HSBC Asset Management is to expand its responsible investment team with hires across stewardship, climate change and data.
The news came as the asset manager announced the appointment of Erin Leonard to the key job in HSBC AM’s newly launched Sustainability Office.
Reporting to CEO Nicolas Moreau, and as part of the management committee, Leonard becomes global head of sustainability.
She was previously interim global head of institutional business at the firm and also led HSBC AM’s responsible investment initiative.
The firm said it was transitioning the whole business to sustainable investing and that the Sustainability Office team will also drive a ‘diversity, equity & inclusion’ initiative.
Moreau said: “The creation of our Sustainability Office reflects the strategic importance of sustainability to our business and will enable us to be at the leading edge of this change.”
Stuart Kirk, currently global head of research and insights, has been appointed head of responsible investment. Melissa McDonald, formerly head of responsible investment, has decided to take up a new opportunity outside of the asset management industry, the firm said.
© 2021 funds europe