Bio

Leading the ESG research, engagement and the proxy voting group for the Vontobel Quality Growth equity boutique in New York. Over the past few years I have established a range of frameworks for investors to identify and compare risks and opportunities as new data sets, client demand and regulations change. We have invested tens of billions of dollars alongside these frameworks. I share some of the work behind this approach in the Vontobel Turning Stones blog. I believe investing and operational experience are vital backgrounds to ESG. Taking the easy road of exclusions + box ticking is becoming as much an industry risk as the operational risks it claims to remove. It removes consideration as well as subtle indicators that can flag significant risks. Building trust with managements takes time, understanding and alignment of views. My background includes finance and business development across Europe, US, Latin America, Asia and Australasia. My background covers both public and private equity, as a founder/CEO, analyst and investor. Over the past 30 years I have been based in the UK, Mexico and US. Beyond my current role, experience has included time as head of equity research (Americas) and head of private equity placement for BNP Paribas, and the founder of a private equity backed US based frozen food manufacturer. Specialties: ESG, Equity, Global Macro, Entrepreneur, Business Development, Multi-Asset and Equity Research.