PGIM continues commitment to ESG with newly created global head of ESG role

NEWARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
PGIM, the $1.5 trillion global investment management business of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), continues and deepens its focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing with the appointment of Eugenia Unanyants-Jackson to the newly created role of global head of ESG, effective immediately. Based in London and reporting to PGIM’s chief operating officer, Taimur Hyat, Unanyants-Jackson will be responsible for shaping and coordinating ESG strategy and approach across PGIM, including chairing the PGIM ESG Council and engaging with clients, consultants, regulators, and industry associations.

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“Given PGIM’s global scale and footprint, we have immense potential to make a positive impact and address many of today’s ESG challenges.” -- Eugenia Unanyants-Jackson, Global Head of ESG, PGIM (Photo: Business Wire)

Having joined PGIM Fixed Income in 2020 as the firm’s inaugural head of ESG Research, Unanyants-Jackson was most recently charged with continuing to integrate ESG considerations into all aspects of the fixed income investment process, analyzing ESG risks and opportunities and assessing potential negative or positive impacts on the environment and society. During her tenure at PGIM Fixed Income, Unanyants-Jackson led the development of ESG Impact Ratings, a proprietary tool to help clients invest according to their ESG preferences. She also oversaw the first publication of PGIM Fixed Income’s ESG Annual Report detailing the ESG ratings framework and helping ensure clients understand the firm’s approach to ESG across all portfolios.

“PGIM’s multi-manager model allows for each business to integrate ESG considerations optimally for their specific asset class and investment style. However, in recognition of the critical importance of ESG across our client base, we want to invest in further enriching our ESG expertise, research, analytical capabilities, and industry leadership across PGIM,” said Hyat. “With over a decade and a half of specialist expertise in sustainable investing and ESG, Eugenia not only brings an incredible breadth of knowledge, but also true leadership in the investment management industry as we drive new ways of thinking about ESG analysis, integration and engagement.”

PGIM has a long track record of ESG integration and sustainable investing. For example, PGIM’s fundamental equities and fixed income businesses have actively integrated ESG factors into investment research and decision-making, analyzing ESG risks and opportunities with an eye toward potential negative or positive impacts on the value of investments. PGIM’s businesses have also responded to a strong and growing demand from clients to embed considerations of environmental and social sustainability, as well as the impact of investments on the environment and society, into PGIM’s investment research and product offering. PGIM’s real estate investment and financing business, PGIM Real Estate, has invested more than $5 billion across affordable housing and transformative development properties. PGIM Fixed Income has developed an ESG impact assessment framework and launched dedicated ESG strategies for institutional and retail clients, while PGIM’s private credit business, PGIM Private Capital, has actively invested in renewable power for the past 15 years.

“Given PGIM’s global scale and footprint, we have immense potential to make a positive impact and address many of today’s ESG challenges,” Unanyants-Jackson said. “I am thrilled for the opportunity to further advance PGIM’s ESG strategy and leverage our existing and in certain cases longstanding ESG capabilities to help our investors meet their sustainability objectives in coordination with each of PGIM’s businesses.”

Building on the foundation Unanyants-Jackson established, PGIM Fixed Income has named John Ploeg and Armelle de Vienne co-heads of ESG Research, reporting to Richard Greenwood, head of Credit. Ploeg, based in London, and de Vienne, based in Newark, will step into their roles immediately, having previously worked as ESG specialists and regional team leads within PGIM Fixed Income’s ESG Research team.

Ploeg brings extensive experience across the investment and ESG functions within the firm. In his role as ESG specialist and EMEA ESG team lead, Ploeg served as member of the firm’s ESG committee and was involved in all aspects of its ESG approach, including the maintenance and enhancement of its ESG ratings methodology.

De Vienne most recently worked alongside Ploeg as an ESG specialist and U.S. team lead. Prior to joining PGIM Fixed Income in 2021, she worked at Rockefeller Capital Management and was responsible for equity and ESG research, stock selection, and ESG engagement for Rockefeller’s environmental impact strategies.

“We’re pleased to have John and Armelle take the helm leading ESG research for PGIM Fixed Income. Our credit analysts, investment teams and clients will undoubtedly benefit from their combined experience and continued efforts to grow our ESG capabilities,” said Mike Lillard, head of PGIM Fixed Income. “The ability to promote from within speaks to our talent model and the caliber of individuals driving our investment process. John and Armelle bring continuity to our ESG approach, a critical component as we partner with clients to invest in accordance with their ESG beliefs and objectives.”

ABOUT PGIM

PGIM, the global asset management business of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), ranks among the top 10 largest asset managers in the world^* with more than $1.5 trillion in assets under management as of Sept. 30, 2021. With offices in 17 countries, PGIM’s businesses offer a range of investment solutions for retail and institutional investors around the world across a broad range of asset classes, including public fixed income, private fixed income, fundamental equity, quantitative equity, real estate and alternatives. For more information about PGIM, visit pgim.com.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (PFI) of the United States is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential plc, incorporated in the United Kingdom, or with Prudential Assurance Company, a subsidiary of M&G plc, incorporated in the United Kingdom. For more information please visit news.prudential.com.

*PGIM is the investment management business of Prudential Financial, Inc. (PFI); PFI is the 10th largest investment manager (out of 477 firms surveyed) in terms of global assets under management based on Pensions & Investments’ Top Money Managers list published on May 31, 2021. This ranking represents global assets under management by PFI as of Dec. 31, 2020.

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Source: PGIM