Hymans Robertson has increased the size of its responsible investment team with a number of new hires.
The pension consultancy says these appointments have been made to meet increasing client demand for support in developing and implementing RI strategies.
Rachel Barrack, RI analyst, is the most recent specialist to join the team. She previously worked at Copylab, and in her new role will work directly with one of the RI team’s largest clients, helping them to advance their RI agenda.
Mhairi Gooch has joined as senior RI consultant to lead on net-zero. Gooch most recently worked at River and Mercantile having previously spent the majority of her career at Mercer.
Meanwhile Olivia Mooney has joined as an RI Consultant and is the stewardship lead in the team. She previously worked at the PRI and will be helping clients develop their own approach to stewardship, while also increasing Hymans Robertson’s RI engagement with third parties.
Hymans Robertson head of responsible investment Simon Jones says: “Responsible investment has long been a central part of the work we do for our clients, but in the last few years regulatory updates, such as the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) have massively increased their awareness of the impact they can have in this area.
“Our clients increasingly want to be effective in their actions and be clear on the outcomes they are helping achieve. Our growing team, bolstered with additional expert support from the wider business, allows us to support our clients in achieving these ambitions.
“Two particular areas of focus over 2022 are the drive for net zero and stewardship, with more clients are setting long term net-zero goals and aspiring to become signatories of the UK Stewardship Code. ”
As a result Hymans is placing considerable focus on both areas over the course of this year.
Jones adds: “We recognise the emphasis policy makers and influential stakeholders have placed on creating change and holding others accountable, and we want to ensure we play our part.”