Aviva Investors appoints Global Head of ESG Research

Aviva Investors, the global asset management unit of Aviva PLC, today announces the appointment of Paul LaCoursiere to the newly-created role of Global Head of ESG Research within its Global Responsible Investment team.

Paul LaCoursiere

Based in London and reporting to Steve Waygood, Chief Responsible Investment Officer, Paul will be responsible for the corporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) research process at Aviva Investors, including the integration and monitoring of ESG criteria within Equities and Credit. He will jointly lead the research team with Mirza Baig, Global Head of Governance. In addition to leading on all stewardship, voting and engagement activities, Mirza is responsible for ESG integration across Multi-Asset & Macro and Real Assets portfolios.

Paul has 17 years’ experience in the asset management industry and assumes the role after spending the last three years as Global Head of Corporate Research, Aviva Investors. Having worked as a Fixed Income Portfolio Manager for Aviva Investors between 2010 and 2013, he re-joined the business in 2014 following a year at Chicago Equity Partners as Managing Director and Senior Fixed Income Portfolio Manager.

Steve Waygood, Chief Responsible Investment Officer at Aviva Investors, said:

“Over the past two years we have added substantial resources to our ESG research capabilities, which we believe has a critical role to play in enhancing stock selection, portfolio construction and risk-adjusted returns for our clients. Paul has a wealth of experience in fund management, investment research and quantitative analytics, as well as established relationships with portfolio managers and analysts. This made him the outstanding candidate to lead the team, working in partnership with Mirza Baig.”

Following Paul’s appointment, Oliver Judd and Kevin Gaydos have been named Co-Heads of Credit Research, reporting to Colin Purdie, Chief Investment Officer, Credit.

Based in London, Oliver has over 20 years’ industry experience and joined Aviva Investors in 2006. He will continue to lead the Financials team. Based in Chicago, Kevin has over 20 years’ industry experience and joined Aviva Investors in 2008. He will continue to lead the Commodities and Industrials team.

ENDSIMPORTANT INFORMATION:

The information and opinions contained in this document are for use by the financial press and media only. No reliance may be placed for any purpose on the information or opinions contained in this document nor should they be seen as advice.  

The press release is provided on the basis that Aviva Investors Global Services Limited is not causing the communication of a financial promotion under exemption of the Financial Promotion Order, as Aviva Investors Global Services Limited has no control over the way in which an article based on this press release is prepared and published by the financial press and media. 

Except where stated as otherwise, the source of all information is Aviva Investors Global Services Limited (“Aviva Investors”) as at 12 March 2019.  Unless stated otherwise any views, opinions expressed are those of Aviva Investors. They should not be viewed as indicating any guarantee of return from an investment managed by Aviva Investors nor as advice of any nature.  The value of an investment and any income from it may go down as well as up and the investor may not get back the original amount invested. 

Issued by Aviva Investors Global Services Limited, registered in England No. 1151805.  Registered Office: St Helen's, 1 Undershaft, London, EC3P 3DQ   Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Aviva Investors

Aviva Investors is the global asset management business of Aviva plc. The business delivers investment management solutions, services and client-driven performance to clients worldwide. Aviva Investors operates in 14 countries in Asia Pacific, Europe, North America and the United Kingdom with assets under management of £331 billion as at 31 December 2018.

AVIVA PLC

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James Morgan

Media Relations Manager

Laura Cocker

Media Relations Manager