LGIM Real Assets has appointed a head of ESG as the firm steps up its climate change efforts.
The division of Legal & General Investment Management has names Shuen Chan as the new head of ESG to support its strategic objective to embed sustainability in all areas of the real assets business.
Ms Chan will also focus on the LGIM Real Assets real estate equity platform and its expanding private credit portfolio.
Prior to joining LGIM, Ms Chan was the co-founder of purpose-driven ESG advisory firm, Sustinery, which assisted institutional investors in building a case for sustainable investing in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
By 2050, the UK is legally required to have met net zero carbon emissions and, as a result, investors must consider how they can help reduce emissions in some of the most carbon intensive industries.
Legal & General is looking beyond current legislation and practices, seeking to align its real asset portfolio with a science-based carbon performance target covering the period to 2030.
Ms Chan was also previously a founding member and head of structured product origination at European Credit Management, having spent the early part of her career in debt capital markets at Deutsche Bank, Macquarie and HSBC across Asia and Europe.
She will report directly to Rob Martin, director, strategy and ESG, and work closely with sustainability manager, Malcolm Hanna.
Mr Martin said that as a significant player in the UK’s institutional investment space, LGIM has a major part to play in combating climate change.
“[Ms Chan’s] appointment, with her strong expertise in ESG and climate change, including a deep understanding of debt markets, marks our continued commitment to embedding ESG in every area of our business,” he said.
Ms Chan added that ESG and Sustainable investing, particularly within the real assets sector, is “fundamental to meeting the Paris Agreement targets”.
