Newton Investment Management Limited, part of BNY Mellon Investment Management, has appointed Therese Niklasson as Global Head of Sustainable Investment. Reporting directly to Euan Munro, CEO, she will join the executive committee and be responsible for driving the firm’s strategic plan for responsible and sustainable investment globally.
The asset manager has explained in a press release that as part of this role, Niklasson will oversee the responsible research agenda and lead the integration, measurement and evidencing of ESG factors within the investment processes across strategies and asset classes.
To this end, she will manage the continued development of Newton’s responsible investment team of 19 specialists focusing on research, stewardship, data and product advocacy. She will also provide oversight of governance and processes relating to responsible and sustainable investing, as well as advancing the further development and innovation of the firm’s product capabilities to deliver responsible and sustainable investment outcomes to current and future clients.
With a career in responsible and sustainable investment spanning 17 years, Niklasson joins from Ninety One Plc (previously Investec Asset Management), where she was most recently Global Head of Sustainability, leading the development and execution of the firm’s holistic sustainability strategy. Prior to this, she was Global Head of ESG and Head of ESG research at the firm, and before that she held the role of Head of Governance and Responsible Investment at Threadneedle Investments.
“As a purposeful owner, Newton seeks to be long-term in its approach, selective in its choices, deep in its research and active in its engagement, always for the benefit of its clients. Our global head of sustainable investment is a pivotal role, leading the next stage in our 40-year responsible investment journey to help shape and promote awareness of Newton’s sustainable investment strategies and approach to responsible investment”, said Munro.
The CEO also believes that her extensive experience and proven track record in building global ESG capabilities and influencing and transforming investment teams’ approach to sustainability issues “will be instrumental in driving Newton’s vision and continued development of our sustainable investment franchise.”
Niklasson will officially join on 7 February 2022 and will be based in London, United Kingdom.
