Green moves: Aware Super, BlackRock, Taylor Fry

A Housing Australia executive has joined BlackRock Australia as the firm's new head of fixed income and credit product strategy, marking a return to funds management after a distinguished public sector career.

Katherine Palmer brings over 12 years of government balance sheet management and sustainability bond expertise to the world's biggest asset manager, following a six-month stint providing strategic treasury advice at Housing Australia.

Her public sector journey began at TCorp, where she spearheaded NSW's groundbreaking sustainability bond program. Launched in 2018 under her leadership, the initiative positioned the state as a pioneer in Australia's emerging green bond market, with Palmer marketing securities to institutional investors and managing balance sheet risks.

Palmer then moved to NSW Treasury as executive director of strategic balance sheet management, leading a 35-strong team overseeing the state's financial assets and liabilities while implementing sustainable finance initiatives across government operations.

Her influence extended through key committee roles, including chairing the NSW Sustainable Finance Steering Committee and serving as deputy chair of the NSW Sustainability Bond Committee. She also chaired the Climate Risk Steering Group from 2019 to 2022, establishing governance frameworks for climate-related financial risk management across NSW government entities.

Before her public sector career, Palmer spent 14 years at UBS Asset Management as executive director and senior portfolio manager for Australian fixed income, finishing in 2013.

She called leaving Housing Australia a tough decision.

"I'm very grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to an organisation where finance and purpose intersect to support affordable housing," she said.

"I'll be watching with great interest as Housing Australia continues to play a central role in delivering on the government's housing agenda."

On joining BlackRock, Palmer described it as returning to her career origins.

"I'm super excited to be part of this globally respected platform, and I look forward to what lies ahead," she added.

Palmer will report to Katie Petering, head of investment strategy at BlackRock Australia.

BlackRock said Palmer will draw on her deep industry expertise to enhance the firm's full suite of fixed income offerings, working closely with portfolio managers, product strategists, and client teams to meet evolving client needs.

Meanwhile, high-profile ethics and impact manager Desiree Lucchese (pictured) has joined Aware Super as the reporting manager for climate change and sustainability.

In her new role, Lucchese will blend technical expertise with change management to serve as a liaison across the super fund, helping to create a robust roadmap for the fund's reporting functions.

"Quality reporting reflects an organisation's level of transparency and accountability in an evolving reporting landscape. Most importantly, I am honoured to be serving over 1.1 million members," she stated.

Since leaving S&P Global at the beginning of the year, Lucchese has been acting as executive director at Impact Alpha Partners, a research and consulting service  launched two years ago to drive impact and alpha in portfolio outcomes.

Before a short stint at MLC Life, she spent the previous three years at U Ethical. While at the investment house, she led the integration of ESG data and the UN Sustainable Development Goals into the investment process and managed the firm's active stewardship activities with portfolio companies, key stakeholders, and industry peers.

With a background in climate science, sustainability best practice and infrastructure planning, Lucchese worked for the EU Commission, the UK's Capital Markets Union and the UN Global Compact's Cities Program.

Before arriving at U Ethical, she worked as an ESG consultant with MSCI and Urban Systems Advisory at AECOM, the infrastructure consulting firm.

A technical expert group advisor to the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia's certification program and policy advocacy working group, she has also been involved with the Investor Group on Climate Change and Investors Against Slavery and Trafficking.

Lucchese has also held numerous board directorships addressing climate and ethics, including the UK Climate Disclosure Standards Board and Environmental Investment Organisation.

Finally, veteran actuary Ramona Meyricke is returning to Taylor Fry as a principal to spearhead the firm's expanding climate risk advisory practice, bringing more than two decades of insurance sector experience.

Meyricke originally set up Taylor Fry's climate offering before departing two years ago for IFM Investors, where she drove thought leadership and policy advocacy as director of policy and research.

For Meyricke, actuaries hold the key to unlocking climate solutions

"We're used to assessing and managing risks that are uncertain, potentially catastrophic and often long term - a perfect combination for making real impact in the climate space," she explained.

"Natural perils are more frequent and intense, destroying homes and businesses, alongside rising insurance costs. We must build resilience in our society and communities, as well as our businesses and the environment."

Meyricke has held senior roles at Suncorp Group, Swiss Re and the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.