Former responsible investment head at Australian superannuation fund Local Government Super Bill Hartnett has been selected for the role.
Mr Hartnett will be reporting to Euan Stirling, global head of stewardship and ESG investment. He will be based in London.
Mr Hartnett has worked across responsible investment and active ownership for more than 20 years, having held roles in asset management, research and asset ownership.
At LGS, Mr Hartnett was held responsible for ensuring that $12 billion of pension assets were invested responsibly, looking for the maximum potential long-term, sustainable return.
“We are delighted Bill has joined our ESG Investment team, which is growing in importance, as we continue to move ESG considerations further up the investment agenda,” Mr Stirling said.
“As an active investment manager, engagement continues to be at the heart of our approach and it is important for us to influence the standards of governance.
“With Bill’s depth of knowledge and experience, he is a strong addition to the team and will be invaluable in helping develop our expertise in emerging markets and Asia-Pacific.”
Aberdeen claims its ESG team to be one of the largest in the industry, with around 50 staff including more than 30 specialists across the asset class divisions.
The company engages in research along with “thousands of voting decisions and many engagements with companies and assets” that it owns.
“I am proud to have developed sophisticated ESG-integrated strategies and an extensive and effective active ownership program in my previous roles,” Mr Hartnett said.
“I now look forward to working with my ASI colleagues to offer innovative ESG strategies to our existing and prospective clients.”
