The international business of Federated Hermes has appointed Olivia Lankester as Responsible Investing & Sustainability Director in its global emerging markets equities team, reporting to Kunjal Gala, Lead Portfolio Manager.
Joining this week, Lankester will work with the team to enhance and communicate its vision for responsible investing, ESG integration and engagement efforts at a portfolio level. As part of this work, she will further develop the team’s ESG analysis, determine whether portfolio companies are prepared for climate change risks and align companies to the UN SDGs. Lankester will work closely with EOS, the firm’s stewardship team with USD1.7 trillion AUA, to ensure a regular dialogue is maintained with all companies across the GEMs portfolio and progress is being consistently made against engagement objectives.
Lankester has over 20 years’ experience in Sustainability, most recently as Senior Director, Social Impact & Responsibility at the Lego Group. She was also a strategic advisor on the Lego Group’s Sustainability strategy covering brand purpose, social impact investment, responsible sourcing, circular economy and caring employer values. Olivia previously worked at Monsoon Accessorize as Head of Corporate Responsibility – responsible for developing and implementing responsibility strategy for the retailers at its 1000 stores globally. Lankester worked at F&C Asset Management covering pharma, food, retail, ICT and Emerging Markets as Associate Director – Governance and SRI before her corporate roles. Lankester has an MSc in Social Policy and Planning in Developing Countries from the London School of Economics and an MA in Modern History from the University of Oxford.
Gary Greenberg, Head of Global Emerging Markets, says: “We have always been active owners of the stocks we invest in, with ESG integration and engagement forming a key part of our investment process. Olivia’s role is vital in deepening our ESG awareness and knowledge of issues across our GEMs portfolio. The whole team is looking forward to working with Olivia to encourage our companies along a sustainable trajectory.”
Lankester says: “Federated Hermes has a long-standing commitment to responsible investing and I’ve been extremely impressed with their expertise and commitment in this field. I’m excited to be working with a team who are walking the talk and together we can use our firepower to meet both financial and sustainable outcomes on behalf of our clients.”
