John Martin

Renewable Energy Growth: Not just hot air, or opaque light!
LinkedIn
December 06, 2021

The rapid growth of solar and wind power in recent years has brought hope in global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit the most dangerous effects of climate change.

Climate Change investments – 3 ‘R’s (Reduce, Remove and Retrofit)
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
November 23, 2022

Climate change efforts are transforming economies, businesses, and the investment landscape around the world, creating opportunities for returns.

The climate challenges we face have significant risks, but equally create significant opportunities.

Investors have taken note and climate change spending has increased exponentially in the last few years.

The growing role of audit in ESG information integrity and assurance
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
October 28, 2022

Accountants and auditors have an expanding role to play in determining the integrity of their company’s or their clients’ disclosure of ESG topics.

Environmental, social, and governance ESG reporting is here to stay — backed by the explosive growth in ESG investment products as well as broader stakeholder interest in ESG performance.

ESG Reporting: A summary of challenges
LinkedIn
July 23, 2022

Organizations are in distinct phases of their ESG reporting. Some companies have included sustainability metrics in their annual reports or in separate reports for many years, but others are in the initial stages. For those reporting, it is an iterative process requiring continuous improvement.

Greenwashing in the news, yet again…. No, not ‘washday’ in Ireland!
LinkedIn
May 31, 2022

Greenwashing is a form of marketing spin in which green PR and green marketing are deceptively used to persuade the public that an organization's products, aims, and policies are environmentally friendly.

Why CIOs must prioritise system integration in 2022 and beyond
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
April 27, 2022

Enterprise software strategies tend to go in cycles, particularly for implementing business applications, but whatever approach is dominant, fundamental challenges such as system integration can remain unresolved. In the past years, we have gone from best-of-breed strategies to the enterprise resource planning ERP suite and back to best-of-breed with the rise of software-as-a-service SaaS.

GPMIP: UK Financial Services – reconciling M&A strategy & deal delivery
LinkedIn
October 01, 2021

At Global PMI Partners we work with clients across many industry and business sectors around the world. Our specialist knowledge, international presence and collaborative approach is key to driving successful outcomes for all.

The Financial Services sector is no different – with varying trends and specifics across banking, insurance, asset and investment management, all impacting M&A strategy, planning and execution in a unique way. Our deep understanding of these areas, and our ability to bring relevant skills, expertise and strategic leadership to develop customised solutions, makes us critical to supporting you in this sector.

Responsible Banking - a myth of truth?
LinkedIn
February 20, 2021

Banks around the world are adapting to the possibility of an irrevocably changed post-pandemic world with shifting customer demands, changing consumer behaviours and client expectations of greater transparency for managing investor savings and assets. A fundamental change of the way banks manage people’s money, transact as intermediaries and deliver customer services is well underway. Some say - a paradigm shift is becoming a reality!

Are Big Oil companies doing enough to change ‘behaviours’?
LinkedIn
February 08, 2021

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) comments in its headlines that, ‘we’re facing the biggest environmental challenge our generation has ever seen. No matter what we’re passionate about, something we care about will be affected by climate change’. Nothing is more truthful or appropriate when considering the ever-increasing demands for food production, energy generation and natural resource consumption on our planet. This essay looks at identifying a related threat and opportunity that a global organization, British Petroleum(BP) in this instance, has as a leading global energy producer with a significant potential impact on climate change. (Source: https://www.wwf.org.uk/effectsofclimatechange)

The End of LIBOR….December 2021 – you think it is way off.?
LinkedIn
September 17, 2019

Not really, given the amount of preparation needed and scope of impact…The interest rate benchmark LIBOR is expected to cease after end-2021.

No, it will, and Firms must transition to alternative rates before this date!

As well as banks and insurers, the discontinuation of LIBOR will affect many asset managers and other firms if they have not prepared for this event.

The Growth of Populism..
LinkedIn
June 20, 2019

The Growth of Populism (a political approach that strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups.)

What are two of the biggest challenges facing the global business community that have been triggered by the rise of populism?

Populism is growing, and globalisation is at fault. The 2008 financial crisis was because of globalisation. Not so, as it is more complex than that.

Transparency and Collaboration....
LinkedIn
February 18, 2019

According to the Kimberley Process website, the Kimberley Process, which began in May 2000, is an international certification scheme that regulates the trade in rough diamonds and aims to prevent or stem the flow of so-called ‘conflict or blood’ diamonds entering the ‘legitimate’ world market. Consisting of states and regional economic integration organizations, significant success has resulted primarily due to the collaborative and integration efforts of these participants.

