Spotlight on Jennifer Anderson, Global Head of Sustainable Investment & ESG, Lazard Asset Management
Global Thought Leader Spotlight
Jennifer Anderson, Global Head of Sustainable Investment & ESG, Lazard Asset Management
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In my role as Managing Director, Global Head of Sustainable Investment and ESG at Lazard Asset Management Limited (London) I oversee the firm’s Sustainable Investment and ESG integration strategy, working closely with our analysts and portfolio managers globally. Our investment approach is rooted in deep fundamental research which includes analysing financially material ESG considerations as we do other fundamental factors.
Our regular interactions with companies in client portfolios are vital to our investment decision making. As stewards of our client’s assets, we emphasise engagement and exercising our voting rights. These responsibilities lie primarily with our investment professionals, which we believe helps to ensure it is integral to our investment decision making.
I began working in investments in 2006 and prior to joining Lazard in 2019, I was an Investment Manager for TPT Retirement Solutions, a UK pension scheme, where I was responsible for developing the Responsible Investment and climate change strategy across both the Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution assets. During this time, I also served on the Board of the Directors of the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) where I helped lead some of the early thinking on Paris-Aligned investments. Before that, I was an equity research analyst in sustainable investment on the sell-side at Citigroup Global Capital Markets. I began my career as an SRI analyst at Jupiter Asset Management.
In the current environment, a number of key developments are unfolding that any climate committed investor ought to be thinking about:
Global tensions and upcoming elections may impact how governments seek to implement climate and sustainability policies. This presents opportunities for active investors that can actively assess the impact these dynamics have on companies, and their supply chains.
Higher stakes from physical risks, such as rising temperatures, increased heat, wild fire and flooding are not yet priced in but present material risks for both corporates and sovereigns.
ESG views are increasingly becoming polarised with divergent ESG expectations, regulation and standard between clients and regions. Asset owners must therefore fully understand the medium to long-term implications of their own net zero goals and the practical path towards implementation.
What this means for asset owners is that active ownership and engagement with companies are crucial to navigating this rapidly changing and evolving landscape.
The investment landscape for net zero portfolios is swiftly transforming, marked by growing complexity, abundant data, varied industry frameworks, and numerous regulations.
To navigate this environment, a dynamic approach is essential for integrating new datasets and analytics, steering clear of greenwashing, and remaining focused on real world impacts.
By merging quantitative and fundamental analysis, and directing engagement efforts through investment decision-makers, a comprehensive evaluation of a company's transition potential can be achieved. This fusion of strategies should ultimately enable asset owners to better meet their net zero objectives.
Jennifer will be presenting at Global Investment Institute’s upcoming Net Zero Investment Forum, taking place on Wednesday, 27 March 2024 at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Victoria.
To register your interest in attending, click here or for more information email zlatan.kapetanovic@globalii.com.au.
Jennifer Anderson, Global Head of Sustainable Investment & ESG, Lazard Asset Management
Jennifer is the Global Head of Sustainable Investment and ESG at Lazard Asset Management (Lazard AM). She oversees the firm's Sustainable Investment and ESG integration strategy. She works closely with analysts and portfolio managers to enhance their investment processes and on developing new strategies.
Jennifer sits on the Lazard AM’s Global Stewardship Committee. She also leads client engagement and thought leadership on ESG topics.
Jennifer began working in the investment field in 2006. Prior to joining Lazard in 2019, Jennifer was an Investment Manager for TPT Retirement Solutions and during this time she also served on the Board of the Directors of the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC). Her prior role was as an equity research analyst in sustainable investment at Citigroup Global Capital Markets and she started her career as an SRI analyst at Jupiter Asset Management.
Jennifer has a bachelor's degree in Economics and Economic History from the University of Leicester and a master's degree in Environment Technology from Imperial College London.
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