Stephanie Maier was named global head of sustainable and impact investment at GAM Investments, effective Jan. 4.
The role is new.
Reporting to group CEO Peter Sanderson, Ms. Maier will also become a member of the senior leadership team.
She will lead GAM's sustainable investment and ESG strategy and will be responsible for strengthening the firm's ESG proposition for clients.
Sustainability will be an increasingly important focus for the business in 2021, a spokeswoman said in an email. "We are listening to clear client demand for more sustainable-focused strategies," she added.
Ms. Maier will expand on work by the existing team, led by Mark Harland, head of governance and responsible investment. Mr. Harland will report directly to Ms. Maier, the spokeswoman said.
"COVID-19 has served to further reinforce the importance of ESG considerations both to GAM and to our clients and Stephanie's appointment represents our continued commitment to providing the investment leadership, innovation and sustainable thinking required to meet our clients' needs," Mr. Sanderson said in a news release.
The group had $131.1 billion in assets under management as of Sept. 30.
Ms. Maier was director for responsible investment at HSBC Global Asset Management.
"While we conduct a search for her replacement, her role will be covered in the interim by our 14-strong global responsible investments team," a statement by HSBC GAM said. "This includes the two new significant appointments we made this year of Michael Ridley as director, responsible investment and Rachida Mourahib as head of fixed income ESG and green research."
The statement noted that the team is also supported by portfolio managers and analysts from across the firm's investment capabilities.
"HSBC Global Asset Management remains committed to responsible investing and aims to incorporate environmental, social and governance factors in our investment decisions to generate sustainable, long-term returns," the statement said.