ESG Investor’s weekly round-up of moves and appointments in the sustainable investing sector, including ThomasLloyd, MEAG, Alpha Real Capital, DLA Piper, and UKSIF.
ThomasLloyd, the Zurich-headquartered global impact investment firm, has appointed Smita Nakhooda as its Head of Impact and ESG. Nakhooda joins the firm from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), where most recently she held the role of Principal Results Management specialist. At ADB, she was responsible for leading the integration of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the bank’s policies and key performance indicators, as well as developing impact measurement and management standards to mobilise the financing needed to deliver on the SDGs. Nakhooda has nearly two decades of experience in environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and robust governance practices, particularly in emerging markets. In her new role, she will work across the group, focusing on both internal and external initiatives, as well as further developing the firm’s investment framework. She will also be responsible for leading on ThomasLloyd’s commitment to “continuously evolve its policies and practices in line with industry best practice and the global sustainability agenda”, and ensure the firm remains at the forefront of impact investing. Michael Sieg, ThomasLloyd’s Chief Executive, said: “Smita brings unique local insights and on-the-ground expertise that will be key in helping us tap into the most compelling sustainable infrastructure investment opportunities in the world’s fastest growing economies.”
MEAG, the investment management firm for Munich Re and ERGO, has continued to expand its ESG division with the appointment of Dr Moritz Waibel in the newly created position of Head of ESG and Sustainable Finance. Waibel lead the business development team responsible for the overarching ESG strategy and the further development of ESG at MEAG. Waibel has been with firm since 2001, and was most recently Head of Legal, Regulatory & Compliance (Alternative Assets). Katja Lammert, MEAG’s Managing Director and CAO, said: “[Moritz] brings outstanding management and leadership competence to the table, as well as a lot of know-how and proven legal expertise on regulatory issues. He will continue to grow our ESG activities so that we can further improve our performance for our clients, also with regard to sustainability.”
London-based secure income real assets manager Alpha Real Capital has appointed Maria Vaggione as ESG associate. Vaggione joins from Gore Street Capital where she was ESG and Investor Relations Associate, responsible for the project management and delivery of ESG frameworks, disclosures and reporting. In her new role at the firm, which has invested over £2 billion in renewable energy infrastructure and social infrastructure for clients, she will help Alpha Real Capital continue to expand its ESG capabilities. Ed Palmer, Alpha Real Capital’s Head of Sustainability and CIO, said: “We are delighted to welcome Maria to the team. She will make an important contribution as we continue to enhance our ability to identify, measure and manage ESG risks and respond to investors’ needs.
Multinational law firm DLA Piper has appointed Kelly Sporn to the newly created position of Special Counsel and Head of Strategic Delivery – Sustainability & ESG. In her new role, Sporn will be responsible for supporting the delivery of DLA Piper’s international sustainability and ESG strategy by providing senior guidance on strategic sustainability opportunities. She joins from Allen & Overy where she was Counsel specialising in sustainability and ESG regulation, policy and strategy across a wide variety of geographies and sectors. Jean-Pierre Douglas-Henry, DLA Piper’s Sustainability and Resilience Managing Director, said: “Kelly’s appointment is a further illustration of DLA Piper’s complete commitment to becoming the forerunner for innovation and ESG related client services in the legal sector, as well as becoming itself a role-model for resilient and sustainable businesses.”
The UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF) has made two appointments to its board. Rishi Madlani, NatWest Group’s Head of Sustainable Finance and Just Transition, has been re-elected and Maria Nazarova-Doyle, Scottish Widows’ Head of Pension Investments, joins the association’s board. UKSIF’s board plays a “hugely important role” in overseeing the organisation’s strategic direction and long-term ambition, as well as ensuring that the views of its membership “remain at the heart of [its] strategy and programme of activities”. James Alexander, UKSIF’s Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted to welcome Maria Nazarova-Doyle to UKSIF’s Board as well as Rishi Madlani following his re-election. They will both bring enormous knowledge and expertise on the sustainable finance agenda in the UK and the pressing challenges facing our members in their efforts to transition.”
