Vicki Bakhshi was named head of governance and sustainable investment at F&C Asset Management, effective Wednesday, said spokeswoman Rizwana Issa.
Ms. Bakhshi replaced Karina Litvack, who left in November. In the interim, F&C reorganized the GSI team into three main business lines — engagement, governance and voting, and screening — Ms. Issa said. Only recently did executives decide to add a head of GSI "to drive the long-term strategic direction of the team," she said.
Ms. Bakhshi was head of engagement as part of the GSI team. Ms. Issa said F&C hasn't decided how it will handle Ms. Bakhshi's duties. In the interim, the GSI team is assuming them.
Ms. Bakhshi will report to Richard Watts, co-head of investment, Ms. Issa said.
The GSI team's focus includes assisting in the integration of environmental, social and governance issues into the F&C investment process as well as overseeing proxy voting and corporate engagement.
As of June 30, F&C had £92.3 billion ($147.8 billion) in assets managed in equities, fixed income and real estate.