Capital Group has named Jessica Ground as global head of ESG, a day after it was announced she is leaving Schroders after 20 years.
Ground (pictured) will join Capital Group’s London office in September and be responsible for incorporating its ESG approach into the investment process globally. She will work with teams across investment groups, distribution, marketing and technology.
On Wednesday Schroders announced Ground, who has been with the firm since 1997, was leaving her role as global head of stewardship to “take the next step in her career”. Head of sustainable research Andy Howard has been promoted to global head of sustainable investment.
At Schroders, Ground was responsible for leading a team of ESG analysts and corporate governance specialists integrating ESG across geographies and asset classes. During her two decades at the firm, she worked as a fund manager on the UK equity team and as a research analyst covering financials and utilities.
Ground is also chair of the Investment Association’s stewardship committee and board member of the Investor Forum.
Capital Group vice chairman Rob Lovelace said: “We’re delighted to appoint someone of Jessica’s calibre and experience to work with our teams to further integrate ESG at Capital Group. ESG is an area of great strategic importance for us and our clients, and we will continue to invest resources to it.”
Ground added: “Investors increasingly place ESG considerations as a top priority to inform their investment decisions. I look forward to working alongside the experienced Capital Group team to further integrate ESG factors into the firm’s investment process and deliver services that align with clients’ growing expectations.”
