Active asset manager J O Hambro Capital Management (JOHCM) announces the launch of a Global Equity Impact strategy through its socially responsible and impact investment affiliate Regnan, following the appointment of a Global Equity Impact investment team. Regnan is a leading provider of ESG research, engagement and advisory services and is owned by Pendal Group, JOHCM’s Australian parent company. Pendal acquired full ownership of Regnan in February 2019 in order to establish an autonomous unit within the Group focused on delivering innovative and credible ESG and impact investment solutions.
 
The newly-hired four-person team will be based in JOHCM’s London office. It will be led by Tim Crockford, Senior Fund Manager, working with Mohsin Ahmad, Maxime Le Floch and Maxine Wille. The team previously managed the Hermes Impact Opportunities Equity Fund, which Crockford co-launched in December 2017.

The Global Equity Impact strategy is expected to launch in H2 2020. It will be a high conviction, diversified, global multi-cap approach with low portfolio turnover and a strong emphasis on driving impact through engagement. The team will aim to generate long-term outperformance by investing in mission-driven companies that generate value for investors by providing solutions for the growing unmet sustainability needs of society and the environment, using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as an investment lens. 

Alexandra Altinger, JOHCM CEO - UK, Europe & Asia, commented: “This is a highly important strategic initiative for JOHCM and Pendal. The team hire expands our investment capability while enabling us to leverage Regnan’s ESG expertise. It allows us to credibly provide specialist socially responsible products that meet growing client demand for investment approaches that go beyond traditional risk and return considerations.”

In common with all JOHCM investment strategies, the Global Equity Impact strategy will be managed to a capacity limit, agreed at launch, in order to safeguard liquidity and promote market-leading portfolio performance. 

Background on Regnan

Regnan is a leading provider of ESG research, engagement and advisory services. Its focus on environmental and social issues traces back to Monash University, Melbourne in 1996. Regnan was established to investigate and address ESG-related sources of risk and value for long-term shareholders in Australian companies. It has evolved to become a global leader in long-term value, systemic risk analysis and responsible investment advisory.

Regnan’s in-house team of experienced analysts produce rigorous, relevant ESG investment analysis. From this research and insight, the team tailors solutions to meet the specific needs of its asset-owner clients. These clients use Regnan’s services for a range of purposes from stock selection, portfolio construction and stewardship, through to all aspects of responsible investment framework development and implementation.

Regnan also advocates for ESG considerations to become mainstream through contribution to the public policy debate, board and committee-level participation in industry bodies, and submissions to government. Regnan staff recently co-authored a UN Principles for Responsible Investment report, “Active Ownership 2.0: the Evolution Stewardship Urgently Needs”.

www.regnan.com
www.unpri.org/investor-tools/stewardship

Pendal Group’s heritage in responsible investing and the Regnan relationship

Pendal Group’s heritage in responsible investing dates back to 1984, with the launch of the BT Australia Charities Trust¹. Today Pendal manages approximately A$2 billion in dedicated sustainable and ethical strategies on behalf of its clients. Pendal (then BT Investment Management) was a founder member of Regnan in 2007. In 2016, Pendal increased its ownership of Regnan to 50%. It acquired the remaining 50% share of Regnan in February 2019 in order to establish an autonomous unit within the Group focused on delivering innovative and credible ESG and impact investment solutions. For more details, please visit our website.
 

Team biographies

Tim Crockford – Senior Fund Manager
Tim Crockford managed the Hermes Impact Opportunities Equity Fund from its launch in December 2017, having co-founded the Hermes Impact team in August 2016. He joined Hermes Investment Management in 2009 as a research analyst for the European Equities team and became lead portfolio manager of the ESG-integrated Hermes Europe ex-UK Equity Fund in 2015, which he also managed until he left Hermes. Prior to joining Hermes, Tim was an analyst at Sourcecap, a European equity fund boutique, which Hermes acquired in 2009. Before that he was a primary research analyst at Execution Limited (which seeded Sourcecap), where he worked on major projects in the consumer, retail and financial services sectors. Tim was raised and educated in Malta and graduated from the University of Malta in 2006 with a Bachelor of Accountancy (Hons) degree, as well as a Bachelor of Commerce degree. 

Mohsin Ahmad, CFA 
Mohsin Ahmad was a senior analyst on the Hermes Impact Opportunities Equity Fund, having joined Hermes in 2017. Prior to joining Hermes, he was an investment manager at Pictet Asset Management on the World Equities Fund and worked with thematic equity funds, including Water, Clean Energy and Agriculture. Mohsin has a degree in Land Economy from Cambridge University and is a CFA charterholder. 

Maxime Le Floch, CFA 
Maxime Le Floch was an analyst on the Hermes Impact Opportunities Equity Fund. He joined Hermes in 2015, initially to lead the ESG integration work across equities and credit strategies. In 2016 Maxime transferred to the investment side where he helped develop the Impact Opportunities Equity Fund. Prior to joining Hermes, Maxime worked at AXA Investment Managers in London as a responsible investment analyst, covering the global energy and materials sectors, producing thematic research on sustainability trends and engaging with companies. Maxime graduated from Sciences Po Bordeaux in 2010 with a Master’s degree in Politics and Master’s in Economics. He is a CFA charterholder. 

Maxine Wille, CFA 
Maxine was an analyst on the Hermes Impact Opportunities Equity Fund. She transferred to the Hermes Impact Opportunities team in 2016, having initially joined the Hermes EOS team in 2014. Maxine headed up the chemicals sector team, while also focusing on the financial services, industrials and technology sectors. She holds an MA in International Relations from Edinburgh University, an MPhil degree in Management from Cambridge University and is a CFA charterholder.