The latest moves and appointments at Impax Asset Management, a specialist asset manager that invests in the transition to a more sustainable economy

Impax Asset Management has appointed Charlie French as deputy chief investment officer for listed equities to focus on the strategic direction of the listed equities business.

French is joining from Newton Investment Management, where he was head of multi asset, head of investment and most recently head of equity opportunities. He led a team of global equity portfolio managers, responsible for $45 billion in assets under management.

Starting in June, French will work alongside Hubert Arts, also deputy CIO for listed equities, supporting Bruce Jenkyn-Jones, CIO for listed equities, at Impax. Together, they are tasked with leading and growing the listed equities business, including research, idea generation, portfolio management, ESG integration, and trading, the firm said. French will also have a specific focus on the strategic direction of the team and will support Jenkyn-Jones with his senior manager responsibilities under the FCA’s Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR) rules, the group added.

Welcoming him to the firm, Jenkyn-Jones said he will be an important asset in the listed equities team as the firm positions itself for the next stage of its growth. “The investment opportunities available to Impax have grown substantially as the drivers supporting the transition to a sustainable economy accelerate,” he added.

French’s hire follows the recent appointment of Paul Voûte to head of distribution, Europe and Asia-Pacific, the hire of Ed Farrington as head of distribution, North America, and Meg Brown’s appointment as chief product and marketing officer.

Founded in 1998, Impax is a specialist asset manager, with approximately $46.5 billion in both listed and private markets strategies, with offices in the UK, the US, Ireland and Hong Kong.

The London-based firm said that it invests in the opportunities arising from the transition to a more sustainable global economy. It believes that capital markets will be shaped profoundly by global sustainability challenges, including climate change, pollution and essential investments in human capital, infrastructure and resource efficiency. These trends will drive growth for well-positioned companies and create risks for those unable or unwilling to adapt, the firm stressed.