ESG Investor’s weekly round-up of new hires in the sustainable investing sector, including AustralianSuper, Morningstar, Tikehau Capital, Oak Hill Advisors and Guinness Global Investors.
Eloy Lindeijer has been appointed to AustralianSuper’s advisory team to provide strategic advice on the development of the fund’s global investment practices and direct markets capabilities. A former central banker with over 30 years’ experience in financial services, Lindeijer served as Dutch pension provider PGGM’s CIO between 2011-2020 and was responsible for €250 billion in pension funds under management. He led PGGM’s efforts to integrate an ESG approach and reduced the portfolio’s carbon footprint while delivering operating effectiveness and cost reductions. He has also previously held roles at the Global Impact Investing Network and the African Green Infrastructure Investment Bank initiative. At AustralianSuper, he will look to significantly increase the fund’s exposure to infrastructure and property across the UK and Europe through direct long-term investment opportunities. “Lindeijer has worked at the heart of financial markets and pension investments for three decades. He understands the criteria for successful long-term investment, and the opportunities and challenges of developing a global investment portfolio,” said Damian Maloney, Head of Investments at AustralianSuper.
Morningstar Indexes has announced the appointment of Thomas Kuh as Global Head of ESG Strategy. With over 30 years’ experience in sustainable investing, Kuh has previously held roles at KLD Research and Analytics, RiskMetrics Group and Benchmark ESG Consulting. In his new position, Kuh will be advancing Morningstar Indexes’ ESG strategy to accelerate growth in the market. “We’re at a critical point in sustainable investing, where investors are deluged with information and seeking credible, transparent insights and tools,” said Kuh. “I look forward to drawing on my experience to further fuel our ESG growth, raise our visibility in this very important market and leverage Morningstar’s strengths to serve our clients.” A unit of the global funds data, ratings and analytics provider, Morningstar Indexes offers a full range of equity, fixed income and multi-asset ESG indexes to help investors address a wide range of sustainable investment needs and priorities.
Global alternative asset management group Tikehau Capital has appointed Alexander Bell as Head of its North American Private Equity Climate Practice and Cristian Norambuena as Director of the Practice. The unit aims to support the goals of the Paris Agreement by providing equity capital to companies focused on energy transition. Tikehau said the practice’s mission is to “accelerate the paradigm shift to a low-carbon economy” through investment in firms that are developing solutions to lower energy consumption, increase renewable energy supply, expand low-carbon mobility and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Bell has close to two decades’ private equity experience, including five years at Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec, where he led the investment efforts of the firm’s C$500 million Innovation in Sustainable Investment platform, which invests in late-stage venture and early-growth private equity opportunities in energy transition, sustainable food & agriculture and industrial decarbonisation. Before that, Bell spent 12 years in the energy private equity sector, notably at Pine Brook Partners and Cadent Energy Partners. Norambuena previously worked as a Senior Investment Officer at New York City Comptroller’s Office, where he helped manage the US$30 billion private equity portfolio of the NYC Retirement Systems. He also held leading investment roles at private pension fund managers in Chile, overseeing global asset allocation and private and public markets portfolios.
Alternative credit manager Oak Hill Advisors has hired Jeffrey Cohen as its first head of ESG and Sustainability. Cohen will join the firm’s ESG committee and work closely with its investment team and portfolio companies to further develop sustainability metrics across its portfolios as well as develop ESG-related investment solutions. He will also join Oak Hill’s diversity and inclusion council to further strengthen its programs supporting a diverse, respectful, and inclusive environment for its employees. Previously, Cohen was Director of Capital Markets Integration and Head of Private Investments Initiatives at the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board Foundation, where he advised alternatives investors on the development and integration of ESG factors into various phases of the investment process. Oak Hill Advisors, which has US$57 billion of capital under management, and employs more than 300 people globally, was recently acquired by T Rowe Price Group, but will operate as a standalone business, with autonomy over investment process, team and culture.
Guinness Global Investors has appointed renewable energy specialist David Freeder as the firm’s Head of Sustainable Infrastructure. Freeder will be responsible for leading the development of Guiness Global Investors’ sustainable infrastructure service, developing a broader strategy and expanding investors’ exposure to sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy opportunities. Previous roles include Investment Director at Downing, where Freeder was involved in all aspects of renewable infrastructure investments from deal origination, portfolio management through to exits. “Sustainable infrastructure investment has never been as necessary as it is now, with people recognising the importance of clean sources of energy in the face of climate change and its role in securing energy supply,” he said.
