MSCI has appointed Melissa McDonald as global head of environmental, social and governance (ESG) and climate indices from HSBC Asset Management.
In her new role, effective 7 September, McDonald will be responsible driving the growth of the firm’s ESG and climate index globally, working closely with the head of global product, client coverage, research and technology teams.
Based in London, she will report to Diana Tidd, global head of index and chief responsibility officer, and Remy Briand, global head of ESG and climate at MSCI.
McDonald spent 11 years at HSBC AM, most recently as the global head of product, equites and responsible investment.
Prior to this, she spent a decade at AXA Investment Management including two years as head of responsible investment focusing on research in climate change, human capital management and corporate governance.
Commenting on the appointment, Tidd said: “I am confident that Melissa’s extensive experience in developing successful sustainability products will position MSCI to deliver the enhanced tools investors need to accelerate the transformation towards a net-zero economy.”
In January, the index provider hired Rumi Mahmood from Nutmeg as a senior associate in the ESG funds research team.