Globalisation and Power shifts
LinkedIn
May 07, 2018

According to the Economist article Global Power Shift, ’a new global economic order is now emerging to replace the one that has existed since the end of World War II. For the foreseeable future, the global economy will be defined by a complex and continuously shifting set of economic relationships. They will be increasingly interconnected, to be sure, but with ever-changing rules for conducting business across borders.’

Cybersecurity Risks of Automotive Over the Air (OTA) technology
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
December 03, 2022

Modern vehicles increasingly resemble supercomputers on wheels, with many electronic control units (ECUs) networked together as increasingly sophisticated software is installed and updated.

Similar to smartphones, vehicle OEMs will contact vehicle owners remotely about operating system updates that add new features and/or fixes, as well as software bugs and vulnerabilities.

Why businesses cannot afford to overlook cyber security due diligence in modern day M&A
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
November 28, 2022

Cyber-crime is here to stay.

It is considered one of the top risk factors faced by the Financial Services and Banking sectors in modern times.

As digital technology evolves daily and has become a vital component in our lives, it is not surprising cyber-crime is on the rise.

ESG Energy Trends: From Transition to Transformation
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
November 15, 2022

Global efforts to cut carbon emissions have put the energy sector under the microscope, and the pressure is on energy producers to stand out—in an effective way.

Investors, customers, employees, ratings agencies, and regulators are pushing energy companies to set environmental, social, and governance goals.

Plutus Consulting Group Limited
Plutus Consulting Group Limited
August 09, 2005

Plutus Consulting Group is a well-established financial services firm, consulting, advisory and professional services group. We have a 30-year track record in delivering mergers and acquisitions deals, regulation and compliance programmes and sustainable / ESG investment portfolios.

Our core mantra and strategy are to deliver effective and tangible results in an ever more complex and challenging world.
Putting it simply…

ESG and Sustainable IT – Not a ‘Nice to Have’
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
October 30, 2022

Concerns about the environment and climate change are front and centre among world leaders, environmental advocacy groups, and society at large.

Corporate executives and boards want their organizations to do their part — or at least be perceived as doing their part — to help.

Adopting ESG principles and publishing related data is a way to demonstrate to stakeholders (investors, customers, employees, regulators) that your business’ actions align with your values – and theirs.

Kira Conversations: Ep 6 - John Martin, Founder & CEO at Plutus Consulting Group
YouTube
November 13, 2020

Noah Waisberg, Kira Systems' Co-Founder and CEO, recently talked to John Martin, Founder and CEO of Plutus Consulting Group, about how the implications of both Brexit and COVID-19 on the industry.

Unlocking the Power of ESG Data Management: How to Optimize Your Environmental, Social, and Governance Programmes
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
May 24, 2023

In today's fast-paced, globally connected business environment, companies are under increasing pressure to demonstrate their commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. As a result, ESG data management has emerged as a critical component in the strategic planning and decision-making processes of many organisations.

This article will provide an in-depth look at the importance of ESG data in business, key components of ESG data management, and best practices for optimising your ESG programmes.

A Thought Leadership Group Driving Sustainable Change with Plutus ESG Sustainability Hive
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
May 20, 2023

The Plutus ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) sustainability hive will develop into a thought leadership organisation at the forefront of promoting positive change in the search of a more sustainable future.

It will be made up of influential people and groups dedicated to promoting more sustainable behaviours.

‘Greenhushing’ and why is it a risk for sustainability professionals?
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
January 29, 2023

One in every five cases of corporate risk incidents linked to environmental, social and governance ESG issues stems from greenwashing.

It is an issue that every sustainability practitioner has had to grapple with and, as frameworks, the number of corporates called out for false green claims may well grow.

Mergers and Acquisitions: What's the Difference?
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
November 30, 2022

Mergers and acquisitions are two of the most misunderstood words in the business world.

Both terms often refer to the joining of two companies, but there are key differences involved in when to use them.

Rising living costs hamper EV adoption
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
November 29, 2022

The growth in the number of drivers considering buying a BEV Battery Electric Vehicle as their next car has slowed, according to a new study, as two-fifths of UK drivers said they would not even consider an EV or hybrid vehicle when planning on buying a new car.

African minerals are critical for the green energy transition
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
November 27, 2022

In the run-up to the COP27 conference, the United Nations UN warned that current climate responses are insufficient to avoid severe climate change.

To get on track, the transition from fossil fuel-based to renewable energy sources will have to be ramped up significantly.

Africa’s minerals will play a key part in this transition, but to what extent will the continent benefit?

With Sustainability Analytics, Big Data Can Save the World
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
November 26, 2022

Currently, society generates data streams at a speed never seen before.

