Green moves: ASFI, U Ethical

The peak body for sustainable finance in Australia has appointed IFM Investors' Zak May and former Cbus and Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) chief executive David Atkin to its board, and reappointed Jeff Brunton and Katharine Tapley.

ASFI said the appointments will strengthen its ability to coordinate action across the financial system, and align capital with climate, nature and social outcomes.

May is currently executive director at IFM Investors and brings expertise across asset management, public policy and sustainable finance strategy.

David Atkin, former chief of the PRI, brings global experience across institutional investment, stewardship and system-level reform, including leadership roles AMP Capital and Cbus.

They take seats previously held by former PRI chief Fiona Reynolds and Cbus chief executive Kristian Fok. Fok was chair of ASFI since it first began; he was replaced last month by IAG chief financial officer William McDonnell.

Kristy Graham, chief executive of ASFI, said: "These appointments reflect the depth of experience across Australia's sustainable finance system and strengthen ASFI's ability to work across policy and markets."

"Strong governance matters, and these appointments will support ASFI achieve strong outcomes as we move into the next phase of our work.

"Both have been involved in ASFI's work since before we were established as an organisation, and bring perspectives shaped across different parts of the financial system, which is critical to how ASFI operates."

ASFI also confirmed the reappointment of HESTA's head of portfolio management Jeff Brunton and Katharine Tapley, head of sustainable finance at ANZ.

"This continuity at the board level supports the long-term vision that is required to progress system-wide work across sustainable finance," said Graham.

"Jeff and Katharine have both played an important role in guiding ASFI's work and strengthening engagement across the sustainable finance ecosystem."

Meantime, U Ethical has appointed Sam Wyatt as international equity portfolio manager.

Wyatt spent the last 13 years at Mondrian Investment Partners in London as a senior portfolio manager, specialising on emerging Asia Pacific. He also spent four years at Deloitte in London.

"Sam strengthens our international equities capability at a time when global opportunity sets are becoming more complex. His experience across developed and emerging markets enhances our ability to assess risk particularly in areas such as capital allocation, governance and macro sensitivity which are critical to delivering consistent outcomes for clients," U Ethical chief investment officer Jon Fernie said.

"Importantly, this appointment builds on our existing process, adding depth to our idea generation and risk assessment while maintaining the disciplined framework that underpins our portfolios."

Commenting on his decision to join U Ethical, Wyatt said: "U Ethical's combination of a genuine ethical framework, a not-for-profit ownership model and disciplined investment approach is rare in this market."

"After more than a decade investing across global and emerging markets, I'm excited to contribute to a process with a strong focus on valuation, risk and long-term compounding, and to apply that experience within a team committed to delivering consistent outcomes for clients."