UniSuper appoints Manager, Sustainable Portfolios and Governance

UniSuper has announced the appointment of Lou Capparelli as the $70 billion fund's new manager of sustainable portfolios and governance.

Capparelli, who joined the fund in July 2015 as a senior analyst, most recently served as UniSuper's manager, equities. Previously, he held senior roles at Blackrock and Evans and Partners.

Commenting on his appointment, UniSuper's chief investment officer John Pearce said: "ESG teams are typically staffed by people who do not have direct portfolio management responsibilities, so Lou's appointment places us in a relatively unique position in the industry. His appointment is testament to how committed we are to factoring environmental, social, and governance considerations into the investment process."

Capparelli replaces Talieh Williams who held the role of manager governance and sustainable investment for over a decade before deciding to take an extended career break to focus on her health, fitness and family, the fund said.

UniSuper has also announced the appointment of Penny Heard as a portfolio manager within the fund's global strategies and quantitative team.