Jupiter has created a head of sustainable investing role as it brands ESG a “cornerstone” of future business growth.
In the new role, Abbie Llewellyn-Waters, manager of the Jupiter Global Sustainable Equities fund, will lead the firm’s sustainable investing arm and shape “best practice” across the business.
Meanwhile Rhys Petheram, co-manager of the mixed-asset Jupiter Global Ecology Diversified fund, has been promoted to the newly created role of head of environmental solutions.
The strategy restructure follows Charlie Thomas's, head of strategy, environment and sustainability, departure from Jupiter after 20 years at the company and 17 years at the helm of the Jupiter Ecology fund.
Andrew Formica, chief executive, said: “This [...] reinforces our commitment to this strategically important client proposition which we see as a cornerstone of our future business growth plans.
“I’m delighted to have Abbie and Rhys in these new roles where they will be instrumental in shaping, supporting and influencing the firm wide initiatives that we have been developing over the last year.”
Mr Petheram will work closely with Ms Llewellyn-Waters to “lead and evolve” Jupiter’s work in investing in companies focused on providing solutions to sustainability challenges.
Following Mr Thomas’s departure, Jon Wallace will be promoted to fund manager of the Jupiter Ecology fund, Jupiter Responsible Income fund, the equity segment of the mixed asset Jupiter Global Ecology Diversified fund and the Jupiter Green Investment trust.
Stephen Pearson, CIO, said: “We are also delighted to make Jon’s well-deserved promotion. Jon has been with the company since 2009 and has shown himself to be an innovative, inquisitive stock picker through his company research and analysis.
“I would also like to pay tribute to departing manager Charlie Thomas, [who] has become an important part of that fund’s long history and has made a strong mark at Jupiter and on the sector during his tenure.”
ESG investing has boomed in popularity in recent years as fears over climate change have led investors to consider the impact of their money and as a growing number of millennials have begun investing.
2020 saw a record year for ESG inflows, and fund houses have been quick to capitalise on the growing interest with numerous portfolio launches and growing their sustainable offering.
imogen.tew@ft.com
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