Thomas Roulland will join Allianz Global Investors as head of the new sustainability methodologies and analytics team, a spokeswoman confirmed.
The newly created role is part of a swathe of changes effective April 1 and related to a restructure of AllianzGI's sustainable investment team, led by Matt Christensen, global head of sustainable and impact investing.
The sustainability methodologies and analytics team, led by Mr. Roulland, will use technology and ESG data, including artificial intelligence and natural language processing to support research, develop new methodologies across asset classes and create client-oriented solutions. The team will also oversee AllianzGI's ESG integration, ESG scoring method and will develop its data set for its climate strategy.
Mr. Roulland will join from AXA Investment Managers, where he was head of responsible investment solutions, models and tools. A spokesman confirmed his departure, thanked him for his work and said the firm is working on hiring a replacement.
AllianzGI will also create a sustainability research and stewardship team, to be led by Mark Wade. Mr. Wade was co-director of research credit. The spokeswoman declined to comment on any replacement.
The team will manage the thematic research and engagement strategy for the firm. Isabel Reuss will continue to lead the firm's sustainability research team, which will develop a thematic approach to investing related to climate, planetary boundaries and inclusive capitalism.
Antje Stobbe was named head of stewardship within the team — a new role, the spokeswoman said. She will lead AllianzGI's engagement and proxy voting activities globally. Ms. Stobbe was senior ESG analyst and will not be directly replaced.
The final part of the changes will see the creation of a sustainable investment office, which will be responsible for shaping AllianzGI's overall sustainable investment strategy and policies, sustainable product strategy and coordinating sustainability topics across the firm. The team will be led by Nina Hodzic as head of the sustainable investment office. Ms. Hodzic was director ESG integration and solutions. She will not be directly replaced, the spokeswoman said.
"We have strong ambitions with regard to carbon reduction, and the new team will be instrumental in transforming the pathway set out by the net-zero initiatives into operational targets for investors and comprehensive reporting to our clients," Mr. Christensen said in a news release.
AllianzGI had €582 billion ($714.8 billion) in assets under management as of Dec. 31.
