Christopher Knowles is an independent adviser specialising in the financing of different types of sustainable assets. He has been engaged in the finance of infrastructure, climate and environmental assets for over 40 years, much of this time with the European Investment Bank. As EIB’s Head of Infrastructure Funds and Climate Finance he oversaw the EIB’s volume of climate financing grow tenfold to $20bn p.aand led the creation of a $3bn portfolio of investment in 60 equity, debt and blended fund vehicles, the majority dedicated to environment and climate assets.

Many of these supported SME vehicles, sometimes following highly innovative models. He has a broad, practical knowledge of the sustainable finance agenda, and is acknowledged internationally as a thought leader on climate finance. He has worked at all levels of the public and private financial worlds, throughout the EU and in many emerging markets. Currently he serves as NED on a number of investment funds, advises various policy advocacy and research entities, and works with startup fund management teams, all in the sustainable space.He has a BA Econ. and an MSc in Management Science from the University of Durham.