First Sentier Investors and MUFG appoint Head of First Sentier MUFG Sustainable Investment Institute
First Sentier Investors and MUFG have appointed Velina Karadzhova to lead the recently-launched First Sentier MUFG Sustainable Investment Institute.
Karadzhova will be responsible for developing the institute’s research programme which will include macro-level research on sustainable investment topics, market trends and industry practices. The studies will look at how these developments affect the performance of companies, sectors and economies and their influence on investor capital allocation. Karadzhova will work closely with the institute’s external advisory board of prominent sustainability academics and industry leaders, appointed to inform its research agenda and ensure its research meets high standards of rigour.
Will Oulton, Global Head of Responsible Investment at First Sentier Investors and Chair of the institute, said: “Velina‘s considerable experience in the fields of ESG-related research will be invaluable in this new role to lead and further develop the institute’s sustainable investment research programme. The reports will promote critical, urgent and under-reported sustainability issues, while outlining actions the industry and broader society can take to help address these problems.”
Karadzhova was previously an ESG analyst and utilities sector lead at MSCI, where she was responsible for utilities sector and company research, ESG ratings, ESG methodology enhancements and developing new products. She has also held roles as a credit ratings analyst at Moody’s and was a senior associate in audit at PwC.
The institute was launched in May 2021 to publish proprietary, high-quality research on emerging sustainable investment topics that have yet to see significant industry focus. Its aim is to enhance industry awareness of and action on these sustainable investment themes, report on market trends and best practice, and promote a greater understanding of how such issues can impact long-term investment performance.
Its inaugural research report, titled “Microplastic pollution: causes, consequences and issues for investors”, explores the critical and growing problem of microplastic pollution, one of the most significant and neglected threats to the health of our oceans. The research outlines the important role investors can play in encouraging companies and governments to take action to prevent microplastics entering the environment.
Publication of the next report, which will focus on the emissions of synthetic microfibers into the environment and the damage they are causing, is planned for Q4 2021.
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