Adam Matthews appointed Director of Ethics and Engagement for the Church of England Pensions Board

This appointment reflects the Pension Board’s determination to become a leading global pension fund in terms of both ethical and responsible investment.

Adam will be a member of the Board’s Executive Team, joining Chief Investment Officer, Pierre Jameson, and the new CEO, John Ball, in delivering the Board’s ambition. As Director of Ethics and Engagement Adam will continue to Co-Chair the Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI) that now has the support of funds internationally with over £7 trillion in assets under management. 

Commenting on the appointment Dr Jonathan Spencer, Chair of the Pensions Board, said: "This is a strategic executive appointment, and reflects our ambition to be one of the world’s leading global pension funds from a financial and an ethical perspective. Adam has led the creation of the Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI) with the Environment Agency Pension Fund. TPI has received support from funds from around the world and this new position is a further commitment by the Church of England Pensions Board, as a founding member, to continue to support and develop TPI as well as driving our wider approach to ethics and engagement."

Adam Matthews said: "The Pensions Board have clear ambitions to deliver change on the issues of climate, extractive industries, ethical and responsible investment. I am delighted to be working for the Board to deliver these ambitions and excited to be working alongside the CIO, Pierre Jameson, and with the newly appointed CEO, John Ball, to ensure we integrate and align our ethical and investment objectives."

With the creation of this new position, the following changes have been agreed between the Pensions Board and Church Commissioners:

• Stephen Barrie has become the Acting Secretary of the Ethical Investment Advisory Group (EIAG). The EIAG Secretariat will continue to be hosted by the Pensions Board.
• The joint voting and screening function will now be hosted by the Church Commissioners and as a result Sheila Stefani, the Voting and Screening Manager, will be transferring to the Commissioners.
• Whilst sharing a joint voting and screening function the Pensions Board and Commissioners will now be establishing their own in-house engagement teams that will work in close coordination. As a result, Carlota Garcia-Manas will now be joining the Church Commissioners.

These changes are now operational.