Whether through social networks, videos, documents, emails, news, among other sources.

For corporations, the ability to analyse, process, and interpret the large volume of data generated has allowed them to better understand their customers' needs, optimize their internal processes, reduce costs, and increase employee productivity.

COP27 outcomes: Key takeaways from the final agreement
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
November 25, 2022

There were moments when a final deal at COP27 looked like it might never happen, but a breakthrough was finally made in Sharm el-Sheikh.

Breakthrough might be too strong a word.

FCA Consultation Paper on UK Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR)
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
November 24, 2022

The UK Financial Services “FCA” published its long-awaited consultation paper in October and in relation to the proposed UK Sustainability Disclosure Requirements “SDR” and investment labels regime.

It is designed to tackle greenwashing and retain trust in sustainable products and is largely a tailored response to the EU’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation and Taxonomy.

Regulations can burden small businesses, but our experience shows they can also help them grow.
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
November 21, 2022

Small businesses are an undoubtedly important part of the economy.

Many critics of regulation believe rules hold businesses back.

Our research reviewed a range of evidence on this issue.

Changing the approach to ESG regulation after Brexit
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
November 19, 2022

ESG has taken the spotlight over the past couple of years due to climate change concerns.

Billions of pounds have poured into sustainable investments - and with so much at stake, it comes as no surprise that investors are starting to ask questions.

In the late Queen s speech earlier this year, the government announced plans to revoke EU financial services regulations and replace them with rules which are designed for the UK.

Since, the FCA has in October launched its own consultation into Sustainable Disclosure Requirements SDR and investment labels.

A clear divergence from the EU.

COP27: a year on from the Glasgow climate pact, the world is burning more fossil fuels than ever
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
November 05, 2022

The burning of fossil fuels caused 86% of all CO₂ emissions during the past ten years. Despite being the primary culprits of global heating, coal, oil, and gas were barely mentioned in the official texts of previous UN climate change summits.

That all changed at COP in November, where the Glasgow climate pact was signed.

The agreement contained the first ever acknowledgement of the role of fossil fuels in causing climate change.

ESG Reporting - the current challenges
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
July 23, 2022

The current practices and the challenges control teams face in ESG reporting and governance is enormous.

DISRUPTING THE TRADITIONAL CONSULTING MODEL
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
April 01, 2022

Summit Diagnostics has partnered with Aspire Performance Improvement to bring to market a
technology-enabled solution to assist clients with business and technology problem solving for the key issues that affect the financial services industry.

Avoid falling short of new operational resilience regulations which came into force in the UK, yesterday.
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
April 01, 2022

In 2021, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) finalised the regulatory policies for operational resilience and set deadlines for firms to comply.
By 31 March 2022, firms must identify their important business services and set impact tolerances for them. And they must be able to show they have done enough mapping and testing to enable them to do so.

Diamonds - does the Kimberley process work?
London School of Economics
November 08, 2019

According to the Kimberley Process website, the Kimberley Process, which began in May 2000, is an international certification scheme that regulates the trade in rough diamonds and aims to prevent or stem the flow of so-called ‘conflict or blood’ diamonds entering the ‘legitimate’ world market. Consisting of states and regional economic integration organizations, significant success has resulted primarily due to the collaborative and integration efforts of these participants.

Globalisation and changing dynamics
London School of Economics
November 01, 2019

How have changes in the dynamics of globalisation over this period impacted the relative power of the US, Europe, and Asia in the global order? (1990 -2015)

Globalisation and growing Populism
London School of Economics
November 01, 2019

What Business Leaders Need To Know About Sustainable Technology
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
October 17, 2022

As the world hopefully progresses to a more sustainable future, innovative technologies have the potential to help us move closer to that challenging goal.

But what do business leaders need to know about these technologies? They need to make informed decisions about incorporating them into their operations and strategies.

How Sustainability Efforts Fall Apart
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
October 08, 2022

The combination of accelerating climate change, rising income inequality, the Covid pandemic, and geopolitical conflicts have created a perfect storm of challenges to how businesses and economies are run.

In response, pressed by investors, employees, activists, and consumers, companies are launching sustainability initiatives at an unprecedented pace.

This is good news.

After many years of scepticism and lack of commitment, companies have finally begun taking sustainability seriously, setting ambitious goals and targets.

The bad news is that there is still a huge gap between ambition and action.

Achieving Operational Resilience through risk management and AI
LinkedIn
January 17, 2022

Gartner defines operational resilience as “initiatives that expand business continuity management programs to focus on the impacts, connected risk appetite and tolerance levels for disruption of product or service delivery to internal and external stakeholders.”

