Rebecca El-Khoury steps into the role and will be responsible for supporting efforts to deeply integrate ESG-related matters across its Australian equity funds.
Ms El-Khoury most recently served as a sustainability manager within the corporate strategy and sustainability team at TransGrid.
Prior to this, she had held roles at Deloitte Access Economics, the Australian Tax Office and the Reserve Bank of Australia.
Merlon lead portfolio manager Neil Margolis has said Ms El-Khory’s appointment was largely attributed to her alignment to Merlon’s culture of thinking.
“ESG related matters are becoming increasingly important in assessing potential and monitoring existing investments,” said Mr Margolis.
“Further, the skills required to develop a deep understanding of ESG related issues and coordinate engagement activities is becoming increasingly specialised and resource intensive.
“We are excited to work with Rebecca to further develop and implement our ESG philosophy and processes”.
Ms El-Khoury’s responsibilities will cover the Merlon Australian Share Income Fund that was recently rated “highly recommended” by Zenith Investment Partners.
Merlon’s funds hold sustainability of cash flow and assessment of downside risk scenarios at the core of their investment approach to create portfolios of high-yielding stocks with limited risk of permanent capital loss.
As of 30 June Merlon was managing approximately $1 billion of funds for institutional investors, charities and endowments and retail investors.
The firm is backed by Challenger Limited subsidiary Fidante Partners.
