People Moves

SBTi recruits chief impact officer

Spearheading the worldwide engagement strategy

Maria Outters has been appointed the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)’s first chief impact officer.

The role encompasses spearheading the engagement strategy worldwide, strengthening governance and accelerating growth of corporate climate through science-based targets. Outters’ responsibilities also include supporting the incorporation of the SBTi as a stand-alone NGO later this year and achieving the SBTi’s 2025 goals: 10,000 companies with science-based targets, representing 5 gigatons of emissions and 20% of the global economy.

Outters has 20 years’ experience at companies such as Sodexo and Centre Parcs in Paris. She said: “Time is running out to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, and we must expand the role of the private sector in rapidly cutting greenhouse gas emissions. That’s why I joined the SBTi – to advance this proven method for companies to align their operations and strategies with climate science. I thank the board for entrusting me with this position and look forward to working with this exceptional team.”

Luiz Amaral, CEO of the SBTi, said: “Last year I announced plans to expand and strengthen the SBTi’s executive leadership team to support this growth, and I’m delighted that Maria has now joined us. She brings with her extensive sustainability expertise, as well as strong corporate leadership experience. I know she’ll be a huge asset to the SBTi, helping us to accelerate the impact we’re already driving in the private sector.”

The SBTi said in a statement it will announce further additions to its executive board, leadership team and technical council in the coming months.

Persefoni adds another former SEC lawyer

The firm is adding regulatory expertise as climate disclosure pressure grows

Climate data firm Persefoni has hired a former SEC lawyer to bolster its regulatory department ahead of forthcoming rules from the regulator on climate disclosure.

Last week the company announced that it had brought on Emily Pierce as associate general counsel and vice president of global regulatory climate disclosure. Previously, Pierce was assistant director in the office of international affairs at the Securities and Exchange Commission.

That followed the company’s hiring in March of Kristina Wyatt, who is now its deputy general counsel and senior vice-president of global regulatory climate disclosure. Prior that that, Wyatt was senior counsel for climate and ESG to the SEC’s director of the division of corporation finance.

In the role, Pierce will help the firm’s customers and partners comply with climate disclosure regulations and adopt best practices for measuring and reporting emissions, the company stated in its announcement.

While at the SEC, Pierce had advised the regulator on international policies around climate and sustainability, including engagement with the International Organization of Securities Commissions. Prior to her work at the SEC, she worked at law firm Debevoise & Plimpton.

“Companies and investors need comparable, reliable carbon footprint data to understand their climate-related risks, the potential business impact, and to comply with emerging disclosure regulations and standards,” Pierce said in the company’s announcement.

“There is tremendous opportunity for Persefoni to expand its leadership in building market capability and trust in carbon accounting.”

Earlier this year, the SEC proposed several rules around climate disclosure, the most impactful of which could be its Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors. That rule, which is expected to be finalized next year, would require public companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions.

Janus Henderson hires AB’s chief responsibility officer

Michelle Dunstan worked at AB for 18 years

Michelle Dunstan has left her role as chief responsibility officer at AllianceBernstein (AB) to take up the same position at Janus Henderson.

Dunstan worked at AB for 18 years in a variety of roles including as global equities portfolio manager and senior research analyst, and most recently chief responsibility officer.

At Janus Henderson she will be responsible for overseeing the firm’s corporate responsibility and responsible investing efforts, reporting to Ali Dibadj, Janus Henderson’s CEO.

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Based in the US, Dunstan will work closely with the existing ESG teams on their RI approaches and frameworks.

Dibadj said: “I’ve known Michelle for many years; she is a hugely talented and dynamic figure. Michelle augments our existing capabilities with her experience and leadership skills and will further embed corporate responsibility and responsible investing capabilities across our company. I know she will be an effective advocate for appropriate sustainability work both within the company and in the industry at large.”

Dunstan added: “It is an exciting time of great change and positive momentum – both for Janus Henderson and for responsibility. Janus Henderson’s rich history of providing differentiated insights and disciplined investments places it well to lead in developing both the ESG thought leadership and the portfolio solutions that will help our clients achieve their goals. I look forward to working with Janus Henderson’s existing talented teams to continue to advance and strengthen the organisation on its responsibility journey.”

