Global investment manager IFM Investors has appointed Maria Nazarova-Doyle as head of sustainable investment.

Nazarova-Doyle, based in London, is joining in the newly created role from UK-based pensions company Scottish Widows where she was head of responsible investments and stewardship.

At IFM, Nazarova-Doyle will lead the firm’s global sustainable investment team, focusing on the implementation and measurement of sustainability initiatives across the business’s growing global portfolio which includes an $80bn (€73bn) infrastructure arm with investments such as toll roads, airports, seaports, and renewable energy. 

She will report to Luba Nikulina, who joined IFM as chief strategy officer in September last year.

Before joining Scottish Widows in 2020, Nazarova-Doyle held senior positions at JLT Employee Benefits and at Mercer.

Since 2022, Nazarova-Doyle has been a board member of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association and its policy committee. She is also an active member of the PMI Advisory Council, ABI Climate Change and Stewardship Working Groups, Occupational Pensions Stewardship Council and a number of government-led taskforces.

Nikulina said: “Maria joins IFM at a crucial moment in our industry’s adoption of more sustainable investing processes, as clients continue to turn their attention towards both the opportunities and challenges of issues like climate change and energy security. “

“Maria’s in-depth experience and technical knowledge of investment stewardship helps strengthen our broader sustainable investment team and will support our clients in achieving their investment objectives.”

Nazarova-Doyle said: “There is real opportunity for global investment managers to deliver returns for clients, while also embedding sustainable investment practices into their decision making.

“Positive change is urgently required in the real economy and IFM Investors’ position as one of the leading private market investors is an unrivalled platform to help create a more sustainable future.”

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