Meet the manager: Sanjeev Lakhani
Co-Portfolio Manager of Impax Environmental Markets.
If you weren’t a fund manager, what job would you do?
I find it hard to think of a role that doesn’t involve investing. However, I have always been curious about what it would be like to be on the other side of the fence and work within one of the many fantastic companies in which we are invested. Particularly in an operational role where you really influence the day-to-day trajectory of the business.
What was the proudest moment of your career?
Becoming a portfolio manager on the Specialists strategy and on Impax Environmental Markets is certainly a recent highlight and I’m very excited about what we can achieve. Going right back to the start of my career, I joined the investment industry the very month Lehman Brothers went bust and I’m still proud of how I was able to add value during that period where a lot of seasoned investors were shell-shocked. That period has served me well in my career and helped me not to panic and to keep a calm head when the skies periodically darken over equity markets.
What was the most difficult moment of your career and why?
I certainly found the early parts of the Covid period a very challenging time. My daughter had been born a couple of months earlier. Having to suddenly be housebound whilst much of the world was shut down, trying to determine if this strange new virus was a severe health threat or a non-event. Juggling a new born and trying to perform my role during a period of extreme volatility where many new narratives about how dramatically different the post-Covid would be were being espoused, was certainly a very challenging period.
What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?
Focus on the inputs and worry less about the outputs. If you stick to your conviction, process and investment discipline that will eventually be reflected in the share price. In the short term the market as they say is a voting machine.
Focus on the inputs and worry less about the outputs.
Sanjeev Lakhani, Co-Portfolio Manager of Impax Environmental Markets.
Away from the workplace, how do you spend your time?
I am contributing to the statistic of padel becoming one of the fastest growing sports globally having taken it up a year ago. I also enjoy playing chess and it’s something I have recently restarted as a hobby. Other than that, I have my hands full with two young children and spending time with them is the staple activity on my weekends.
Tell us about the last book you read.
I have been trying to read some “classics” that I have never got around to. I recently read East of Eden by John Steinbeck which follows two American families over three generations. The book covers a lot of themes around human behaviours and values with fantastic character development. It’s a real page turner and highly recommended.
What is your favourite film of all time and why?
The Departed is a fantastic film. A thrilling watch and very well written with some outstanding acting. Although I must confess my guilty pleasure is Back to the Future!
In your personal life, what would you like to achieve in the next 12 months?
I have a long-standing ambition to start learning a new language but have for various reasons not found the time to start. So that is something I would like to make meaningful progress on in the next 12 months.
