People Moves

BlackRock hires Kaminker from Lombard Odier

Chris Kaminker taking up the post of deputy head of sustainable investing at US asset management giant

Christopher Kaminker has joined BlackRock as deputy head of sustainable investing joining from Lombard Odier.

Kaminker will be responsible for “research-driven product innovation” on a global basis. Working with the BlackRock Investment Institute and BlackRock platforms, he will also look to expand the investment solutions, capabilities and research for clients. Kaminker reports into group head of sustainable investing Paul Bodnar.

He joined Lombard Odier in 2019 and was latterly group head of sustainable investment research, strategy and stewardship. He has also previously worked at Nordic banking group Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB) and Goldman Sachs.

Meanwhile, Emily McGlynn and Benjamin Attia have also joined BlackRock’s climate and sustainability research team to focus on sustainable investing data, analytics and research.

RayJay appoints sustainable investing head

Samantha Trebesch previously led the firm's private client group strategy and planning team

Raymond James has named a head of sustainable investing, the firm announced today. Samantha Trebesch, who previously led Raymond James’ private client group strategy and planning team, has taken the role and will help build out the group’s sustainable investing options for financial advisers, the company stated.

Trebesch is also one of InvestmentNews’ 40 Under 40 advisers for 2022 and is the national co-chair of Raymond James’ women’s inclusion network.

She began working at the company in 2017 and co-founded its sustainable investing advisory council the follow year. Prior to her work at Raymond James, Trebesch taught at the United Nations International School in Hanoi, Vietnam, and co-led the establishment of a microfinance organization that teaches financial literacy, the firm noted.

“Samantha’s expertise and passion in the ESG space, paired with her proven success implementing key firm initiatives, make her a clear fit for this new role and I’m confident that she’ll continue to add immense value,” Kim Jenson, chief operating officer of the private client group, said in the announcement. “As preferences around values-based investing continue to evolve among advisors and their clients, we are committed to growing our capabilities in this important area and providing access to leading resources and technology.”

Demand for sustainable investing options has been increasing among the company’s clients, according to figures it cited from its 2021 corporate responsibility report. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of clients invested in sustainable funds and ETFs increased by 48%. Among its advisers, 84% said they use one or more sustainable investment funds.

Pantheon hires ESG lead

Eimear Palmer will help build out the company's existing ESG initiatives

Pantheon Group has hired its first global head of ESG, the company announced Thursday.

Eimear Palmer, who was hired as partner at Pantheon, was previously the head of responsible investment at Intermediate Capital Group. Palmer has also worked at Carlyle Group.

In the new role, Palmer will lead the firm’s ESG committee and help build out the company’s existing ESG strategy and initiatives, the announcement noted.

See the latest ESG fund launches and people moves here.

“Recognized for her expertise in responsible investment and engagement with key stakeholders, Eimear is a founder of the UK network of Initiative Climat International, an investor-led platform focused on climate action among leading global private market organizations, of which Pantheon is a signatory,” the company stated.

Palmer is based in London and will start in the position in August, reporting to investment partner Alex Scott.

T. Rowe nabs ESG exec from BlackRock

Poppy Allonby will oversee the company's ESG strategy at a high level

T. Rowe Price has added a new role of ESG enablement, hiring former a BlackRock leader who helped build the company’s sustainable product strategy for its active funds.

Joining the Baltimore-based firm is Poppy Allonby, who will work out of T. Rowe’s London office beginning 6 June, the company announced Thursday.

In the new position, Allonby will help execute the company’s ESG strategy at a high level, reporting to head of global equity Eric Veiel, and “will oversee the firm’s corporate ESG positioning, global ESG product range, regulatory engagement and go-to-market approach,” the company stated.

At BlackRock, Allonby developed and delivered the sustainable product strategy for its active investment business. She also had responsibility for product strategy, development and structuring, with investment oversight for more than $970bn in assets under management across more than 1,000 funds, the company noted.

Allonby is also on the external advisory board of MIT’s Energy Initiative.

Malk Partners hires a CEO

Founder Andrew Malk is becoming the firm's executive chairman

La Jolla, California-based ESG management adviser Malk Partners has hired a CEO, the company announced Tuesday.

Max Hong, who was previously operating partner at Crosspoint Capital Partners, is assuming responsibilities at Malk from founder Andrew Malk, who is moving to a role as executive chairman at the firm. Andrew Malk had led the firm since its establishment in 2009.

The company advises on more than $500bn in assets under management and provides ESG consulting services to alternatives managers globally.

“Hong’s appointment positions the firm to capitalize on the most powerful trends shaping global finance, while enhancing Malk Partners’ best-in-class advisory services for clients’ rapidly evolving needs in the ESG and impact space,” the company stated in its announcement.

“It also comes as responsible investing is being quickly embraced throughout private equity and private credit and as more clients are demanding the expertise and singular ESG focus that the firm has pioneered.”

GMO hires new head of ESG

Deborah Ng will lead the company's sustainable initiatives

Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo (GMO) has recently hired a new head of ESG and sustainability.

In her new position, Deborah Ng is tasked with “leading and accelerating the firm’s ESG and sustainability-related initiatives,” Boston-based GMO said in a statement.

Ng was previously head of responsible investing for the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.

Deborah Ng

The firm added more about the new position: “Specific areas of focus will include working closely with the firm’s investment teams as they conduct innovative research and further integrate material ESG factors into their processes; partnering with members of GMO’s Investment Stewardship Group to expand issuer engagement activities; and advancing the firm’s own sustainability goals.”

Ng sits on the United Church Pension Plan’s investment committee and previously was on the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark’s board.

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