Quilter Investors bolsters manager research hub with two hires

Tasked with developing and implementing responsible investment policy

31 Jul 2023

Quilter Investors has expanded its responsible investment team by appointing two experienced investment analysts.

Jonathan De Pasquallie has joined as a responsible investment analyst from KPMG, where he provided investors with ESG due diligence as well as assisting them with approaches to climate risk and decarbonisation strategies. At Quilter Investors, De Pasquallie will support enhancements being made to ESG integration and reporting and help lead active ownership activities.

Meanwhile, Chris Wu has joined the business as a responsible investment quantitative analyst. Wu was most recently a research officer at the London School of Economics and has a decade of experience in applied data science. With a PhD in urban studies, Wu has been hired to help the business utilise data and technology in its responsible investment decision making and conduct detailed research within the sector.

The responsible investment team at Quilter Investors is part of the extended manager research hub the business launched at the end of last year to enhance its fund manager research capabilities.

“The addition of a data scientist and an experienced responsible investment consultant brings an advanced set of skills to scale up the work already being done by the existing team, as we continue to work with our fund managers and distribution partners to meet customer and regulatory needs,” said Marisol Hernandez (pictured), head of responsible investment at Quilter Investors.

“Given the increase in regulatory requirements in responsible investment, we want to give advisers and investors the confidence that their objectives are being met and their money is being managed in line with their needs and regulations. Having a strong and well-resourced responsible investment team is a positive step in providing that support and expertise for our clients.”

TPI appoints chair as Church of England Pensions Board’s Matthews steps down

David Russell was former head of responsible investment for the USS

18 Jul 2023

The Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI) has appointed David Russell as chair, following the decision by Church of England Pensions Board chief responsible investment officer Adam Matthews to step down from the board in September.

Russell (pictured) was formerly head of responsible investment for the Universities Superannuation Scheme. He has served on the TPI board since its inception and was previously a member of its steering committee.

He was also steering committee member of the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change from its establishment in 2001 until it was incorporated, and remains an adviser to its board. He is a former board member of the PRI Association, and until recently was on the board of the International Centre for Pensions Management.

TPI is backed by investors with more than $50trn in assets under management and works in partnership with the Grantham Research Institute and FTSE Russell.

Commenting on his appointment, Russell said: “Given the urgent need to address climate change, the work that the investors will do with the analysis provided by the newly-created TPI Global Climate Transition Centre, at the London School of Economics and Political Science, is crucial for investment decision-making and stewardship activities.

“I look forward to playing a key role in supporting the TPI as it continues to expand the breadth and depth of its analysis to be at the forefront of meeting investor needs.”

The TPI board also announced the appointment of Jake Barnett, from US-based Wespath Benefits and Investments to the role of chair of the TPI strategic advisory committee.

Barnett said: “As TPI continues to expand the comprehensiveness and depth of its research, the strategic advisory committee will be an important forum to work with asset owners, managers and investor coalition partners to ensure that TPI’s work continues to enhance investors’ analysis of and engagement with companies on their transition readiness.

“Ultimately, this will help all investors respond more effectively to the economic and scientific imperative to transition to a sustainable global economy.”

State Street appoints head of global investment insights

Jessica Donohue succeeds Rick Lacaille in the role

12 Jul 2023

State Street has announced the hire of Jessica Donohue, its current executive vice president, as head of global investment insights, sustainability and impact.

Reporting to Lou Maiuri, president, chief operating officer and head of investment services, Donohue will oversee sustainability efforts with a focus on delivering insights to the company’s clients and the industry.

The role will involve leading and coordinating across State Street’s investment services and the broader organisation to bring together investment insights and solutions, aiming to deepen relationships with chief investment officers at client organisations.

Donohue has held a variety of senior roles over more than two decades with State Street, most recently as the global head of State Street’s asset owner segment.

She has also held several teaching positions at Brandeis University and the University of Minnesota, and serves as State Street’s co-executive sponsor for its Disability Awareness Alliance.

“Being a strategic and trusted partner to our clients to meet their complex and changing needs requires us to continue to evolve our investment-related thought leadership and solutions,” said Maiuri.

