M&G has created a new stewardship and sustainability team to further integrate ESG into its investment processes and meet increased client demand for sustainable products.
The team will be headed by Rob Marshall, who has previously led M&G’s credit research team, and has been in charge of the global research equity and credit team since 2017.
He will be supported by Rupert Krefting - head of corporate finance and stewardship, Annabel Nelson - head of ESG policy and disclosure, Michael Posnansky - head of ESG Research and Integration, and Ben Constable-Maxwell - head of impact.
Overall, the team will consist of 13 professionals, who will aim to enhance M&G’s capabilities in research, policy, evaluation and integration. It will report ESG risks and opportunities across all asset classes, as M&G looks to meet its commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions across its investment portfolios by 2050.
The team will also be involved in the new M&G Climate Solutions Fund, which targets investment in companies addressing the climate emergency, while also delivering attractive investment returns.
Alongside boosting its ESG capabilities, the asset manager is looking to engage with investee companies to encourage transition to sustainable business models, including a new climate engagement programme focused on companies with high carbon exposure.
Jack Daniels, chief investment officer of M&G said: “For us, the long term sustainability of our business, our environment and our communities depends on us embedding ESG into everything we do. Our new stewardship and sustainability team will play a central role in ensuring ESG is at the heart of how we invest as a leading global asset manager and asset owner.”
Mr Marshall added: “We are rising to the unprecedented environmental and societal challenges the world faces by further building our capabilities to invest sustainably and responsibly while continuing to deliver the long term performance customers want; stepping up our active engagement with investee companies to ensure the right changes are being made, particularly on climate change risks; and continuing to innovate for our customers in the products and reporting we provide.”
