Ninety One  

Aviva's Niven joins Ninety One in sustainable equity push

Aviva's Niven joins Ninety One in sustainable equity push

Stephanie Niven has joined Ninety One as portfolio manager in the thematic equity team within mutli-asset.

Niven joins from Aviva Investors where she co-managed the global equity endurance fund.

Prior to that, she spent six years as a global equity portfolio manager at Tesco Pension Investments. At Ninety One she will lead the firm's development of a global sustainable equity offering.

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Mimi Ferrini, co-chief investment officer at Ninety One, said: “The broadening of our global sustainable equity offering will be another milestone in Ninety One’s drive to put sustainability at the core of our business.

"Stephanie shares our vision for developing the firm’s sustainable investing capabilities, and her sustainable investing philosophy is absolutely aligned to ours.”

Niven added: “I am excited to join Ninety One and form part of the team building on the firm’s strengths and progress developing meaningful sustainable investment solutions. Investors face mounting challenges as the world grapples with the transition to a more sustainable growth model. 

“Ninety One is clearly committed to sustainability with substance. We have a compelling opportunity to develop sustainable global equity capabilities with a differentiated approach to understanding externalities and how culture leads to sustainable competitive advantages. 

“Our aim is to meet investors’ financial needs and contribute to positive environmental and social progress, while minimising negative impacts”.

Ninety One recently de-merged from its parent company Investec Bank in March last year.

Shortly after chief executive Hendrik Du Toit told FTAdviser sustainability was a key area for his business going forward.

He said: “This is not just about specific products in that area, it is about a mindset that has to go through the whole of the company. 

"Quite simply, the world is not going to stand for a company that ignores the issues of the wider world.” 

sally.hickey@ft.com