Investment data and research provider MSCI announced the appointment of former Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) Chief Investment Officer Hiromichi (Hiro) Mizuno as Special Advisor to the CEO, with a particular focus on climate and sustainable investing issues.

Mizuno served as Executive Managing Director and CIO of GPIF, the world’s largest pension fund, from 2015 to 2020, and has been serving since early 2021 as the Special Envoy of U.N Secretary-General on Innovative Finance and Sustainable Investments. Prior to joining GPIF, Mizuno was a partner at London-based private equity firm Coller Capital.

In a statement announcing the appointment, MSCI said that Mizuno is “widely recognized as a pioneering figure in the world of sustainable investment,” recognized for “his impact and active efforts in advocating for and addressing climate change and gender diversity through investment practices.”

MSCI Chairman and CEO Henry Fernandez said;

“We are thrilled to welcome Hiro Mizuno to MSCI. His unparalleled investment experience and his leadership in integrating sustainability considerations into the investment process will undoubtedly enhance our own expertise and capabilities as we continue to build innovative solutions and research cutting-edge investment issues for our clients worldwide.”

In his new role, MSCI said that Mizuno will provide strategic counsel, thought leadership, and industry engagement in order to help the company empower investors with data-driven insights to navigate the complexities of investment risks and opportunities, particularly climate and other sustainability issues facing long-term investors.

Mizuno said:

“It is a privilege to join forces with MSCI at this transformative and challenging time for the investment industry. MSCI’s dedication to enabling sustainable investing aligns perfectly with my own values, and MSCI’s leadership in providing critical risk management tools for climate and ESG risks can help facilitate proper capital allocation. I look forward to collaborating with Henry and the team to continue driving insights and innovation across the investment landscape.”

Image source: World Economic Forum/Sandra Blaser