Career conversations: ESG integration is here to stay

I think that my CFA® designation has strengthened my ability to create value to influence my organization because I feel equipped to understand the investment thesis, but also to bring that sustainability lens that would resonate with the reality of the portfolio company.

My name is François Crémet. I'm a Senior Director in the Sustainable Investment team at CDPQ, and I'm based in Montréal. I was born and raised in France and I came at the age of 19 to Canada to study at HEC Montréal. I graduated in market finance and started my career in strategy and management consulting.

Over the years, I've supported banks, insurance companies, asset managers, and that's what really led me to join CDPQ in 2017. My first role at CDPQ was to support the globalization program of the organization. It was a fantastic experience that led to the better integration of international offices in our investment and operational processes and through the creation of two regional hubs in London and Singapore.  

Then, I supported the setup of the Investor Leadership Network, which is a collaborative platform of investors interested in long-term growth and sustainability. It's about at that time that I've decided to go for the CFA (Program)with a desire to enhance my technical knowledge of the financial industry.

In our industry, the CFA® designation is really seen as a badge of commitment and credibility, and since I obtained it, I've seen my responsibilities broaden. Notably by being invited to join an investment committee in my organization.  

The CFA® Program was all about getting the technical knowledge that I need to better interact with my peers on the investment side. I really wanted to speak the same language and to be able to understand their realities in order to better advise them in their decision-making process.

Combined with my sustainability and consulting background, I feel that the CFA Program enhanced my ability to create value and to advise my colleagues on the investment side and to guide my colleagues from the same team in the same direction.

I believe that to make better decisions, we need a diversity of thoughts, of backgrounds, of profiles. I would really like to encourage all of those coming from non-traditional backgrounds, not from the inner circle of investment professionals, to see the CFA (Program) as a way to accelerate their career because it can be very well combined with different academic and professional path.

To meet the challenge we face, the investment industry will need diverse profiles, and I think the CFA (Program) can be seen as a link between those coming from that industry and those coming from a non-traditional background.

I am convinced that the integration of ESG considerations in the investment decision-making process is a trend and a trend that is here to stay. It's essential to create a world that is more sustainable, that is more inclusive, and as such, combining a CFA Program with a sustainability background is actually a great way to have a successful career and also to have a positive impact in the economy.