Sustainalytics hires Robeco‘s van Heteren for research director role

But ESG firm closes Madrid office with loss of two roles

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Environmental, social and governance research company Sustainalytics has named Wilco van Heteren as a director of its research products team.

He joins from Dutch fund management firm Robeco, where he was a senior engagement specialist, having joined the company in 1998 from MeesPierson. He was involved with engagements with companies such as Swiss food giant Nestlé on cocoa.

Based in Amsterdam, he will work alongside Esther Hougee, Heather Lang, and Hendrik Garz, managing a team of more than 70 analysts globally, Sustainalytics said.

The new arrival would be “invaluable in helping Sustainalytics better communicate the impact of ESG issues on shareholder value to an ever moresophisticated investor audience” said Hans-Ulrich Beck, the firm’s global director of research products.

But it’s also emerged that the firm is closing its office in Madrid – meaning Elia Tarrega, managing Director Spain and Analyst Elena Hernando have left.

Team members Blanca Vega de Seoane and Francesco Mazzeo will move to Amsterdam and Paris respectively to support Spanish clients.

And in further news, Melissa Brown, the former Executive Director at Association for Sustainable & Responsible Investment in Asia (ASrIA), has been appointed to Sustainalytics’ Board of Directors. It follows Sustainalytics’ acquisition of Singapore-based Responsible Research, where Brown was a director, last year.