Global impact investor LeapFrog Investments has made several new hires to further grow its Climate Investment Strategy Team. The expansion looks to identify of and invest in green growth opportunities which support low-income consumers and producers across emerging markets in Asia and Africa. The strategy focuses on companies offering “cost competitive” green products and services in regions that “enjoy enabling regulatory tailwinds”. Saurabh Bajaj has joined LeapFrog as Director of Investments – South East Asia, Climate, alongside Katherine Owens as Associate Director of Impact Measurement and Management, Climate. Nimish Desai has joined as Associate Director, Climate and Akshi Sharma as Investment Analyst, Climate, with the four joining newly appointed Partner, Nakul Zaveri. Bajaj has over a decade of experience in food systems and agriculture, and joins from private equity firm Proterra Investment Partners Asia. In his new role, he will be responsible for leading LeapFrog’s Climate Investment Strategy in South East Asia, as well as playing an expert role globally on food– related investments. Owens has more than ten years of experience in ESG and sustainability from spells at EY’s Climate Change and Sustainability Services team in London and as Head of Impact and ESG at M-KOPA, and will be in charge of developing LeapFrog’s climate impact focus and measuring its contribution to climate action and adaptation. Desai will be focused on originating, executing, and managing climate investments and portfolios across various sectors.
