Global sustainable investment expert Fiona Reynolds has been appointed as the new Board Chair of UN Global Compact Network Australia (UNGCNA).
Reynolds brings global and local experience in sustainable investment to UNGCNA, an organisation that works with businesses and governments to align strategies and operations with universal principles on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.
With almost three decades of experience in superannuation and diversified investments, Reynolds’ will help UNGCNA in their work to mobilise Australia’s leading businesses to create a sustainable future and find opportunities to impact the world for good.
“It is a privilege to be appointed Chair of the UNGCNA board and I look forward to continuing to help shape the way Australian private businesses understand and utilise responsible investing,” Reynolds said in a statement.
“I have witnessed a global shift towards driving ESG focussed investment that protects long term profitability, and I am confident that this theme will continue to infiltrate the Australian business landscape as we work together towards a net zero future.”
This global view to the domestic landscape will allow Reynolds to contribute to businesses in their investment planning that reflect Sustainable Development Goals.
UNGCNA Executive Director Kylie Porter said the organisation welcomes her “significant and impressive business pedigree that will continue to shape the ways UNGCNA can support local businesses to deliver against their science based targets.”
“Fiona’s almost decade leading the Principles for Responsible Investment global initiative, will introduce a global perspective into our local efforts and we look forward to integrating her international approach to our members in Australia.”
Reynolds will be replacing the outgoing Chair, Dr David Cooke after three years in the role.
Her past and present roles include CEO of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and a senior advisor for Affirmative Investment Management (AIM).
Previous to this new appointment, Reynolds has also served on the board of the UN Global Compact where she worked alongside Vice-Chair Paul Polman (former CEO, Unilever), is on the council of the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), the Global Advisory Council on Stranded Assets at Oxford University, the UN Business for Peace Steering Committee and the Steering Committee for Investors on Climate Change, Climate Action 100+ and the Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking global committee, the Advisory Board of the UK Green Finance Institute and the Advisory Board for Greening the Belt and Road – a UK/China Initiative.
“Fiona has dedicated her professional career to informing the superannuation industry here and around the world, integrating the notion of responsible investment to an industry that did not previously prioritise ESG efforts,” says Porter.
“Through her experience, Fiona understands first hand that responsible investment in the short term provides greater profitability for business over the long term, a notion that we are driving to enforce with members in order to achieve the 2030 Agenda and set a clear path to net zero by 2050.”