This announcement follows the firm’s commitment in April to align all its default client investment advice with the goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest. It estimates this change should see most clients achieve a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.
Paul Lee was Head of Corporate Governance – Stewardship at Aberdeen Asset Management between 2015 and 2018 and joins Redington having been an independent consultant for the last three years. During this time, he has worked with a number of influential industry bodies such as PRI, IIGCC and the Investor Forum, leading projects in areas such as climate change accounting, as well as acting as an adviser on engagement and stewardship practices for global companies, regulators and legislators. Previously he was Head of Investment Affairs at the NAPF as well as spending 13 years at Hermes, most latterly as a Director of public policy and best practice at Hermes Equity Ownership Services, between 2010 and 2013.
At Redington, Paul will work with the Investment Strategy Committee to help set Redington’s sustainable investment strategy, including integration across the firm’s strategic asset allocation, model portfolios and risk modelling systems, as well as leading the implementation of its 7-point climate action plan. Paul will also work closely with Redington’s Manager Research Team to develop a process for tracking and measuring fund managers’ progress in ESG and stewardship.
Anastasia Guha is a sustainable investment specialist with 15 years’ experience and joins from the PRI, where she was the Director for Northern Europe & Middle East and Africa. Within this role, she had responsibility for signatory strategy development as well as acting as a trusted adviser to over 150 asset owners across the region, in areas such as ESG integration practices, regulatory reporting and measurement, as well as corporate and policy engagement.
She first joined the PRI in 2011 and has held a number of positions since, including Head of UK & Ireland between 2016-2018.
At Redington, Anastasia will have responsibility for leading the firm’s global sustainability strategy, integrating this across different business channels including Redington’s proprietary ADA technology platform, as well as expanding the organisation’s capabilities across new global markets and with a broader class of asset owners including endowments, foundations and charities. She will also lead on the exploration and development of global strategic partnerships as well as collaborative knowledge sharing with other sustainability leaders and asset owners around the world.
David Bennett, Managing Director and Chair of Investment Strategy Committee, Redington, commented: “Both Anastasia and Paul are highly respected throughout the industry, acting as trusted advisers to regulators and companies alike. Their experience in developing, implementing and communicating effective sustainable investment and stewardship strategies will be invaluable as we work with our clients and the broader investment community to create a more sustainable future for all.”
“Together they will work closely with our existing team of RI experts who, over the past 10 years have established us as a go-to partner for clients looking for reliable risk-adjusted investment solutions which can also align with their principles and commitments as a sustainable investor. Anastasia’s and Paul’s experience is an exciting progression to our existing foundation in this space, and will be influential as we continue to integrate sustainability across our entire business and work with clients on their journeys to net zero.”
Anastasia Guha commented: “Over the years Redington has built up a reputation as a firm that takes sustainable investing seriously and strives to use its influence in a positive way, demonstrated most recently by its commitment to ensuring all advice delivered has a net-zero objective in mind. This is something I am very keen to be part of but, like myself, Redington recognises that no single organisation can drive the level of change our industry needs in isolation. I look forward to working with the team to engage with others across the sector and around the world to understand how we can make the most meaningful difference possible and give more people the assurance that their money is being invested in a responsible way.”
Paul Lee commented: "Collaboration and knowledge sharing across the entire industry is the only way we will make tangible changes in ESG and help asset owners make the best possible decisions when it comes to buying ESG and stewardship services. I am so excited by the opportunity to work at Redington and look forward to helping clients shape their investment approaches to meet their ambitions with regards to climate change, stewardship, and ESG more generally, to help them to deliver maximum value for their beneficiaries over the long term."
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