Update

At AB, Erin Bigley has been named the firm’s new chief responsibility officer overseeing the firm’s responsible investing strategy, extensive research, engagement, stewardship activities, corporate responsibility, and continued integration of responsible investing into key strategic decisions.

She has worked at AB for 20 years most recently as the head of fixed income responsible investing and having served as a founding member of the firm’s Responsible Investment Steering Committee.

“Erin has served as an integral and incredibly effective leader of our fixed income and responsible investing efforts at AllianceBernstein,” said Seth Bernstein, president and CEO at AB. “Erin’s extensive industry knowledge and passion for responsibility, combined with her more than 20 years of leadership and investment experience at the firm, will only enhance AB’s commitment to responsibility on behalf of our clients, colleagues, and communities.”

Brown Advisory expands sustainable fixed income team

Two analysts join the team

Brown Advisory has recruited two fixed income analysts from BNP Paribas and Global Evolution to join its global sustainable fixed income team.

Yacine El-Mohri was most recently a financials credit trading desk analyst at BNP Paribas, while Eriko Miyazaki-Ross (pictured) was an emerging markets corporate credit portfolio manager and branch manager in the UK at Global Evolution.

The hires follow the launch of the firm’s Global Sustainable Total Return Bond strategy in February. It is managed by Ryan Myerberg in London, and Chris Diaz and Colby Stilson in the US. Since the launch, assets in the fund have reached $265m.

See also:- Brown Advisory creates ESG framework for sovereign bonds

Logie Fitzwilliams, head of international business and global head of sales at Brown Advisory, said: “Yacine and Eriko bring with them a wealth of analytical experience from well recognized institutions, and it is clear their expertise will add yet further depth to our already accomplished and growing fixed income proposition, which is seeing strong client demand.”

NYC pension system hires DEI director

Taffi Ayodele was a principal at a socially responsible real estate investor

New York City’s pension system has hired a diversity, equity and inclusion manager, the comptroller’s office announced last week.

In that role is Taffi Ayodele, whose position as director also covers emerging manager strategy for the city’s bureau of asset management. She is tasked with expanding the $250bn pension system’s engagement with minority and women-owned business enterprises and emerging investment managers, according to the announcement.

Previously, Ayodele was a principal at socially responsible real estate investment and development firm Harpia Asset Management. She is also a cofounder of Lagos, Nigeria-based shoe company Thando’s.

“New York City is one of the most racially and ethnically diverse cities in the world. The public sector beneficiaries of our $250bn pension system reflect this diversity and so should the asset managers who are hired to invest on their behalf,” Ayodele said in the announcement. “I am thrilled to have joined the comptroller’s office at this critical moment and look forward to the work ahead to ensure the vast universe of both high performing diverse owned asset management firms and smaller emerging firms are given an opportunity to work with the NYC retirement systems.”

The announcement preceded a report the comptroller’s office published Nov. 1 on the investments the city’s pension plans have with minority and women-owned business enterprises and emerging investment managers. The systems had about $16.8bn invested with minority and women-owned businesses as of the end of June, or made commitments with them, representing about 12% of the plans’ US-based actively managed money. As of that time, the program had about $8.6bn invested with or committed to emerging managers, according to the report.

BNY hires head of responsible investing from Neuberger

Manisha Ali 'will help build and shape the Investors Solutions Responsible Investing franchise'

BNY Mellon Investor Solutions has hired former Neuberger Berman ESG portfolio specialist Manisha Ali as its head of responsible investing, the firm announced Wednesday.

The role is a new one at BNY Mellon and is global in scope.

Ali had worked at Neuberger Berman since 2017 and was the firm’s portfolio specialist for its core equity and sustainable equity strategies.

In her role at BNY Mellon, Ali “will help build and shape the Investors Solutions Responsible Investing franchise, and work to identify best-in-class solutions,” the company stated. “Manisha will partner with investment management, wealth management and family office clients at different stages of their responsible investing journey.”

Ali is based in New York and reports to global head of investor solutions Sinead Colton Grant.

Previously, Ali had also been an associate director at Russell Investments, working on investment strategy and outsourced chief investment officer options for institutional clients.

BNY’s investor solutions group oversaw $25.1bn in assets as of the end of June.

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