ESG Investor’s weekly round-up of new hires in the sustainable investing sector.
The Brunel Pension Partnership has announced the appointment of David Vickers to the role of chief investment officer, who will take up his new position from January 2021. Previously head of multi-asset, EMEA at Russell Investments, where he managed a team responsible for £12 billion in AUM across both DB and DC pension schemes. Vickers will bring considerable expertise in multi-asset investing to Brunel. Prior to his time at Russell, he held the position of multi-asset manager at Sarasin & Partners, and investment manager at Baring Asset Management.
Brunel has already launched a number of listed market and private market funds and expects Vickers’ prior experience to be of particular importance within a role in which leading teams across listed markets, private markets and responsible investment forms a core part. Brunel is one of eight UK pooled local government pension schemes, managing £30 billion in pension assets for 10 local government pension scheme funds.
“I’m looking forward to working within the framework of an asset owner, and alongside Brunel’s LGPS partners, building not just on the impressive investment performance, but also on the market-leading commitment towards integrating sustainable principles in the stewardship of its capital,” said Vickers as part of the announcement.
M&G Investments has announced the creation of a new stewardship and sustainability team, to be led by Rob Marshall, who currently heads the firm’s global research equity and credit team.
The creation of the team is a response to increased client demand for ESG integrated, sustainable and impact products, and will develop a roadmap to meet M&G’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions across its investment portfolios by 2050. The team of 13 professionals will engage with investee companies to encourage transition to sustainable business models, and will be a centre of excellence for M&G’s range of impact solutions. The team will incorporate the firm’s new climate engagement programme, which focuses on companies with high carbon exposure, and will support investors seeking sustainable options.
Alongside his prior role with M&G, Marshall also led the firm’s credit research team, and is expected to play an important role in M&G’s carbon emissions commitment plan. “We are rising to the unprecedented environmental and societal challenges the world faces by further building our capabilities to invest sustainably and responsibly while continuing to deliver the long-term performance customers want,” said Marshall.
