UK pension scheme Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) has named Sandra Carlisle as its new Head of Responsible Investment. Carlisle will lead on responsible investment at USS Investment Management (USSIM), the principal investment manager and adviser to the scheme. She will join USSIM from 2 January 2024. She has more than two decades of sustainable and responsible investment experience. Carlisle most recently worked at Jupiter Asset Management, where she spent nearly two years as Head of Sustainability. She was also Head of Responsible Investment for three and a half years at Newton Investment Management and just short of five years at HSBC Global Asset Management. Carlisle was also a Board Member at the UN-convened Principles for Responsible Investment for three years. USS has total assets of approximately £75.5 billion (US$92.5 billion). Simon Pilcher, CEO at USSIM, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to appoint someone of Sandra’s calibre. As a universal owner, USS will be impacted by large systemic risks presented by issues such as climate change and loss of biodiversity, and we need to engage with business, governments, and regulators to minimise the financial impact these might have on our investments. Sandra’s work in this area will form a vital part of how we operate.”
