In May, we convened the Perseus Engagement & Communications  Advisory Group, co-chaired by Tide and Icebreaker One. 

Date: 6th May 2025 10:00-11:30 BST

Location: online

Co-Chairs: Zarina Banu (Tide); Laura Townshend, (IB1)

Secretariat: IB1

The meeting aims were as follows:

  1. Agree the next steps for each organisation on securing internal buy-in 
  2. Agree the next steps for each organisation on communicating their work with Perseus 
  3. Agree new meeting cadence 

Summary:

  • It was noted that:
    • Key points which can help internal buy-in include:
      • Communicating the strength of Perseus’ quorum of financial institutions, and how it is a growing ecosystem of organisations with an aligned value/goal
      • Collaborating in a pre-competitive environment – emphasising the advantage in being at the table discussions rather than inheriting rules.
      • How Perseus is broadly accelerates sustainable finance
      • Why Perseus is a good idea to be involved with now, and in the future
      • The longer term value in having and maintaining competitive advantage by being involved
      • Focussing on the end to end user journey
      • Early consultation across teams to gather internal comfort and support
    • It was noted that members should amplify the messaging around Perseus’ opportunity isn’t just green lending but transforming lending landscape and that there is very little you have to do to make your entire portfolio green by being engaged with Perseus.
  • It was agreed by all attendees that:
    • AG4 will restructure to be shorter, sharper, and more regular. We agreed to have monthly 45 minute meetings going forward in 2025. 
    • Actions recommended to the AG for internal buy-in, and that these recommendations would be passed up to the SG too:
      • IB1 team to create an updated deck – covering purpose and value of Perseus for participating organisations – for members to adapt and use in their internal context 
      • Members to aim to engage a senior decision-maker in their organisation in the next two months 
      • Members who haven’t yet shared or published a testimonial/endorsement to do so, to establish the range of comparator organisations already engaging in Perseus
    • There are 4 actions recommended to the AG for external buy in, and that these recommendations would be passed up to the SG too:
      • Mention Perseus to at least one journalist contact over the next month, using the live Pilot as a hook
      • Share news in the next month that the Development Bank of Wales is using Perseus in its loan process
      • Share a piece of content on LinkedIn over the next month about why your organisation has engaged in Perseus
      • Work with a senior leader to support them to share a LinkedIn post on Perseus

Next meeting date: 10-10:45 3rd June 2025

Formal records are maintained by the secretariat. These are confidential to the Advisory Group Members.