Antti Savilaakso joined Auriel Capital as a partner, said a spokesman for the money management firm.
The position is new and is an expansion at Auriel, said the spokesman in an e-mail. Mr. Savilaakso, based in London, is developing the firm's research and use of environmental, social and governance research as a source of alpha.
“We believe many ESG issues are not correctly pried and this provides a unique opportunity for alpha creation,” said Larry Abele, founder of Auriel Capital, in a news release. “(Mr. Savilaakso) has a deep understanding of how sustainability issues will play out in the investment world and how we can profit by being part of the solution. As well as contributing to the overall research of the firm, (he) will focus on building thematic trade ideas for use in our absolute return fund.”
Auriel Capital specializes in equity market-neutral strategies. The spokesman said the firm does not disclose assets under management.
Mr. Savilaakso was previously head of ESG research for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at MSCI. A spokeswoman was not available to comment by press time.