The asset management arm of US bank Wells Fargo has confirmed the appointment of its new global head of environmental, social and governance.
Hannah Skeates joined the group in January, based in London, reporting to Fredrik Axsater, head of Wells Fargo Asset Management’s strategic business segments division.
In a media statement, the company said the appointment reflected an “ongoing effort” to expand its in-house expertise in this area.
“ESG is one of the greatest challenges and opportunities facing our clients,” says Axsater. “Wells Fargo Asset Management is focused on solving the most pressing challenges of our clients. We believe ESG investing is investing in a better future.”
Skeates joined the company from Dow Jones Indices, where she had been the head of global ESG strategy. She had previously worked at BlackRock and its legacy brand, Barclays Global Investors, in a variety of roles including global head of sustainable investments for iShares. She is also a senior associate at the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.
Chris McKnett, who joined the business from State Street Global Advisors in August and Jessica Mann who recently took up the role of head of stewardship, will both report to Skeates and are based in San Francisco.
“With the collective experience of Hannah, Jessica, and Chris, we believe we are even better positioned to provide exceptional ESG expertise and solutions,” Axsater added.
Wells Fargo Asset Management is a division of Wells Fargo Wealth and Investment Management and has more than $466 billion in assets under management.
