United StatesLondon, 9 March, 2023 – Impax Asset Management (“Impax”), a specialist asset manager investing in the transition to a more sustainable economy, today announced the appointment of Shahbano Soomro as Deputy Head of Policy & Advocacy.
In this newly created role, Shahbano will help provide Impax’s investment team with policy insights to inform their stock selection and portfolio construction and will support the development of the company’s public advocacy activities. Based in London, Shabhano reports to Chris Dodwell, Head of Policy & Advocacy.
Policy analysis plays an important role in the work of Impax’s investment team given the influence of public policy on the development of markets for environmental and climate solutions. Impax’s investment team uses this analysis as a key input into portfolio management, and the identification of new investment opportunities.
In addition, Impax actively engages in the policy development process, working in partnership with clients and stakeholders to advocate for the ambitious and effective policy measures needed to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, more sustainable economy. Impax’s activities focus on four key themes: financing the transition to net-zero emissions; greening the financial system; nature and biodiversity loss; and social impacts.
Shahbano has significant experience working with public and private sector organisations on the transition to a more sustainable economy, supporting the development of net-zero scenarios and investment plans to mobilise private capital in strategic sectors and technologies. She joins Impax from Vivid Economics, part of McKinsey & Co, where she advised financial institutions on the design and implementation of sustainability strategies and products, helped to identify sustainable investment opportunities and assess the climate and social impact of clients. She holds an MSc in International Economic Policy from Sciences Po, France and a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Oxford.
Chris Dodwell, Head of Policy & Advocacy, Impax Asset Management said: “We are very excited by this appointment. Shahbano is an excellent addition to our growing team and will add significant additional capacity to our investment insight and public advocacy efforts. She has outstanding expertise in the economic and political factors supporting the transition to a more sustainable economy and will help provide deeper insights to our investment team and to our clients.”
Shahbano Soomro added: “Public policy and advocacy is clearly central to Impax’s approach as a pioneer in investing in the transition to a more sustainable economy. I’m looking forward to moving this agenda forward, focusing on important areas such as how to accelerate the greening of the financial system and ensuring a better understanding around the risks and investable opportunities related to biodiversity and nature.”
ENDS
Contact
Montfort Communications
Impax@montfort.london
Jack Roddan / Lesley Wang
+44 7825 670695 / +44 7752329851
About Impax
Founded in 1998, Impax is a specialist asset manager, with approximately £40.4bn/$49.7bn AUM as at 31 January 2023, in both listed and private markets strategies, investing in the opportunities arising from the transition to a more sustainable global economy.
Impax believes that capital markets will be shaped profoundly by global sustainability challenges, including climate change, pollution and essential investments in human capital, infrastructure and resource efficiency. These trends will drive growth for well-positioned companies and create risks for those unable or unwilling to adapt.
The company seeks to invest in higher quality companies with strong business models that demonstrate sound management of risk. Impax offers a well-rounded suite of investment solutions spanning multiple asset classes seeking superior risk-adjusted returns over the medium to long term.
Impax has ca. 300 staff across its offices in the United Kingdom, the United States, Ireland and Hong Kong, making it one of the investment management sector’s largest investment teams dedicated to sustainable development.