Press Release

IIGCC announces new Chair and board members as investors commit to net zero future

03.12.20

London: The Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) is announcing a new Chair, Vice Chair and two new board members, following its Annual General Meeting (AGM). These senior appointments represent the continued importance of climate change to the investment community ahead of COP26 to be hosted by the UK in Glasgow next year.

The new board appointments announced are:

  • Faith Ward, Chief Responsible Investment Officer, Brunel Pension Partnership appointed as Chair
  • Torben Möger Pedersen, Chief Executive of PensionDanmark, co-opted to the role of Vice Chair
  • Jon Johnsen, CEO, PKA appointed as Board Member
  • Helena Vines Fiestas, Global Head of Stewardship and Policy, Deputy Global Head of Sustainability, BNP Paribas Asset Management appointed as Board Member for a second term

Changes to the board follow a year of significant growth for IIGCC indicating a clear continued increase in the importance of climate change to Europe’s leading investors. In 2020, IIGCC has seen a 28% increase in membership revenue with 74 new members in 2020. IIGCC now has 275 members in total, with over €35 trillion in assets collectively under management.

Faith Ward will be IIGCC’s first female Chair and succeeds Peter Damgaard Jensen who stands down after seven years as a board member, three of which as Chair. Torben Möger Pederson joins Grégoire Haenni, Chief Investment Officer of the pension fund of the state of Geneva (CPEG) as Vice Chair.

The new board members were confirmed at IIGCC’s AGM which focused on the road ahead and role of investors in helping lead the transformation of the global economy. Speakers, including HRH The Prince of Wales, Patricia Espinosa Executive Secretary, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate. Fatih Birol Executive Director, International Energy Agency and Bernard Looney, CEO of BP set out the importance of meeting this objective.

Stephanie Pfeifer, CEO, IIGCC said: “2021 is a vital year for our sector. As we look ahead to next year, we will be working with our members to advocate for real progress towards a net zero and resilient future”.

“IIGCC will provide a platform to showcase investor action in the run-up to and at COP26. We will also be working with our members to inform policy dialogue and build policy momentum ahead of Glasgow as well as supporting investor engagement with companies.

“Our new board members join us at a moment of true global significance and opportunity and we are delighted to welcome them.”

Faith Ward, Chair, IIGCC and Chief Responsible Investment Officer, Brunel Pension Partnership said:

“My priorities are to motivate and persuade investors to use the Net Zero Investment Framework and to enable our industry to evidence that it can truly deliver a Net Zero future.

“We need to work harder and faster, as an industry and as a society. Fundamentally, we need to work together. I am delighted to receive the support of the members to chair the Board of IIGCC in what I believe will be the most important time of our lives to achieve the Net Zero transition.”

Torben Möger Pedersen, chief executive of PensionDanmark, adds:

“I am honoured to be appointed Vice Chair of IIGCC. The green transition needs private investments at a large scale and I look forward to use the experience of PensionDanmark with our long track record in green finance and our international network to strengthen the role of IIGCC in partnering with the many stakeholders in this area.”

– Ends –

Notes to Editor

The new board members join those already appointed who are staying on in this role, namely:

  • Grégoire Haenni, Chief Investment Officer, Caisse de Prévoyance de l’Etat de Genève
  • Adam Matthews, Director of Ethics and Engagement, Church of England Pensions Board
  • Ian Simm, Founder and Chief Executive, IMPAX Asset Management and IIGCC Treasurer
  • Jelle van der Giessen, Chief Investment Officer, NN Group
  • Roelfien Kuijpers, Head of Responsible Investments and Head of Global Client Group for Ireland, Scandinavia and UK, DWS
  • Karlijn van Lierop, Director for Responsible Investment and Member of Management Fiduciary Advice, MN
  • Udo Riese, Global Head of Risk and Monitoring, Allianz Investment Management SE

IIGCC: The Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change is the European membership body for investor collaboration on climate change and the voice of investors taking action for a prosperous, low-carbon future. IIGCC has more than 270 members, mainly pension funds and asset managers, across 16 countries, with over €35 trillion in assets under management. IIGCC works to support and help define the public policies, investment practices and corporate behaviours that address the long-term risks and opportunities associated with climate change.

For more information visit www.iigcc.org and @iigccnews.

A copy of the press release can be found here.