The Investment Association (IA) has appointed Carol Thomas to a newly-created role of head of sustainability and responsible investment.
Thomas will be responsible for leading the IA’s work and engagement on all issues related to sustainability and responsible investment, including the design and implementation of sustainable finance rules in the UK, and championing the industry’s contribution to climate action.
She rejoined the IA at the start of December, having previously held the position of head of asset management policy at M&G. Prior to this, she spent four years at the IA in the role of retail markets specialist, covering all issues related to the regulation and distribution of retail funds in the UK and across the EU, including leading the IA’s work to assist members with the implementation of Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation. Thomas started her career in EU regulatory affairs in Brussels, before joining the Financial Services Authority in 2010.
Galina Dimitrova, director for investment and capital markets at the IA, said: “This is a pivotal time for the investment management industry as we work with the regulator and government to help investors navigate the rapidly evolving and growing sustainability and responsible investment landscape. Carol’s extensive UK and EU policy experience and industry expertise will enable her to successfully support our members with the busy regulatory agenda and champion the industry’s priorities in this area.”
Thomas added: “Sustainability and responsible investment has been one of the standout trends in recent years, with investors placing almost £5.5bn into responsible investment funds in the first three-quarters of this year alone. I look forward to working with our members, the regulator and policymakers, to ensure that this area of the funds market continues to flourish and so that investors are able to understand how their money is meeting both their financial and non-financial goals.”
