[3-5 December 2025]

The Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF) hosted its annual conference on ‘Responsible investing in an uncertain world’ in Bournemouth. The conference brought together asset owners, policymakers, and thought leaders to tackle the critical questions shaping responsible investment in the current global landscape.

On day two of the conference, TrustWorks CEO and founder, Josie Lianna Kaye, was invited to speak alongside strategic partners Sam Jones, President & Co-founder,   Heartland Initiative and Camille Bisconte de Saint Julien,  Human Rights & Social Lead, LBP AM, on a panel moderated by Councillor George Jabbour, LAPFF Executive,  entitled ‘Reducing risks and impacts in conflict areas: what can investors do?’ Josie’s intervention highlighted the legal, regulatory and normative imperative for investor-led engagement on the topic of responsible business in conflict-affected and high-risk areas (CAHRAs) and underscored the need for greater understanding amongst investors of both international humanitarian law (IHL) and heightened human rights due diligence (hHRDD) to enable more meaningful and impactful engagements with MNC representatives on the topic.

The panel discussion also covered some of the key topics that investors must consider when it comes to identifying and managing the most salient and material risks within their portfolios associated with direct operations and value chain activities in CAHRAs.

In 2026 and in collaboration with Heartland Initiative, TrustWorks will publish investor guidance on portfolio analysis and company engagement for CAHRAs.

TrustWorks was grateful to the LAPFF colleagues for the kind invitation to contribute and participate.