Desiree Lucchese will step into the role of ethics and impact manager while Rachel O'Connor has been appointed the new portfolio manager for fixed income and cash products.
“We’re delighted to have both Desiree and Rachel joining us on our mission to invest with purpose,” said chief investment officer James Cook.
“Both enjoy an enviable track record as outstanding performers in their field and will consolidate the investment team while significantly contributing to the ongoing development and evolution of the ethical investment function at U Ethical.”
Ms Lucchese joins U Ethical from MSCI Inc., where she held the role of ESG consultant. She has been involved in the EU Commission’s life cycle harmonisation pilot phase, the UK’s Capital Markets Union, and the UN Global Compact’s cities program.
“I believe that sustainable finance and sustainable infrastructure are key to scaling sustainable impact and that the time is ripe for business, investors and the public sector to collaboratively shift to a more sustainable, inclusive and regenerative economy,” Ms Lucchese said.
Ms O'Connor previously held the role of portfolio manager at Vanguard and was a director and portfolio manager at UBS Asset Management from 2012 to 2015. She is a CFA charterholder and a member of the CFA Society of Melbourne, and holds a graduate diploma in applied finance and investment at FINSIA, a bachelor of business (accountancy) and a bachelor of economics from the University of Queensland.
“I am very excited to be joining an investment firm where ethical investing is core to its mission,” Ms Cook said.
“I look forward to building on the great work that has already been done at U Ethical to deliver sustainable investing to the broader market.”
