Hugh Lawson to Lead Goldman Sachs’ ESG Efforts
Hugh Lawson, an RBF trustee, will lead Goldman Sachs Asset Management's (GSAM) global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts in a newly created position. Mr. Lawson will continue to serve in his role as global head of institutional client strategy at Goldman Sachs, as he assumes the responsibilities of further developing GSAM's ESG strategy. Mr. Lawson joined the Rockefeller Brothers Fund's board of trustees in 2014, and serves as chair of its Investment Committee, leading the Fund's divestment and impact investing efforts. He also serves on the Fund's Executive and Compensation committees.
Mr. Lawson told The Guardian that in taking steps to divest the Fund's portfolio "we haven’t compromised our return profile or increased our risk." Also featured are investment committee members Audrey Choi, who leads Morgan Stanley’s global sustainable finance group, and Adam Wolfensohn, an impact-oriented asset manager and co-partner at Encourage Capital.
Related Links
Pensions & Investments: "Goldman Sachs Asset Management names ESG leader" (June 9, 2015)
The Guardian: "Sustainable investing: are companies finally moving money away from fossil fuels?" (September 16, 2015)
Why the Fund Decided to Divest from Fossil Fuels (April 1, 2015)