Mercer appoints Rebecca Mather Sustainable Investment Leader, Pacific
New Zealand, June 21, 2022
Mercer has announced the appointment of Rebecca Mather in the role of Sustainable Investment Leader, Pacific following increased client demand and growth across the firm’s Sustainable Investment (SI) business.
Ms Mather first joined Mercer in 2001, and transitioned to the firm’s SI business in 2007. In addition to being responsible for the commercial objectives of the region’s SI team, Ms Mather will continue to advise a range of clients across super funds, endowments and foundations, insurers and government bodies on all sustainable investing matters.
The firm is also recruiting for a Client Leader, Sustainable Investing – Pacific, who will be responsible for leading ESG and climate advice to clients.
“Globally, acceptance and advancement of sustainable investment has accelerated in recent years, most notably in addressing climate change,” Ms Mather said.
“Investors are under increasing pressure from their stakeholders to ensure that environmental, social and governance risks and opportunities are effectively incorporated, while meeting fiduciary obligations and managing growing scrutiny from regulators as well as the public.
Sustainable Investment Leader, Pacific
“At the same time, the issues that investors must consider have also proliferated. Where climate change was once front and centre, the stage is now shared with other ESG concerns such as biodiversity, modern slavery, and diversity, equity and inclusion, just to name a few,” she said.
Mercer’s Pacific SI business last year saw record growth, with significant increases in new clients advised on sustainable investment and low carbon transition, and new projects providing implementable advice in sustainable investing. Looking forward, the recent merger of BT Super into Mercer Super brings further growth potential with an increase in sustainable investment assets under management.
The firm’s award-winning[1] SI team has more than 20 dedicated professionals and 45 with integrated sustainable investing capabilities globally. Across the firm’s implemented consulting practice globally to date, Mercer has committed more than US$80 billion of diversified funds to net-zero targets and implemented US$30 billion in dedicated sustainable investment solutions across 13 products.
Mercer’s Global Head of Investment Research, Jo Holden, said the business would continue to invest in top sustainable investing talent.
“For decades, Mercer has broken new ground in sustainable investment to ensure we solve for our clients’ needs through innovation and deep global insights. In Asia-Pacific alone, last year we doubled the size of our SI team, and we’ll continue to invest in top talent” Ms Holden said.
[1] Environmental Finance, Sustainable Investment Awards, 2021 Winner – Investment consultant of the year