SPEAKERS
MAGNUS AGERSTRÖM
CO-FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR
CLEANTECH SCANDINAVIA
Magnus Agerström is the Managing Director of Cleantech Scandinavia. With more than 70 investors and industry companies from around the world in a membership network, Cleantech Scandinavia has become one of the most influential actors in the Nordic cleantech space. Magnus co-founded Cleantech Scandinavia in 2007. Before this he co-founded sustainability consultant/software company, Natlikan Sustainability AB, where he was Managing Director for many years and from which he made a successful exit in 2011. In 2022 he also co-founded Cleantech for Nordics with the support from Breakthrough Energy. Cleantech for Nordics focuses on engaging with policymakers to support the growth of cleantech. Magnus holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and has a passion for Environmental Economics. He is convinced that the way we use our economic system will have to be reformed for us to solve the big sustainability challenges ahead.
SERGIO HENRIQUE
HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY
PLANET FIRST PARTNERS
Sergio spent more than 15 years in various technical and managerial positions in the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment and associated agencies before engaging with sustainable finance in 2017. Since 2021, he has been actively engaged with sustainable investments and has served in 2022, 2023, and 2024 on the Expert Advisory Panel of the Earthshot Prize. He is Partner and Head of Sustainability for Planet First Partners.
He started his career on the Brazilian National Institute for the Environment, at first working with the environmental assessment of energy projects and then moving over to Protected Areas. During his time in government he was appointed as Director of Protected Areas and then deputy National Secretary for Biodiversity, having raised USD 230 million for the third phase of the Amazon Region Protected Areas Program. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and a MPhil in Animal Biology from the University of Brasilia and is finishing his PhD at the University of Oxford. In the past 6 years Sergio started working with ESG and sustainable finance and in early 2021 joined the EU Platform on Sustainable Finance as a sherpa to the representative of the NGO Agent Green, reappointed in 2023 for the second iteration of the platform. In February 2021 Sergio joined Planet First Partners as Head of Sustainability, being promoted to Partner in January 2024.
AYLA BAJWA
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT SUSTAINABILITY
DP WORLD
Ayla has over 20 years of experience as an international sustainability expert, recognized for her work in corporate sustainability and sustainable development working with UN entities, governments, and multinational companies.
Ayla is currently Group Senior Vice President for Group Sustainability at DP World, spearheading the global delivery of DP World’s sustainability strategy “Our World Our Future”. She leads the coordination of DP World’s key responsible business practices and 3 legacy areas: Education, Water, and Women, unifying DP World’s commitment to working sustainably across all its worldwide business functions with a multistakeholder lens.
Ayla’s previous positions include Executive Director to the UN Global Compact UAE and Head of Sustainability for the Chalhoub Group, a leading luxury retailer, building its sustainability function ground up. Ayla is also the founder of ampUz, an impact and sustainability technology and advisory company that advocates for a data-driven approach to measuring progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
STEPHANIE ASGILL
DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY AND GENDER EQUALITY
DUBAI HOLDINGS
As the Head of Sustainability at Dubai Holding, Stephanie is responsible for developing the group-wide sustainability strategy and driving the integration of sustainability across the lines of business.
She holds a BA and MA in Geography from the University of Oxford and an MSc with Distinction in International Development and African Studies from the University of Edinburgh. Her Master’s thesis on the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative was published in the Journal of Critical African Studies.
With over 18 years of global sustainability experience, 15 of those at a multinational energy company, Stephanie’s expertise covers a broad spectrum; from sustainability strategy to ESH risk management, impact assessment, and philanthropy. She has held both corporate and operational roles across a diverse portfolio, including in the Netherlands, UK, Iran, Qatar, Turkey, and Iraq. She was instrumental in developing Shell’s carbon policies and represented the company at COP17 in Durban. In Iraq, she led environmental and safety initiatives for Shell, demonstrating her capability in operational sustainability.
Stephanie, a dedicated sustainability advocate, was selected for the 2041 Foundation International Antarctic Expedition, underlining her commitment to climate change education and environmental conservation.
VIJAY BAINS
CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER
EMIRATES NBD
Vijay is the Group Head of ESG, Chief Sustainability Officer for Emirates NBD Group, and leads the Sustainability strategy and implementation across the Emirates NBD Group. Vijay is responsible for the Sustainable & Transition Finance Strategy & Implementation for the Emirates NBD Group, as well as the implementation of Environmental, Social, and Governance programmes. Vijay has worked in Sustainability for 20 years across Banking for the European Bank of Reconstruction & Development, and Lloyds Banking Group, as well as working in consulting for KPMG UK in Sustainable Finance & ESG Strategy. Vijay has extensive experience in Sustainable Finance framework design, due diligence, and sustainability risk management practices. Vijay is a member of the UAE Banking Federation Sustainability Leadership Council, DIFC Sustainable Finance Council, ADGM Sustainable Finance Leadership Council, World Economic Forum of Sustainability Leaders & member of S&P Sustainability Leadership Council. Vijay is a Chartered Environmental Scientist. Vijay is a Member of the Royal Geographical Society.