ESG Investor’s weekly round-up of new hires in the sustainable investing sector.
Jupiter Asset Management has restructured its ESG team with a series of appointments. Abbie Llewellyn-Waters has been appointed Head of Sustainable Investing, having managed the Jupiter Global Sustainable Equities fund since its inception. Llewellyn-Waters will now lead the firm’s sustainable investing capability. Rhys Petheram, as new Head of Environmental Solutions, will oversee Jupiter’s environmental solutions range across asset classes while further building out the firm’s capabilities in the green fixed income space. Jon Wallace has been appointed as fund manager of Jupiter Ecology and Jupiter Responsible Income funds, as well as the equity segment of Jupiter Global Ecology Diversified fund. “This restructure and the series of appointments […] reinforce our commitment to this strategically important client proposition which we see as a cornerstone of our future business growth plans,” said Andrew Formica, Jupiter CEO.
JP Morgan Asset Management has appointed Felix Lam as Head of Investment Stewardship for Asia ex-Japan and Robert Harden as Sustainable Investing Research Analyst. Both will report to Jennifer Wu, Global Head of Sustainable Investing. Harden will be applying data science and machine-learning techniques towards ESG and materiality research, as well as China ESG initiatives. Lam joins from CCB Internation Securities, where he held the role of Head of Power, Energy and Materials Research. He will be advancing regional stewardship through corporate engagement and overseeing stewardship reporting and proxy voting. “With a dedicated and growing team on the ground in Asia, working closely with our portfolio managers and research analysts across the region who are focused on ESG, as well as partnering with clients to deliver innovative solutions and impacts, we are excited about continuing to strengthen our ongoing commitment to sustainability,” Wu said.
Barclays has appointed Marie Freier as Managing Director and Global Head of ESG Research. Freier will be working to integrate ESG into Barclays fundamental research products, as well as further driving collaboration across regions and asset classes on ESG issues. She will further lead a team to assess how ESG attributes impact financial risks and valuations both across sectors and companies. Freier was previously Co-Head of European Sales and Global Head of ESG at Sanford Bernstein. “We are thrilled to have someone with Freier’s calibre and experience joining Research and leading such a strategically important part of the business. Her appointment underscores our commitment to expanding and differentiating our ESG offering for clients,” said Jeff Meli, Global Head of Research at Barclays.
Allianz Global Investors has appointed Gunnar Miller and Robbie Miles as co-managers of the Allianz Global Sustainability Strategy. This follows news that the current co-managers – Paul Schofield and Jeremy Kent – are leaving the firm at the end of March 2021. Miller is Allianz GI’s Global Director of Research and Miles is a portfolio manager who previously worked within the ESG research team to identify ESG risks for companies across the investment platform. “Both Miller and Miles have global and ESG research credentials. Miller is not only very familiar with global equity markets, but also with the sustainable investing approach of Global Sustainability,” Allianz GI said in a statement.
Nathalie Wallace has been appointed Head of ESG Strategy and Development at Mirova, a global investment affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers. Wallace will be expanding Mirova’s position in sustainable investing through developing key partnerships and extending the firm’s offering of investment solutions towards a sustainable global economy. Wallace will also be enhancing the firm’s brand in the US market. She previously worked as Global Head of ESG Investment Strategy at State Street Global Advisors. “In an ongoing effort to encourage greater investor engagement with products focused on sustainable investing, we are fully confident that Wallace will play an instrumental role in strengthening our position and brand in the American ESG investment market,” said Jens Peers, CEO at Mirova US.
Charlie Thomas has been appointed CIO of EdenTree Investment Management, assuming the role from Q2 2021. Thomas has a background in ESG, having most recently held the role of Head of Strategy, Environment and Sustainability at Jupiter Asset Management, managing £800 million of ESG funds, such as the Jupiter Ecology Fund. “Thomas was one of the few industry figures that could bring such a high level of expertise and experience to a busines that has led the responsible and sustainable investment market for more than 30 years. We are committed to delivering excellence to our clients and Thomas further strengthens our ability to do that,” said Andy Clark, CEO of EdenTree.
LaSalle Investment Management has expanded its ESG team with two new appointments – David DeVos as Global Head of ESG and Elena Alschuler as Vice President of Sustainability in the Americas. Reporting to Tim Kessler – LaSalle’s Global COO – DeVos will build LaSalle’s global ESG strategy and objectives while working alongside the firm’s sustainability officers, portfolio stakeholders and senior leadership. Alschuler will work alongside DeVos and act as the central leader for LaSalle’s North America sustainability initiatives. She will develop ongoing programmes concerning energy procurement, green leases and health and wellness projects. “We are pleased to welcome DeVos and Alschuler to their roles as we expand our commitment to ESG leadership. We believe that integrating ESG best practices into our day-to-day work is the most efficient method to maximise investment performance for our clients while minimising our impact on the environment,” said Kessler.
Dan Mistler has joined ACA Compliance Group to head up its newly launched Global ESG Advisory Practice. The team will provide ESG advisory services that will aim to support the sustainable investment ecosystem. Prior to joining ACA, Mistler was a partner at ESG-focused firm Bridge House Advisors and founder of ESG specialist advisory firm ESG Edge. “With a dedicated and innovative suite of ESG services and solutions designed to meet the needs of companies of all sizes, we are committed to helping firms mitigate risks, make informed choices, and grow profitably and sustainably,” Mistler said.
