Shilpan is Head of Sales & Client Relations (EMEA) at DOOR Ventures, a fintech firm that operates in the global asset management and wealth management industry to help improve engagement and create transparency between asset managers and fund investors. Responsible for managing sales and client relations, Shilpan is also the ESG Lead at Door, helping build ESG question sets in order to facilitate sustainable investing due diligence.

Shilpan is a member of City Hive's ACT Stewardship and Global Leadership Councils to help build an inclusive investment management industry. Hosted exclusively on Door, the ACT Framework enables investment firms to assess, track, and create cultural change.

Prior to Door, Shilpan has held roles within Business Development teams at Intermediate Capital Group and AXA Investment Managers, dealing with both institutional and wholesale clients, consultants and platforms, across traditional and alternatives fund markets.

Why is corporate culture becoming more important to you?

Corporate culture is a key focus area to understand the heart of an organisation and how they conduct themselves. This has a knock-on effect on perception which is an important part of who you want to do business with. Looking more deeply into DEI, we all recognise that differences in thoughts and cognitive diversity makes allocators feel their investment choices are fully scrutinised.

In your view, why is it important to set a higher standard of stewardship and behaviour within the investment industry?

The investment industry should always be held to high standards, so all participants are held accountable. This is important, as without clear guidelines and transparency, it becomes difficult to enforce change. Stewardship, diversity and focus on general corporate culture has never typically had the spotlight and is usually seen as a bolt-on to consider after the day job – by putting greater attention and setting standards, as we see with other regulations, this can help create impact and change outdated mindsets.

Why did you decide to sit on the ACT Stewardship Council and what does it mean to you personally?

I am a strong believer that greater representation, positive culture, and diversity are all ingredients for successful businesses. Whilst we can all talk about our intentions, the ACT Framework helps articulate where firms are on their journey, holding themselves accountable. By partnering with City Hive to host the Framework on Door, the tools are there for manager research teams to assess and track asset managers over time through one standard format. Door’s premise is to standardise and create transparency between asset managers and fund investors, and we believe the ACT Framework is a fundamental piece of reporting that all firms should look to complete and signal their behaviours to the industry as it evolves. This is why there is no cost for asset managers and fund investors to join, to complete and make requests of the Framework, removing barriers for industry participation. Personally, these are the sort of reporting standards that I would want to see endorsed that is easily trackable. Sitting on the Stewardship Council and Global Leadership Council gives me a 360-view of how fund investors and asset managers engage with the Framework, and my role of overseeing asset managers on Door gives me feedback on trends which I can work with City Hive to develop the ACT Framework. It is a privilege to be working alongside so many stakeholders who aspire for positive change with meaningful action.