Individual Influencer in Sustainable Finance - Paul Douglas, Accuro Trust

Paul Douglas was the winner of the 2025 Individual Influencer award at the Sustainable Finance Awards.

|3 Jun 2026

At Accuro, sustainability is embedded into how we govern our business, support our people and advise our clients. We believe that long term financial success is closely linked to environmental responsibility, social impact and strong, transparent governance, and this belief underpins our approach across the firm.

Sustainability is overseen at both Group and Jersey Board level and is integrated into our business risk framework. Clear accountability, defined KPIs and structured reporting ensure that progress is monitored consistently and that sustainability considerations form part of everyday decision making, rather than existing as a standalone initiative.

Over the past three years, Paul Douglas, MD of Accuro Jersey has pioneered the development of the Accuro Sustainability and Impact Playbook, designed to translate strategic commitments into practical action. This resource brings together best practice from across the business and from wider and adjacent industries, and has been shared across the Accuro Group. Local Sustainability Impact Forums are responsible for its implementation and report progress directly to the Group executive board, ensuring alignment between local activity and Group level oversight.

Paul declines business from potential clients where their holdings or their ambitions are demonstrably in conflict with those of Accuro. He has pioneered the development of trust deeds and client investment risk assessments with specific reference to sustainable wealth, which clients can use to holistically reflect their goals.

Paul has an innate ability to spot opportunities for collaboration and progress and making key introductions that compound positive impact. An example is introducing Jersey government to a leading biotech company offering sustainable food and sewage waste management solutions for the island.

Testimonial

I have had the privilege of working with Paul Douglas on Accuro’s journey to measure their impact and alignment to the UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDG’s) over the past two years. Paul combines deep expertise and unique impact leadership in wealth management with a rare ability to translate complex sustainability principles into practical, actionable strategies that create measurable social and environmental impact.

What sets Paul apart is his holistic approach. He does not see sustainability as a stand-alone objective but integrates it across every level of his work—from advising UHNW clients on impact investing and philanthropy to shaping the strategic direction of Accuro Group. His efforts have helped clients align financial success with positive societal outcomes, demonstrating that doing well and doing good are not mutually exclusive.

What I find particularly inspiring is Paul’s capacity for collaboration and vision. He introduces stakeholders to innovative solutions, whether connecting Jersey government with sustainable technology companies or mentoring peers in the finance sector on responsible investment strategies. His approach is always values-driven, strategic, and inclusive, ensuring that positive impact is multiplied across networks.

What makes Paul stand out is his reputation. His peers and collaborators acknowledge his capability as a sustainability impact leader, appreciating how he has been able to generate strategic opportunity for his business using this capability. In an industry where leadership often focuses solely on profit, Paul is a refreshing example of integrity, foresight, and commitment. He demonstrates that sustainable finance is not just a responsibility but an opportunity to reshape the future of wealth and investment.

Paul Douglas is a true catalyst for change – an individual whose vision, influence, and dedication are driving tangible progress towards a more sustainable financial industry, both locally and internationally.

Amy King, Head of Sustainability, Paragon

At Accuro, a key focus of our approach has been building capability and shared understanding among our people, an area actively championed by Paul to support long‑term cultural change. We recognise that meaningful, lasting change depends on engagement and education, and we have therefore invested in a wide range of ESG and sustainability training opportunities. These range from Carbon Literacy, Equilibrium Futures, and Cambridge sustainability programmes to specialist sessions with investment managers and regular micro learning updates. Sustainability is also embedded into performance management at both office and individual level, reinforcing its importance as a core part of how we operate.

Alongside cultural and professional development, we have taken practical steps to reduce our environmental impact. We have completed Scope 1 and 2 carbon footprint assessments and continue to invest in understanding Scope 3 emissions, using these insights to inform our transition planning. Energy efficiency measures, sustainable procurement policies, waste reduction initiatives and a digital first approach to meetings all contribute to lowering our footprint. Engagement with employees has been central to this process, extending to a survey of commuting habits and targeted recommendations for more sustainable local travel options.

Our commitment to sustainability naturally extends to our client work and to our role within the wider professional community. ESG and impact considerations are embedded into investment decisions, trust structures and risk appetite frameworks, and recent projects have included renewable energy development, nature based solutions and impact investments. Through this work, we aim to play a constructive role in supporting higher standards of sustainability across Jersey’s finance industry.

We are also committed to contributing positively to Jersey’s natural environment. Through long term partnerships and hands on involvement, we support local conservation and biodiversity initiatives, including rewilding projects, woodland protection and bee conservation programmes. These activities allow our people to engage directly with sustainability in a way that is tangible and locally meaningful.

Transparency and accountability are central to our approach. We have reported annually on our progress through the UN Global Compact and publish Group wide greenhouse gas emissions reporting aligned to recognised methodologies. This enables us to track progress, identify areas for improvement and provide stakeholders with a clear and credible view of our journey.

Winning this award is an important acknowledgement of the progress we have made to date, and of the leadership role played by Paul Douglas in embedding sustainability across the business. It recognises the collective effort of our people and reinforces our commitment to embedding sustainability at the heart of our business for the long term.