Green Moves: ACSI, PRI, HOPE Housing

Industry veteran David Atkin will step down as chief executive of the Principles for Responsible Investment next year, giving the UN-backed body for institutional investors ample time to find his replacement.

Atkin, who joined the PRI in 2021, replaced responsible investing leader Fiona Reynolds following her relocation to Australia.

"It has been an honour to lead the Principles for Responsible Investment over the past four years, and a privilege to meet and work with many of our signatories around the world," Atkin said, announcing his departure.

"London is a long way from Melbourne, and the time is approaching for me to return to my family."

However, Atkin stressed his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition, noting that he will remain in post until his successor is appointed.

"We are at a critical inflection point for responsible investment, and I am committed to ensuring a seamless transition," he added.

Under Atkin's leadership, the PRI has undergone a significant transformation. The organisation introduced a new three-year strategy to 2027, revamped its operating model and simplified its reporting framework. These changes have coincided with rapid growth in the responsible investment sector.

He joined from asset manager AMP Capital, where he served as deputy chief. However, Atkin spent his career primarily in Australia's superannuation industry.

His career includes 12 years leading Cbus, the industry fund for building and construction workers, as well as stints at ESSSuper and Just Super, which later became Media Super.

The industry fund for media and entertainment staffers was eventually swallowed up by Cbus.

Atkin also has ties to the STA Superannuation Trust of Australia, one of the foundation funds that subsequently became AustralianSuper.

The outgoing PRI boss is a former director of the Climate Council, Frontier Advisors and chair of SuperFriend - a not for profit that that brings industry funds and insurers together to achieve mentally healthy workplaces for their staff and members.

The search for a new chief executive will be led by a board-appointed committee chaired by Sharon Hendricks, vice-chair of the CalSTRS Investment Committee.

The PRI is planning several initiatives for the future, including a refreshed digital platform, enhanced support for asset owners, and continued expansion into emerging markets.

The organisation also aims to reinforce the financial materiality of sustainability issues as it prepares for COP30 and celebrates its anniversary.

Meanwhile, the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) has bolstered its environmental, social and governance team by appointing Isakhan Vythilingam as an ESG analyst in its Melbourne office.

Vythilingam brings unusual credentials to the role, having founded Greenfluence, a sustainability-focused media platform that engages young audiences.

Under his leadership, the platform grew to seven staff members.

Before joining ACSI, Vythilingam spent just over 12 months at Active Super, remaining with the fund for several months after its merger with Vision Super in March.

First Sentier has bolstered its responsible investment skills with the appointment of Sarah Robinson as a senior responsible investment analyst.

Robinson joins from LVP, a specialist sustainability-led multi-strategy alternative asset manager, where she focused on ESG integration across investment strategies. Before her tenure at LVP, she spent five years at Deloitte, specialising in the sustainability aspects of mergers and acquisitions.

As for the social impact investment space, Debra Goundrey has been appointed director of capital raising at HOPE Housing Fund Management.

The NSW-based investment manager specialises in providing private capital to assist essential workers in purchasing residential properties closer to their workplaces.

Goundrey brings extensive experience in capital raising and investor relations to the role. She previously served as head of investor relations at MLC Asset Management. She earlier led the institutional farmland portfolio at Boston-based Hancock Agricultural Investment Group, having also worked as a client account manager at Bluesky, a New York-based alternative investment manager.

The appointment follows the appointment of Michael Dwyer as HOPE's inaugural chair. Dwyer has been a long-time adviser to the fund that co-invests in home loans for essential workers, addressing the growing affordability crisis facing critical workers in major Australian cities.