The Church of England announced today the appointment of Anna McDonald as the Secretary to the Ethical Investment Advisory group (EIAG).
Anna will take up her position, based in Church House, London in mid-September.
The Ethical Investment Advisory Group provides advice on ethical investment matters to the three Church of England National Investing Bodies or ‘NIBs’ (i.e. the Church Commissioners, Pensions Board, and the church funds managed by CCLA Investment Management). Collectively they manage approximately £13bn of assets.
Anna joins the secretariat of the EIAG from Barclays Plc where she was Head of Corporate Banking in the Eastern region, leading client engagement particularly on sustainable investing and green banking. Prior to her current role Anna worked in global syndications and trading at BNP Paribas. Anna joined the Barclays Graduate Training Programme in 1997 having completed a BA (Hons) from the University of Southampton. She also has a BSc (Hons) from the University of Manchester and a qualification from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.
Commenting on her appointment, The Rt Revd Dr David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, Chair of the EIAG, Deputy Chair of the Church Commissioners’ Board of Governors said: “The EIAG has a proven track record of providing guidance in key areas of ethical investment, most recently including a policy on investing in extractive industries.
"I am delighted that Anna is joining and will be supporting the EIAG as we continue to promote authentically Christian values across the Church’s investments.”
Commenting on behalf of the National Investing Bodies and Ethical Investment Advisory Group, John Ball, Chief Executive, The Church of England Pensions Board said: “The EIAG is the authoritative voice for distinctly Anglican ethical investment policy advice.
"Its work programme covers a huge variety of ethical investment issues, from traditional subjects such as alcohol and corporate tax, to the ethics of different asset classes or sectors, through to cutting edge technologies.
"We look forward to welcoming Anna in her role as the EIAG continues to look at some of the most challenging upcoming areas in responsible investment.”
Commenting on her appointment, Anna added: “I look forward to supporting the EIAG’s Chair and its members as they continue their leading work in the field of ethical investment.
"This is a rare opportunity to work within an organisation with a truly global reputation, whose focus is to provide practical advice to the three National Investing Bodies (NIBs) to enable them to invest in a way that is distinctly Christian and Anglican.”
Anna’s appointment follows the appointment of Stephen Barrie as Deputy Director of Ethics and Engagement to the Church of England Pensions Board in January this year. Stephen has been acting Secretary of the Ethical Investment Advisory Group (EIAG) and has continued to support the EIAG while a successor was being appointed.
The Church of England was recently ranked second globally in an industry survey of Responsible Investors. Combined work by the Church Commissioners for England and the Church of England Pensions Board scooped 2nd place in the category of asset owners that contribute most to sustainable investment and corporate governance. The IRRI (Independent Research in Responsible Investment) Survey 2019 is drawn up from submissions by industry peers and is an annual analysis of the economics and dynamics of the global sustainable investment and corporate governance sector.