ESG and responsible investment

Dr Ian Woods joined AMP Capital in December 2000, and since that time has focussed on how the issues of sustainability and ESG relate to financial investment and the investment risks. Dr Woods’ background is in environmental and risk consulting both in Asia/Pacific region and Europe. Ian assesses the management of intangible assets of companies on the Australian Securities Exchange through the assessment of governance ESG issues and in engaging with these companies in the areas of corporate social responsibility and sustainability.

Dr Woods also undertakes assessment of greenhouse gas risk issues for the wider AMP Capital Investment teams and has undertaken a number of studies in this area.

Adam, as Head of Environment, Social and Governance based in the Managing Director’s Office, is responsible for building upon the strong foundation AMP Capital has set in adopting the UN Principles for Responsible Investment and integrating ESG considerations. His role includes facilitating continued implementation of responsible investment practices in all asset classes including listed equities, infrastructure, property, fixed income and credit. Adam also engages with other Australian companies on ESG issues and supports the implementation of environmental targets for the broader AMP group.

Adam has extensive international expertise in ESG issues. Prior to joining AMP Capital, Adam led risk advisory practices in global management consulting and professional services firms and was also program manager for Energy and Climate Change at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development in Geneva.

Karin Halliday was appointed to her current position with AMP Capital in May 2000. She is responsible for determining how AMP Capital votes on behalf of the firm and its clients, at all meetings held by the Australian companies in which AMP Capital invests. In doing so, Karin also monitors various aspects of corporate governance in many Australian companies. Before taking on her current role, Karin was Investment Manager within the Specialist Funds Team at AMP Capital Investors for two years.

Prior to this Karin had a range of Portfolio Management roles within AMP Capital Investors between June 1987 and June 1998, where she managed a wide range of Australian based share trusts and was responsible the Australian and international share component of a range of separately managed portfolios. Karin joined AMP in January 1984. Karin has more than 29 years of experience in the industry.

Kristen joined the ESG Investment Research Team in October 2015 with responsibility for the analysis of ESG issues and sustainability drivers across a number of sectors, as well as company engagement on ESG practises at the board level. Kristen has a diverse background with experience across ESG research and corporate governance, sell-side investment advisory and commercial litigation.

Kristen joined AMP Capital from APP Securities, where she was Associate Director, Financials on the institutional desk, providing sell-side research to large institutions on banks, insurers and diversified financials. Prior to this, Kristen was a Senior Analyst with Ownership Matters, a corporate governance advisory firm where her clients included large fund managers. Before entering the investment industry, Kristen was a commercial litigator at Piper Alderman and ran large cases in the Supreme and Federal Courts for insurance and transport companies. Kristen started her career as a business journalist with Fairfax, writing on small and mid-cap companies for The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and BRW. Kristen holds bachelor degrees in Commerce and Law from the University of Sydney and has just completed her Master of Laws at the same institution

Richard was appointed to his current role of ESG Team Assistant Analyst in January 2015. Prior to joining AMP Capital in 2013 as a Business Operations Manager, Richard worked in a number of roles in both asset management and investment banking.

Richard started work in the financial services industry in 1995 with Standard Chartered in its Treasury team. Since then, Richard has held a number of roles including running the operational side of a hedge fund as well as working in a wide variety of roles in leading financial firms such as Goldman Sachs, HSBC and UBS in both London and Sydney. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Economics from Royal Holloway, University of London. Richard brings solid project management and governance experience to the ESG team.