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

Date: 4 November 2025 10:00-10:45 BST

Location: online

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

Secretariat: IB1

Meeting Aims

  1. Agree plan for Perseus report launch and AGM

Summary:

It was noted that:

  • This marks a transition from financing green activities to greening finance more broadly — embedding sustainability directly into mainstream financial systems and products rather than treating it as a niche.

It was further noted that:

  • Banks are exploring new incentives such as offering higher interest rates on savings or current accounts for SMEs demonstrably working towards net zero, creating a new category of incentive-based finance.

It was discussed that:

  • Financial service providers are increasingly recognising the wider potential of Perseus to support both debt and credit finance, and that alignment with the Smart Data Act is encouraging banks to think differently about smart data in finance.
  • Terms such as “net zero” and “sustainability” remain politically sensitive, and the narrative should emphasise practical solutions and market transformation rather than ideology.
  • The narrative must balance macro and micro perspectives — connecting the large-scale market transformation enabled by Perseus with clear, practical benefits for individual SMEs.
  • For many SMEs, accessing finance is not emerging as a primary concern for engaging with sustainability initiatives; rather, their interest lies in ease and simplicity, and saving time. It was noted that positioning Perseus as something that removes friction — automating data sharing, reducing paperwork, and making participation effortless — will resonate more strongly.
  • The upcoming Perseus report and AGM communications should position Perseus as enabling a market-wide transformation of the financial system, supported by the visible progress of members and partners.

It was agreed that:

  • The communications narrative should evolve to reflect this broader ambition while keeping language pragmatic, low-cost, and focused on productivity, efficiency, and the unlocking of private-sector finance.
  • Both levels of storytelling will be needed: macro to convey ambition and system impact; micro to make outcomes tangible and relatable to businesses and partners.
  • 2026 AG4 meetings would continue to be on a monthly basis but with ‘permission to cancel’ when prudent.