Heike Schmitz
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
Germany
Co-leading Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer’s EMEA ESG practice, Heike Schmitz is a notable authority on EU sustainability regulation and green commercial law matters. Bringing longstanding expertise in the funds space, Schmitz advises asset managers, funds, insurers, and pensions investors on green investments, regulatory questions, and the integration of sustainable and ESG-aligned practices.
A key client is major asset management group Unigestion, whom Schmitz is assisting in the implementation of sustainable finance regulation and responsible investment approaches across its whole business unit range. Within the mandate, Schmitz advises on sustainability-related disclosure and reporting requirements and compliance and supports the client in designing responsible investment strategies that align with articles 8 and 9 of the SFDR.
Schmitz takes a leading role on major sustainability initiatives within the investment community, serving as the co-chair of the Insurance Development Forum’s Infrastructure Taskforce and sitting on the ESG committee of private equity association Invest Europe. As part of her contribution to the ESG working group of the German Alternative Investments Association, Schmitz co-authored the organisation’s position paper on impact investing.