RI People & Appointments, May 14: UNEP FI formally advertises for new head

The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) has formally advertised for a new head, to take over from Paul Clements-Hunt who resigned earlier this year. “Candidates with a minimum of 10 years of work experience relating to finance, investment, insurance, economics, and environment are encouraged to apply,” the ad states. The deadline for applications is June 23. Link

The California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS) is seeking a portfolio manager focused on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. A key role is to lead the fund’s Green Initiative Task Force (Green Team) and oversee engagement with portfolio companies on environmental disclosure. The role reports to the Director of Corporate Governance. Link

John L. Cusack has joined research firm Maplecroft as head of Risk Management Services for the financial and insurance sectors. Cusack was start-up CEO/co-founder of pioneering sustainability research firm Innovest Strategic Value Advisors. Most recently he was Chief Sustainability Officer at Light Green Advisors and President at consulting firm Gifford Park Associates.

Sister Nicole Reille, founder of the French group Ethique et Investissement (Ethic and investment) and a pioneer of SRI in France, passed away on May 7.
Reille was involved in the creation of France’s first ethical fund and the launch of ARESE, the first French ESG research house

Malik Fal has been named as Managing Director, Africa for the Omidyar Network, the philanthropic venture of eBay founder and chairman Pierre Omidyar. Announcement

José Miguez, the former chair of the executive board of the Clean Development Mechanism, has been named as Chair of the CDM’s Carbon Capture and Storage Working Group. Link*Jozek Fiedosiuk has been appointed Chief Operating Officer* for investment activities at the UK’s £5.2bn (€4bn) Church Commissioners, a newly created role. He joins from boutique fund firm Rogge Global Partners, where he was the Head of Operations. Announcement

Renat Heuberger will become the sole chief executive of carbon offsetting company South Pole Carbon following co-CEO Christoph Sutter’s decision to step down. Sutter is moving to assume a newly established executive board role on renewable energy in Switzerland and EU countries, South Pole said. He will remain non-executive chairman and shareholder. Link

Paul Abberley has been appointed as interim chief executive of Aviva Investors following the departure of incumbent Alain Dromer. Abberley is currently CEO of Aviva Investors London and Global Investment Solutions. Announcement

Greg Bourne, a former director of Carnegie Wave Energy and chief executive officer of the World Wildlife Fund Australia, has been named as acting chair of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). ARENA begins operations on July 1 as part of the government’s Clean Energy Future package, consolidating A$3.2bn (€2.5bn) in funding for renewable energy.

The UK government has named five members to the Natural Capital Committee, which aims to ensure the value of England’s natural capital. They are: Ian Bateman, Director of the Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment at the University of East Anglia; Giles Atkinson, Head of Environmental Economics, London School of Economics; Kerry ten Kate, Director of the Business and Biodiversity Offsets Programme at Forest Trends; Robin Smale, founder of Vivid Economics; Rosemary Hails, chair of the Natural Capital Initiative. Link