ESG Investor’s weekly round-up of moves and appointments in the sustainable investing sector, including ISSB, Calvert, GLP Europe, Metzler AM, and KGAL.
Former World Bank Vice President Jingdong Hua has been appointed as Vice-Chair of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). Working alongside Vice-Chair Sue Lloyd and Chair Emmanuel Faber, Hua will bring his experience in international finance and development to the board and aim to create standards that can be implemented global. Hua will oversee the development and implementation of the ISSB’s strategies to ensure they support and include stakeholders across developing economies. Hua said: “Sustainability is a defining issue for our generation. I am thrilled to join the ISSB and look forward to working with partner organisations and institutions to deliver capacity building initiatives on sustainability disclosures, both internationally and with particular focus on emerging and developing economies.” In his former role at the World Bank, his responsibilities included driving sustainable finance capacity building programmes, green bond initiatives and also previously working as Administrator of the World Bank Group Pension Fund. Hua has also served as Vice President and Treasurer of the International Finance Corporation and Deputy Treasurer of the Asian Development Bank. Faber said: “Our dual Vice-Chair model will enable us to equally focus and deliver on our two priorities: developing our standards with a high sense of momentum through quality processes, and truly embedding global inclusiveness and adoption considerations in our work from inception.” The IFRS Foundation Trustees have now completed the recruitment of members to the ISSB.
Calvert Research and Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, has appointed Tim Youmans as its Executive Director and Corporate Engagement Strategist. He will support Calvert’s efforts to deliver positive impact and investor value through engagements with investee companies targeting improved ESG-related performance. Prior to joining, Youmans led a 12-person engagement team at EOS at Federated Hermes in North America. He has also worked as Research Director for the Strategic Investor Initiative at Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP). John Wilson, Calvert’s Head of Engagement, said: “Youmans’ deep academic focus on ESG sets him apart and gives him a deeper understanding of how material sustainability factors influence financial performance. His track record of success engaging with leading global companies is an asset that will advance Calvert’s engagement work significantly.”
Stefano Fissolo has joined global investment manager GLP Europe as Senior Director of Renewables. He will drive the growth of GLP’s onsite renewable energy programme to decarbonise its built environment through rooftop solar installation, electric vehicle infrastructure and battery storage. The firm has so far helped install 415 megawatts (MW) of solar PV capacity globally. Fissolo has 15 years’ experience working primarily across renewable energy, investment and infrastructure. He has previously worked at SUSI Partners, Solesa and Boston Consulting Group. Nick Cook, GLP Europe’s President, said: “ESG is a strategic priority for our company, and developing our renewables capabilities and innovations is a key next step in our growth; Fissolo’s skill and experience will be invaluable as we look to expand these activities across Europe.”
Germany-based Metzler Asset Management has strengthened its sustainable investment office by appointing Dr Philipp Finter to its board. He will help to expand the sustainable investment office, which was first founded in July 2019, and will focus on ESG research initiatives and develop the integration of ESG indicators in portfolio management. Finter has previously worked at HQ Asset Management and Bankhaus Sal. Oppenheim Jr. & Cie. Daniel Sailer, Head of Metzler’s sustainable investment office, said: “With the further expansion of the sustainable investment office, Metzler Asset Management is underlining the significantly increasing importance of sustainability criteria in investment processes. With Dr. Finter’s many years of experience in the field of investment strategies and research, we are further expanding our ESG expertise.”
Michael Kohl has joined independent infrastructure asset manager KGAL as Head of Open Investment Funds. As well as supporting new product development on behalf of the firm, Kohl will be specifically responsible for KGAL’s real estate fund, the immoSUBSTANZ, alongside an open infrastructure mutual fund which will be launched next year. He has 25 years of experience as a tax consultant at Big Four accountancy firm EY and Commerzbank Group. Dutch asset manager Robeco has appointed Kees Verbaas as its Global Head of Fundamental Equity, where he will oversee the global equity, emerging markets, Chinese equity and Asia-Pacific equity teams. He joins from Altis Investment Management, where he held the position of CIO since 2017.
