The Australian Council of Superannuation Investors announced that Gordon Hagart, Head of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Risk Management at the $100 billion Commonwealth Government Future Fund, would take over as its new Chief Executive Officer.

The appointment is significant, given that ACSI represents more than 30 industry and government funds in the not-for-profit sector which manage more than $350 billion in retirement savings for six million Australians.

Mr Hagart will replace Ann Byrne, who retires from the ACSI CEO position at the end of October. Ms Byrne has, during her five year tenure at ACSI, overseen its highly successful activist programme to improve listed company governance. The appointment of Mr Hagart indicates that this focus of ACSI will continue.

Mr Hagart has a background improving environmental, social and governance practices in corporations. He most recently spearheaded the development and implementation of the ESG risk management program within the investment team of Australia’s sovereign wealth fund. When working with the United Nations Environment Programme in Geneva, he played a key role in creating the UN Principles for Responsible Investment, to which many Australian ‘all profit to member’ superannuation funds are signatories.

He began his career as an investment banking analyst with Greenhill & Co. in London, and also worked as an investment consultant in Zurich. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in geophysics from the University of Cambridge in the UK.

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