Investment executive to depart HESTA

HESTA has announced that Rob Fowler, the fund's executive of investment execution, will retire in July 2019, resulting in a new role being created to lead investment execution at the $46 billion industry fund.

In acknowledging Fowler's 15 years of service, first as chief investment officer and then as head of investment operations and execution, HESTA CEO, Debby Blakey, said: "Rob was the second HESTA employee hired in our investments team and over many years he has made an amazing difference to the financial future of our members through delivering strong, long-term investment performance."

She added: "Rob has shown incredible leadership and strategic foresight, spearheading the establishment of HESTA as a global leader in responsible investment ... As CIO, he pioneered the integration of ESG into mainstream investment mandates across all asset classes domestically and was a leader in global ESG integration by investment managers. Rob also led the implementation of total portfolio screens for tobacco and thermal coal at HESTA."

Commenting on his departure, Fowler said that its been "an incredible honour to have been entrusted with growing and protecting [members'] hard-earned savings," and that after more than 30 years in the investment industry, he is "looking forward to stepping back from a full- time role and exploring different types of opportunities."

Fowler is also the founding and current chair of ESG Research Australia, a collaboration of super funds, fund managers and asset consultants aimed at increasing stockbroker research that includes consideration of ESG issues.