ICRS Central London Hub / University of West London panel discussion - A Career in Sustainability
Plutus Consulting Group Limited
November 16, 2022

There is no unique career path when it comes to sustainability. If you want to find out how you can align your career with making a positive difference to the planet, then come hear from sustainability professionals who can help you get started.

COP26 Key takeaways
ICRS / Eventbrite
November 30, 2021

UKSIF Autumn Conference - How can fixed income investing drive progress to net zero?
UKSIF / LinkedIn
November 24, 2021

Panel: How can fixed income investing drive progress to net zero? Most investors have now developed their approaches for equity investments, but for fixed income investors the path to net-zero has not been so clear. This panel will consider the specific challenges for fixed-income investors and fixed-income portfolios in becoming aligned with net zero pathways. Moderator: Oscar Warwick Thompson, Senior Policy and Communications Manager, UKSIF Nachu Chockalingam, Senior Credit Portfolio Manager, International, Federated Hermes John Martin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Plutus Consulting Group Limited

Company readiness - ESG performance evaluation
Plutus Consulting Group Limited - Issuu
March 14, 2022

How ready is your company to genuinely assess ESG key performance indicators?

A question asked by many.

Responsible Banking: how detangling ESG behaviours will influence the future of banking
YouTube
March 05, 2021

John Martin, CEO of Plutus Consulting addresses the Big Question:
"What should the banking sector be focusing its resources on, what challenges lie ahead, and how does it re-establish 'trust' in the financial system?"

Aimed at C Suite business leaders, Asset managers, senior managers in capital and asset allocation, concerned investors, pension fund administrators, ESG (environmental, social and governance) and sustainability leaders.

The objective of this webinar is to connect owners, investors and managers of private capital/assets to Responsible Banking strategies, in the context of Climate emergency.

The next COP meeting (Nov 2021) in Glasgow has highlighted the need for ESG factors to be in the mainstream of thinking within the financial services sector. It is an undeniable truth that Responsible Banking should be at the forefront of this paradigm.

• An introduction to the technical and practical meaning of Responsible Banking, its objectives and how they align to ESG principles

• The challenges facing the Banking industry together with consumer preferences or demands

• Detangling the many faces of ESG to distinguish important factors needed in client-consulting communication

John Martin is the CEO and Founder of a well-established financial services consulting, advisory and professional services group, with a 30-year track record in delivering Responsible Banking and Sustainable Investment services. His core business strategy is to achieve effective and tangible results, in an increasingly changing world.

John's success is a combination of his extraordinary customer focus, extensive global finance and risk experience, supported by expertise in ESG strategy and a growing sustainable investment sector. His belief that sustainability is not about biology, but about changing behaviours, has attracted extensive market support, leading to the development of transformative change portfolios that maximise capital investments and growth.

The SPAC bubble era is coming to an end?
Thinkers360
March 11, 2022

On Wall Street, 2021 became known as the year of the SPAC and it seemed that everyone was getting involved, from former politicians to sports stars, rappers to celebrities. Special Purpose Acquisition Companies, or SPACs, are nothing new in the world of investing. They first emerged in the 1980s, but have been in the spotlight since 2020, creating a bubble that has grown so big many experts believe it’s about to burst.

SPACs, are publicly traded shells designed with the goal of merging with real profitable businesses and have raised tens of billions of dollars over the past year or so. They have come under fire as many young, volatile businesses are skipping stringent IPO norms, going public and receiving SPAC support without necessarily warranting it.

Furthermore, the SPACs of today are often structured so that those sponsoring them can profit even if regular shareholders suffer. Overly optimistic valuations and forecasting made by companies going public via SPACs—without the usual checks and balances—can grow future profits for some, but not others.

Combine the SPAC hype with the high price-to-earnings ratio (P/E ratio) of the NASDAQ and experienced investors are warning of red flags. A P/E ratio over 30 suggests the market is overvalued, as Wall Street fails to support extreme valuation for long periods of time.

With an average NASDAQ P/E ratio over 30 in the past year, there are fears that it is an indicator of trouble ahead. History shows that a high P/E ratio is a strong signal of stock market crashes.

In a confusing market where overconfidence leads to instability, there are few IPOs and SPACs that are truly worth investing in. Is this the case?

A thought to ponder whilst I continue looking for the next unicorn.

Why we need to fix the plastic pollution problem
Thinkers360
March 08, 2022

Marine litter and plastic pollution endangers aquatic life, threatens human health and results in myriad hidden costs for the economy. Such a global threat requires a global response, and the upcoming United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) is an important stage for governments and policymakers to catalyse change.

