RI People & Appointments, February 22: Generation’s David Blood to chair Social Finance

David Blood, the former Goldman Sachs executive who is co-founder with Al Gore of Generation Investment Management, has been appointed the new chair of Social Finance, the not-for-profit organisation. He takes up the post in April, following the retirement of Bernard Horn who has chaired the body since its inception in 2007. Blood is one of the co-founders of Social Finance and has been a leading advocate for impact investment on the global stage for well over a decade. Social Finance has mobilised over £100m and is the originator of the Social Impact Bond model.

Peter Kinder and Daniel Kern have joined the board of the Green Century Funds, the US responsible fossil fuel free funds. Kinder co-founded what became KLD Research and Analytics. In 1990, he co-founded the mutual fund company Domini Social Investments. Kern is currently the Chief Investment Strategist and Head of the Investment Committee at TFC Financial Management. “Both Mr. Kinder and Mr. Kern bring deep experience in the industry and a strong commitment to environmentally responsible investing,” said Leslie Samuelrich, President of Green Century Capital Management, advisor to the Green Century Funds.

Christiana Figueres is stepping down as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) when her terms on July 6. Her departure comes after what she termed the “historical achievement” of the Paris Agreement. She said: “The Secretary-General will soon initiate the search for the next Executive Secretary by inviting all Parties to submit candidates.” The post will be elevated to the level of Under Secretary General.

Dr. Bonnie Hill has joined the Research Advisory Council of proxy firm Glass Lewis. She is a director at 11 corporations, including Yum! Brands and Home Depot. She formerly served on the board of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and was a member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Investor Advisory Group.

Paul Druckman is stepping down as chief executive of the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), the body which promotes combined financial and sustainability reporting. He will step down during 2016 and has agreed to be flexible about timing to ensure a smooth transition. He has been in the role for almost five years and oversaw the development of the International Integrated Reporting Framework which was released in December 2013. He said the IIRC is now well established and ready for the “normalization phase” of its development.

Kate Jalbert, Head of Policy & Communications at the Quoted Companies Alliance, and Bruce Jackson, an environmental consultant with over 25 years experience have joined Stockholm-based ESG engagement firm GES International AB as Engagement Manager and Senior Engagement Manager, respectively. Based out of the London office, Jalbert will provide her expertise on regulatory and governance issues, and Jackson will consult on issues relating to mining, chemicals, oil and gas.

Amy Springsteel, Assistant Vice President of Corporate Responsibility for retirement, investment management and insurance firm Voya Financial, the former ING US, has been appointed to the board of standards organisation AccountAbility.

Sweta Chattopadhyay, Vice President at private equity specialist Adveq Management AG, has joined the private markets unit of the UK railworkers’ pension scheme Railpen as Senior Investment Manager. The pension scheme has also name Matthias Eifert and Tony Guida to its in-house investment team as Investment Managers. They join from Macquarie Securities and the EDHEC Risk Institute respectively.

Lindsay Anderson, Chairperson of Illinois’ State Universities Retirement System’s (SURS) Board of Trustees, is stepping down to join the University of Illinois. Anderson’s six-year term was too due to expire in 2019.

Pauline Vamos is stepping down as CEO of the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA), the peak policy, research and advocacy body for the country’s super industry. Its board will recruit a replacement and have asked Vamos to stay until at least June 30, to ensure an orderly transition. Announcement*Michael Polya, the Brussels-based 
Director* Client-Facing Support Group EMEA at State Street Global Advisors (SSGA), one of the instigators and co-ordinators of Project Delphi, the product to identify ESG ‘super factors’, has left the company after 13 years. Polya said the first phase of Project Delphi had now ended and a final report and framework is expected shortly. Polya said the Technical Group, which is steering Delphi will continue with the project. Participants have included AXA IM, Aberdeen Asset Management, F&C, APG, KLP, Nestlé, the Dutch central bank, Towers Watson, Hymans Robertson, BofA Merrill Lynch, Schroders, Pension Protection Fund, KKR, Mercer Consultants, Storebrand, PGGM and ECPI. Delphi’s first phase comprised three work-streams: a European investor group led by Chris McKnett, Head of ESG at SSGA, a metrics team led by Ralph Frank, Managing Director with DVFA, the Society of Investment Professionals in Germany, and a panel of European institutional investors led by Railpen Investments’ Head of Governance Frank Curtiss.

Magnus Eriksson is leaving his role as chief investment officer and deputy CEO at Fjärde AP-fonden (AP4), the Swedish buffer fund, after eight years. He is leaving for family reasons and moving to London at the end of June.

Wolfgang Hafenmayer, former Managing Partner at Swiss impact investment firm, LGT Venture Philanthropy, has reportedly been named Head of Societal Impact Advisory at Trusted Family, an online network and advisory for ultra-high net worth families.

Separately, LGT Venture Philanthropy, part of the LGT Group of the family of the Princely House of Liechtenstein, is seeking an experienced investment manager to strengthen its Europe team in the UK.

Dan Concannon, the former chief executive at governance firm GMI Ratings, is now CEO at ‘big-data’ financial technology outfit Minetta Brook, which provides real time news and social media analytics for portfolio managers and others. He headed GMI from January 2013 – December 2014 and led its sale to MSCI. Link

Kevin Urama has been appointed Senior Policy Advisor on Inclusive and Green Growth to the president of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina. Maria Mulindi was named Senior Advisor, Civil Society and Community Based Organizations. Link

The $50bn United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) is seeking a Director of Investments. The role, which reports to the Representative of the Secretary-General, is responsible for directing the work program of the Investment Management Division (IMD) of the UNJSPF. The fund is also seeking a Chief Financial Officer and Chief of Operations, according to the UN’s careers site.

A Head of Energy Environment Division is being sought by the OECD. Under the supervision of the Director of Sustainability Technology and Outlooks (STO), the candidate will manage the Division’s work on energy and environment and on the impact of energy policy on economic development and environmental sustainability, including climate change.

Big Society Capital, the body founded in 2012 to develop social investment in the UK, is recruiting a Head of Strategy and Market Development. “Ultimately, you will have the chance to make a substantial contribution to the success of Big Society Capital and to social investment in the UK,” the ad states. The closing date for applications is March 14.

Big Issue Invest, the social investment arm of The Big Issue homeless magazine in the UK, is seeking a Finance Director.