The appointment is part of WFAM’s strategy to enhance its already strong ESG expertise and capabilities
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) announced today that Hannah
Skeates has been appointed global head of Environmental, Social, and
Governance (ESG). Hannah is based in London and will report to Fredrik
Axsater, head of WFAM Strategic Business Segments.
In this role, Hannah is responsible for creating and executing a
holistic vision for the ESG segment within WFAM, Wells Fargo’s asset
management division, which includes 28 investment teams. She will also
partner across Wells Fargo’s Wealth and Investment Management (WIM)
division to ensure a unified ESG vision and approach throughout the
broader organization.
Hannah joined WFAM in January from S&P Dow Jones Indices, where she
served as head of global ESG strategy. Prior to that, Hannah served in
various roles at BlackRock and Barclays Global Investors in the United
States and Europe, including as the iShares global head of sustainable
investments and head of iShares EMEA product strategy. She is a senior
associate at the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability
Leadership.
The appointment is part of WFAM’s ongoing effort to expand and enhance
its ESG capabilities.
In August, Chris McKnett joined WFAM as senior ESG investment strategist
from State Street Global Advisors. Chris is focused on leveraging WFAM’s
solutions-focused approach to help clients develop and implement ESG
strategies, as well as leading the global marketplace through
proprietary ESG research.
Jessica Mann, CFA, is taking on the newly established role of
head of Stewardship for WFAM. In addition to her role as a senior ESG
advisor, Jessica will focus on strengthening the firm’s proxy voting
effort and company engagement, as well as forming stronger ties with
Wells Fargo corporate responsibility initiatives. Jessica joined Wells
Fargo in 2003.
Jessica and Chris are both based in San Francisco and will report to
Hannah.
“ESG is one of the greatest challenges and opportunities facing our
clients,” says Axsater. “WFAM is focused on solving the most pressing
challenges of our clients, and with the collective experience of Hannah,
Jessica, and Chris, we believe we are even better positioned to provide
exceptional ESG expertise and solutions.”
“We believe ESG investing is investing in a better future,” Axsater
added.
About WFAM ESG investing
Through our independent and specialized investment teams, WFAM brings
together a strategic balance of investment capabilities to serve the
investment needs of our clients worldwide: institutions, intermediaries,
and individuals. We understand ESG issues are among the important
considerations that may be incorporated by our investment teams within
their evaluation and decision-making.
Our focus is on delivering investment outcomes that meet our clients'
needs, including alignment with the priorities and values that matter
most to them, and in understanding wide-ranging impacts in a changing
world.
We are developing close partnerships with leading industry associations,
disclosures and standards bodies, and nonprofit organizations to help
lead and drive the latest approaches to the integration of ESG in
financial strategies and processes.
About Wells Fargo Asset Management
Wells Fargo Asset Management, a division of Wells Fargo Wealth and
Investment Management, strives to help clients achieve their financial
goals through top-tier investment options managed by specialized
investment teams that are supported by independent risk management and
backed by superior, collaborative service. With more than $466 billion
in assets under management,* Wells Fargo Asset Management has 29
autonomous investment teams with specialized expertise and proven
processes, more than 500 investment professionals, and a global reach
with offices and clients around the world.
About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified, community-based
financial services company with $1.9 trillion in assets.* Wells Fargo’s
vision is to satisfy our customers’ financial needs and help them
succeed financially. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco,
Wells Fargo provides banking, investment and mortgage products and
services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through 7,800
locations, more than 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and
mobile banking, and has offices in 37 countries and territories to
support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With
approximately 259,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three
households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 26
on Fortune’s 2018 rankings of America’s largest corporations. News,
insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells
Fargo Stories.
*As of December 31, 2018
Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM) is the trade name for certain
investment advisory/management firms owned by Wells Fargo & Company.
These firms include but are not limited to Wells Capital Management
Incorporated and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Certain products
managed by WFAM entities are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds
Distributor, LLC (a broker/dealer and Member FINRA).
This material is for general informational and educational purposes only
and is NOT intended to provide investment advice or a recommendation of
any kind—including a recommendation for any specific investment,
strategy, or plan. 321117 2-19
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