Loomis Sayles chooses director of ESG

Kathleen M. Bochman was named director of ESG at Loomis, Sayles & Co., a spokeswoman said in an email.

It is a new position.

Ms. Bochman will lead Loomis Sayles' existing environmental, social and governance committee "to provide strategic support to investment teams, conduct internal education and serve as a thought leader for the firm on material sustainability issues," the firm said in a Tuesday news release. Additionally, Ms. Bochman will work with investment teams to identify engagement opportunities with companies.

She will report to David Waldman, deputy chief investment officer.

Ms. Bochman is currently a co-portfolio manager for Loomis Sayles' large-cap core strategy. She will retain those responsibilities in addition to her role as ESG director, the spokeswoman said.

"Providing superior long-term performance is at the heart of every Loomis Sayles investment strategy, and we understand the important role that ESG issues play in the global economy, financial markets and society," said Kevin Charleston, CEO and president, in the release. "We recognize the importance of conducting ourselves as responsible global citizens, and Kathleen's new role further affirms our commitment to ESG considerations and their inherent role as part of our investment processes."

In 2013, Loomis Sayles' senior management launched an effort to integrate ESG considerations into every team's investment process. The firm is a signatory of the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment and the U.K. Stewardship Code.

It had $266.6 billion in assets under management as of March 31.