LSEG opens sustainable finance unit in Singapore

London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) has launched a dedicated sustainable finance innovation unit in Singapore as part of its LSEG Labs network.

The new unit, which is supported by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), will focus on creating sustainable finance capabilities to accelerate innovation and advance technology across the country’s fintech ecosystem, the group said.

The team at the new Singapore-based unit have expertise in areas including data science, data engineering, design thinking and environmental, social and governance (ESG), and will work closely with global financial institutions, corporates, universities and industry associations in Singapore to provide solutions for market participants.

Among the challenges they might work to solve are accelerating investment into green infrastructure projects, measuring climate risks and making ESG disclosure quicker and easier.

David Harris, global head of sustainable finance, data and analytics at LSEG, said: “We are excited to gain the backing of MAS to support the business, finance and investor community in accelerating the transition to a net-zero, sustainable economy.

“This is a powerful initiative given both of our positions at the heart of international capital markets and our combined focus on innovation and global collaboration in sustainable investment and finance.”

LSEG Labs, which has locations in London and Singapore, works with the group’s clients and partners to apply strategic analysis, emerging technology, data science and design thinking to solve “pressing problems” faced by the financial industry.

Geoff Horrell, group head of innovation at LSEG, added that LSEG Labs is a combination of its multi-disciplinary innovation process with an “open approach” to partnership.

“By focusing on opportunities like sustainable finance that span LSEG’s three business divisions – data and analytics, capital markets and post-trade – we will be able to deliver transformational customer experiences,” Horrell said.