Staff Profile
Connor Van Leeuwen, Research and Analytics Associate
Connor recently took time out to speak with IQ about his role at INREV as Research & Analytics Associate, a position that he has held since his promotion from Research & Analytics Analyst at the end of 2021.
‘I have something of a hybrid role these days,’ he explains. ‘On the one hand I have responsibilities for developing and maintaining the Asset Level Index (ALI), while I also spend a large part of my time producing INREV’s evergreen surveys like the Investment Intentions and Capital Raising reports. This means that I’m starting to appreciate INREV’s research insights and data offering in the round – linking all the dots together.’
When he first started out with INREV five years back – while also studying at the University of Applied Sciences in Rotterdam – his focus was very much on the nuts and bolts of creating the Asset Level Index, a project he has been involved with almost from the outset. ‘I’m really pleased to have been part of such a unique INREV project, in terms of its level of detail and the potential it gives for complex analysis, which is a very important initiative for us. It’s been particularly satisfying having the chance to show members the Index’s value and how it can help them to better understand the drivers of asset level performance. I enjoy that member-facing aspect of the position, which complements the data crunching aspects well.’
‘Recently, I have had a special focus on extending the Asset Level Index structure to allow for the collection of ESG key KPI data, something that is arguably the most important topic for the industry today and will shape it for years to come. We are assembling five environmental KPIs, leveraging data that already exists to allow INREV members to gauge their success and also relate that to key industry initiatives such as the CRREM pathways, helping them to assess their transition risk on the road to Zero Carbon. Clearly, members will need to make an additional effort to share this data, but there is a an important value creation component and enhancing transparency and better understanding of ESG journey for the individual data providers and the industry overall, and part of our role at INREV is to reduce the burden of data assembly.’
Recently, I have had a special focus on extending the Asset Level Index structure to allow for the collection of ESG key KPI data, something that is arguably the most important topic for the industry today and will shape it for years to come
‘We are already making good progress collecting the ESG KPI data, with assets worth €35 billion covered since February this year (compared to €205 billion in the whole ALI), and members should be aware that they can still contribute the data even if they’re not involved with the ALI. Making the link between financial and sustainability performance at the asset level, although complex, will be another important potential benefit of this initiative, so I hope most to end up contributing both kinds of data.’
We are already making good progress collecting the ESG KPI data, with assets worth €35 billion covered since February this year (compared to €205 billion in the whole ALI), and members should be aware that they can still contribute the data even if they’re not involved with the ALI
Connor gains particular fulfilment from the way that every INREV development is driven by the membership, which means the need for constant interaction and feedback. On the day of this IQ interview he was due to join an ESG briefing in the afternoon, with preliminary results of the sustainability data up for discussion with contributing members. This is just one instance of the myriad of opportunities for members to comment and make suggestions on the INREV's new initiatives,’ he says, ‘and I’m always glad to listen and to help, both in relation to the back-end processes of data assembly and front-end analysis and reporting. It’s not just important for INREV’s products but also helps make us a more dynamic organisation with the end goal of enhancing transparency and enabling an even more informed decision making for the members.’
You can contact Connor at connor.vanleeuwen@inrev.org
