Index and benchmarking group MSCI has appointed Chitra Hepburn as head of ESG client coverage for its Asia Pacific (APAC) division.

Hepburn will build MSCI’s ESG research in the APAC region, and leverage its ratings, research and data across the company, including indexes and ESG analytics.

With over 20 years’ experience in the financial and sustainability markets, Hepburn was previously a managing director at ESG Global where she was responsible for creating and implementing ESG metrics for issuers in preparation for investor roadshows.

Prior to this, Chitra was head of corporate communications and sustainability at Bayer, working across the three divisions of pharmaceuticals, crop science and consumer care. Other roles include director at China Greentech, executive director at WestLB, and business manager at WestLB,

Hepburn also holds an MSc in Environmental Economics from the London School of Economics.

Hepburn will be based in Shanghai and report directly to Jack Lin, head of APAC client coverage at MSCI.

Commenting on the appointment, Lin said: “MSCI is a key leader of ESG and we were a first-mover in Asia helping investors pursue different approaches such as ESG integration, exclusionary or negative screening, or thematic investing.

“I am confident our clients will benefit from Chitra’s impressive ESG experience gained in different industries and locations. I look forward to working with Chitra as she supports MSCI’s growing client base in Asia, while momentum for ESG continues to accelerate.”

MSCI provides critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community, including solutions to help manage ESG risk.