Former Cbus Super chief executive and AMP Capital deputy CEO, David Atkin, has been appointed as Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) new CEO.
Atkin’s appointment would be effective from 10 December, 2021, and he would take over from Fiona Reynolds who stepped down from the role in June. Atkin would join PRI on 15 November in an adviser role and Reynolds would stay in an advisory capacity at PRI until early 2022 to ensure a seamless transition.
Atkin had previously served as CEO at Cbus, ESS Super, and Just Super, and was most recently deputy CEO at AMP Capital. He had also served as a PRI board director for six years until 2015.
Atkin would relocate to PRI’s headquarters in London from Australia in March 2022. Similarly, Reynolds would relocate from London back to Australia in the new year.
“I am very excited to be given this opportunity to lead the PRI in its next phase of meeting the needs of its broad and diverse signatory base,” Atkin said.
“Responsible investment has entered the mainstream and today, for the first time, the majority of investors around the world recognise the importance of incorporating ESG [environmental, social and governance] factors into their investment and ownership activities.”
Commenting, Reynolds said: “I have known David for more than 20 years, and he is a natural leader who is passionate about sustainable investing. He has incredibly strong knowledge and experience of the powerful role investors can play as stewards of capital, and will be an asset to PRI as it continues to grow”.
PRI worked to understand the investment implications of ESG factors and to support its international network of more than 4,300 signatories with over US$121 trillion ($160.8 trillion) of assets under management.
