People & Appointments: JP Morgan hires sustainability executive from Environmental Defense Fund

Ben Ratner has joined JP Morgan Chase as Executive Director, Sustainability. Ratner has spent the past 10 years at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), most recently leading its energy transition team. At JP Morgan, he will work on sustainability policies such as inclusive growth, low-carbon technology acceleration and community climate resilience. Ratner will report to JP Morgan’s Global Head of Sustainability Marisa Buchanan.  

The UK Treasury’s Enterprise and Growth Unit (EGU) is looking for two senior policy advisers to join its new climate policy team, one to focus on the UK’s climate spending strategy and one to advise on decarbonising the buildings and industrial sectors. It is also hiring a senior economic advisor specialising in climate analysis.   

PGIM Real Estate has appointed Julie Townsend as ESG lead for Europe and Asia Pacific. She joins after spending 15 years at real estate investor CBRE, most recently as head of environmental consultancy.  

Veronique Chapplow has joined T.Rowe Price as Vice-President, focusing on ESG and responsible investment. Chapplow joins from M&G Investments where she was an investment director in the equities team, specialising in ESG.   

Metzler Asset Management has promoted Daniel Sailer to Head of Sustainable Investment. His previous role was Co-Head and Director of ESG strategy.  

The US Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment has announced the election of two members to its 13-strong board of directors. Linda-Eling Lee, Managing Director, Global Head of ESG and Climate Research at MSCI, was elected to a first term. Kimberly Gluck, Managing Director at Boston Trust Walden, was elected to a second term.  

Oscar Warwick Thompson has been promoted to Head of Policy and Communications at the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association. Warwick Thompson, who was previously Senior Policy Manager, has held roles at the Investment Association and Hanover Communications.