Rowan Griffin - Colonial First State Global Asset Management

Rowan Griffin is the Head of Sustainability for the Property and Alternative Investments division at Colonial First State Global Asset Management, the consolidated asset management division of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

The Property and Alternative Investments division has $23 billion funds under management, consisting of 3 listed property trusts, 8 unlisted property funds, 3 retail property syndicates, 2 property mandates, 5 unlisted infrastructure funds, 15 infrastructure mandates and 46 retail assets in Asia.

Rowan has over 25 years of property experience, in fields of project and development management, investment, operations and general management.

In his current role, he is responsible for setting strategy and direction for the property operations Sustainability Agenda, which is strongly aligned to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment, of which the company is a signatory.

He is also responsible for ensuring the application and implementation of this strategy, including direction setting of GBCA rating standards for developments, refurbishments, fit-outs and existing buildings, as well as performance ratings.

As part of his role Rowan is responsible for providing thought leadership on the sustainability issues facing the property and infrastructure sectors, keeping stakeholders informed on ESG issues, and helping to embed the ESG principles into the culture and management practices of the business.

Rowan has a Bachelor of Building Science, from the University of Natal, South Africa and a Bachelor of Commerce, University of South Africa, and is a member of Property Council of Australia's National Sustainability roundtable.