RI People & Appointments, Nov. 27: PensionDanmark, USS, Global Reporting Initiative, 50/50 Climate Project

Jens-Christian Stougaard, Senior Vice President at PensionDanmark, has announced that he is leaving. In a LinkedIn post he said: “After 13 interesting years, I have decided to leave PensionDanmark to pursue new challenges. Should anyone have an interesting opportunity do not hesitate to reach out.” He is available here jcstougaard@gmail.com.

Retired University College London academic Dave Guppy has been appointed Pensioner Director at Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), the UK’s fund for academics. He replaces Bill Trythall who – according to a Companies House filing – left the fund in September.

The Global Reporting Initiative has appointed Eric Hespenheide as Chairman of its board, effective January 1 2018, replacing Christianna Wood who served the maximum term of four years. Wood previously chaired the International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN). Hespenheide, a former Deloitte partner, was Chairman of the GRI Global Sustainability Standards Board and served as GRI’s Interim CEO.

The GRI has also appointed four board members to its governance bodies: Olaf Brugman, Head of Sustainable Markets at Rabobank; Connie Lindsey, Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Sustainability and Global Diversity & Inclusion at Northern Trust; Meredith Miller, Chief Corporate Governance Officer at UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust; and Girish Ramachandran, President of Asia Pacific at Tata Consultancy Services. The GRI describes the board as “the ultimate decision-making authority” for the initiative. Link

Emma Doner, Project Manager at Vigeo Eiris, has left the ESG research house, it has confirmed. According to her LinkedIn page she now has joined Calvert Research and Management, the SRI firm that is part of Eaton Vance, as ESG Research Analyst.

Paul Cellupica, most recently Managing Director and General Counsel for Securities Law at Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA), has been named Deputy Director at Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Investment Management. He will oversee a number of the division’s strategic, rulemaking, and industry engagement initiatives.

Former New York US District Court judge Barbara Jones is among the members of the new Workplace Professionalism and Inclusion Council at media giant 21st Century Fox set up in response to investor pressure over a sexual harassment scandal. The announcement comes as 21st Century Fox agreed a $90m settlement with shareholders led by the City of Monroe Employees’ Retirement System.

The Global Steering Group for Impact Investment (GSG), an organisation chaired by Sir Ronald Cohen to catalyse impact investing globally, has appointed Krisztina Tora as its market development director. Tora co-founded UnLTD a UK-based social start-up incubator and prior to joining GSG was acting CEO of the Global Social Entrepreneurship Network.Todd Ruppert, retired CEO of the international arm of T. Rowe Price, has been appointed as an advisor to a Swiss “blockchain” investment technology start-up called Melonport. Melonport is developing a “decentralized and ‘trustless’ system of tools for fund managers which are set for launch early next year.

Andrew Hoffman, founder of Californian institutional advisor and direct investment specialist, Rock Island, has been named as Strategic Advisor to Craigmore Sustainables, the New Zealand-based farming and forestry firm.

Neil Johnson, former Head of US Sales at sustainability-focused asset manager, RobecoSAM, has been appointed US Head of Institutional Business Development at BNP Paribas Asset Management, reporting to CEO Daniel Klein. He has had stints at Credit Suisse Asset Management, AIG Global Investment Group and Neuberger Berman.

David Todd, CEO of Australian superannuation fund, LGIAsuper, has reportedly announced that he is to step down from the top job to focus on his other role as Chief Investment Officer at the A$11bn fund. Todd, who has been CEO at the Queensland local government employees’ pension fund since 2006, will continue in his role until a replacement has been found.

Michael Flycht, Head of Derivatives at P+, the pensions administration firm for Danish pension funds DIP and JØP, has been appointed Deputy Director for Investments at Danish pension fund PKA, IPE reports. Flycht returns to PKA – where he previously served as a Portfolio Manager – after a five-year absence.

Jan Parner, Deputy Director General at the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority, has joined ATP, Denmark’s €102bn pension fund as its Senior Vice-President and Head of the Actuarial Office.

The Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) is recruiting a Head of Governance Issues, reporting to the Director of Investment Practices, ESG & Engagement. The closing date is December 31.

An Operations Director is being sought by the 50/50 Climate Project, which is working to challenge corporate control of climate and energy policy by supporting institutional investors who, as owners, elect the board of directors, approve executive pay and are increasingly focused on climate change as an investment risk. The Operations Director will develop operational policies and procedures, manage administrative and financial operations and to assist with critical program and development related activities. The 50/50 Climate Project is a not-for-profit resource and action center founded in 2014. It operates virtually and has an annual budget of approximately $1m; it is fiscally sponsored by As You Sow and expects to operate independently as a stand-alone organization in early 2018. To apply: Send cover letter, resume and salary requirements to settleson@gmail.com, subject line: 50/50 Operations Director. Home page

A VP of International Affairs is being sought by AARP [American Association of Retired Persons], the US retirement body with nearly 38m members.

The Freedom Fund, which works with investors and others to end modern slavery, is seeking a Managing Director, North America. The role is based in New York.