“Jessica’s background in research and investment-related insights, coupled with her deep understanding of clients’ unique challenges and the market overall is precisely what our clients need as we continue to deliver as their essential partner.”

PRI nominates Mckinsey adviser to chair board

Conor Kehoe will take over from Martin Skancke next year pending signatory approval

6 Jul 2023

The Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) has nominated Mckinsey adviser Conor Kehoe to take over as chair next year.

Pending signatory approval, Kehoe will succeed Martin Skancke when the latter’s term as PRI chair draws to a close at the end of the 2023 calendar year.

Kehoe is senior adviser and former senior partner at Mckinsey & Company, where he co-founded the organisation’s investor and private equity practice. He is chair of the Integrated Reporting Council and a member of the G7 impact taskforce on impact accounting.

He will be tasked with helping the PRI evolve, plans for which include the formation of signatory progression pathways to provide investors with a route to tailor their adoption of responsible investment to their organisation’s unique needs. The PRI is also looking at how to deliver greater regional relevance in its approach.

Commenting on his appointment, Kehoe said he was “delighted” to be recommended by the board.

“I know first-hand the material benefits that responsible investment offers to investors, asset owners, service providers and ultimately the individuals and communities they serve, and – contingent on approval from PRI signatories – I look forward to having the opportunity to bring my experience to bear in this exciting next chapter of the PRI’s development.”

PRI CEO David Atkin added: “Conor’s proven ability to lead on key elements of strategic organisational development make him the ideal candidate to lead the board as it shapes PRI’s direction of travel as the organisation continues to advance its offering to signatories.

“We look forward to realising the benefit of his invaluable experience as we begin to plan the PRI’s next strategy period from 2024 to 2027, and specifically on how we can enact the remit delivered to us by the ‘PRI in a Changing World’ consultation to ensure we are supporting signatories fully in their responsible investment journeys.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Martin Skancke for his guidance and leadership during his tenure as chair and wish him every success in future.”

Federated Hermes hires sustainable investment director

Sian Long joins from AXA IM

28 Jun 2023

Federated Hermes has hired Sian Long as an investment director for its impact and sustainable equity strategies.

Long joins the asset manager after a one-and-a-half-year stint at AXA Investment Managers. She also spent two years at Schroders between 2019 and 2021 as an investment director in thematic and sustainable equities.

Based in London, she will be a client facing-representative for Federated Hermes, working on its Sustainable Global Equity, Impact Opportunities, SDG Engagement and Biodiversity strategies.

She will report into head of investment specialists James Cook.

Cook said: “Federated Hermes has a long track record of success in the impact and sustainable investing spaces and Sian’s appointment reinforces our commitment to providing clients with best-in-class responsible investment solutions.

“We have seen a significant acceleration towards sustainable and impact investing in the last year, with many clients re-evaluating their long-term objectives in response to the transition to a more sustainable global economy. This is demonstrated by the strong levels of flows across our impact and sustainable equity strategies over the past year.”

This article first appeared on Portfolio Adviser.

Impax hires Asia fund manager

Manish Bishnoi joins in October

26 Jun 2023

Impax Asset Management has appointed Manish Bishnoi as co-portfolio manager of its Asia strategies, joining fellow manager Oscar Yang.

Based in Hong Kong, Bishnoi will work with Yang on London-based Impax’s Asian Environmental and Asian Opportunities funds from October 2023.

He succeeds Kirsteen Morrison, who has been interim portfolio manager on both strategies since former manager David Li passed away unexpectedly in October last year.

Bishnoi joins Impax having spent 16 years at Macquarie Asset Management. He was most recently portfolio manager on the firm’s Asian Progress Fund, before which he was a senior investment analyst, focusing on Asian thematic investments.

Yang said: “We’re delighted to welcome Manish to the team in Hong Kong. Manish’s formidable industry experience and in-depth knowledge of the market will ensure we continue to build on our competitive edge.”

Bishnoi added: “The Asia-Pacific region is home to many of the companies that are developing the leading solutions that are driving the transition to a more sustainable economy. Impax has a deep heritage in investing in this space and it’s an honour to join the growing Asian team.”