At the resumed fifth session of UNEA – held virtually and in-person in Nairobi between February and March – world leaders will focus on plastics and deliberate on proposals with the aim of establishing an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee INC to work towards a legally binding global agreement.

Marine litter and plastic pollution can alter habitats and natural processes, reducing ecosystems’ ability to adapt to the climate crisis, according to UNEP’s From Pollution to Solution report. This affects millions of people’s livelihoods, food security and social well-being. Urgent, multilateral action is needed to identify where plastic waste enters waterways and how to put in place ‘prevention’ incentives to minimise this occurrence.

In North America, through the Mississippi River Plastic Pollution Initiative, UNEP engages citizen science by working with thousands of community volunteers to track upstream and coastal plastic pollution data along the Mississippi River. This data is collected using a free, open-source mobile app called the Marine Debris Tracker.

In South-East Asia, UNEP’s CounterMEASURE project identifies sources and pathways of plastic pollution in river systems, particularly the Mekong and the Ganges. With the use of technologies and innovative approaches like GIS, machine learning and drones, the project has developed plastic leakage models for localities in six countries that can be scaled and replicated across continents.

To highlight the scale of the issue, UNEP has prepared a plastics exhibit in Nairobi for UNEA. The exhibit presents visitors with a visual representation of key data related to the plastic pollution problem by using plastic waste collected on the Kenyan coast.

UNEP’s body of work demonstrates that the problem of plastic pollution doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The environmental, social, economic and health risks of plastics need to be assessed alongside other environmental stressors, like climate change, ecosystem degradation and resource use.

Identifying where plastic emissions are coming from really matters for how we tackle it. Rich countries emit very little – this means domestic strategies to reduce plastics in these countries will not make much difference to ocean plastics.

What rich countries can do is support low-to-middle income countries in improving waste management infrastructure - it’s key to tackling plastic pollution. And, importantly, they can ban the export of any plastics to other countries where it could be mismanaged.

Understanding the distribution of emissions across the world’s rivers is also crucial. Our strategy for tackling this problem is vastly different if we only must focus on a few or even tens of the world’s largest rivers (as previous studies suggested) versus thousands of smaller ones. 

To stop plastic pollution in our oceans we need a global approach to reducing plastic waste and managing it appropriately to stop it leaking into the natural environment. Focusing on a few rivers will not be enough.

TCFD reporting - ESG data
Thinkers360
January 27, 2022

The UK is becoming and will become a world leader in sustainability reporting, being the first major economy to implement regulation on the TCFD framework, this April.

Time will tell.

The TCFD framework was developed by the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, established by the G20 - to encourage companies to report on their climate-related financial risks and opportunities, setting expectations of investor requirements of better understanding company’s exposure and how they manage risk.

  I don’t like, ‘To encourage companies’ (Too soft)

There are two sets of recommendations, one for non-financial companies, and one for financial institutions, whilst not mandatory yet, but are intended to provide guidance on how companies can provide relevant information about climate change risks and opportunities in a consistent way.

ESG reporting has its challenges –confusing voluminous data, not standardised and lacking consistency.

To start with. (I can see my English teacher frowning already!)

We have a long way to go.

Let us have a chat.

Chief Executive Officer and Founder

Location: Global, based in the United Kingdom    Fees: 1500 per day

Service Type: Service Offered

Plutus Consulting Group is a well-established financial services firm, consulting, advisory and professional services group. We have a 30-year track record in delivering mergers and acquisitions deals, regulation and compliance programmes and sustainable / ESG investment portfolios.

Our core mantra and strategy are to deliver effective and tangible results in an ever more complex and challenging world.

Putting it simply…

We listen, we learn, we lead

Chief Executive Officer and Founder

Location: Global, based in the United Kingdom    Fees: 1500 per day

Service Type: Service Offered

-As an Integration Director, with 30 years’ global specialist banking and financial services experience, I have a track record of strategic and operational leadership of large-scale corporate M&A and business transformation programmes that have delivered multi-million-pound operational efficiencies – creating shareholder value, client delivery and SME support – understanding end to end lifecycles from planning, execution to benefits realisation.
-I am known for guiding and influencing C-Suite stakeholders in the strategic design and operational execution of the most complex, business-critical, and disruptive business integration and divestment initiatives. With expertise in strategy, delivery and as an SME, I troubleshoot plans and integration challenges, breaking down the barriers to effective change management.
-I enjoy the process of understanding high-risk and high-profile M&A and organisational integration challenges, building and leading teams through transformative change, mitigating regulatory risk and reducing operating costs. As a Big ‘4’ trained Chartered Accountant, I also bring extensive understanding and capability to managing large programme budgets in the hundreds of millions of pounds.