Investment management firm Fidelity International announced today the expansion of its sustainability team with two new senior hires, including Phil Cliff, joining from M&G Investments, and Aaron Hay, from Federated Hermes, as Directors, Sustainable Investing.

The announcement marks the latest in a series of senior sustainability-focused appointments for the firm, including the recent appointment of Jenn-Hui Tan as its first Chief Sustainability Officer, and of Ellie Tang last year as Director, Sustainable Investing based in Hong Kong.

As Director, Sustainable Investing (Climate), Cliff will work to enhance Fidelity’s climate strategy and transition plan, with a focus on the firm’s commitments to cut portfolio emissions in half by 2030, and to reach net zero by 2050, as well as ensuring that Fidelity’s reporting strategy is aligned with the integration of climate considerations in the investment process, as well as its process to achieve net zero operational emissions by 2030.

Cliff joined M&G Investments in 2011, and has most recently been serving as Head of Climate, and led the firm’s climate strategy and transition plan, which included the creation of M&G’s net zero investment framework, portfolio analytics tool, scenario modelling and climate reporting.

In his new role as Director, Sustainable Investing (Private Credit), Hay will lead the development and execution of the sustainable investing strategy for Fidelity’s private credit capabilities, ensuring consistent, robust and effective integration of ESG throughout the investment process, as well as leading the stewardship and engagement activities for the firm’s private credit holdings, working closely with borrowers in a range of sectors to improve ESG outcomes.

Hay joins the firm from Federated Hermes, where he has been serving as Director, Engagement & Strategy – Sustainable Fixed Income, responsible for stewardship and thematic strategies in sustainable fixed income products, with focus on directing the firm’s corporate engagement program for SDG Engagement High Yield. Prior to joining Federated Hermes, Hay served as Strategy Manager, Sustainability at professional services firm Accenture.

Jenn-Hui Tan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Fidelity International said:

“The sustainability landscape is evolving at an ever-increasing pace. In order to ensure we are at the forefront of this change, we continue to invest in talent to drive innovation and best practice at Fidelity. Phil and Aaron have extensive experience in their respective fields of knowledge and will add bench strength to the ESG team’s existing deep global expertise.”