Investec Asset Management
Corporate Profile / Investec Asset Management is an independently managed global asset manager within the Investec Group, which is listed in both London and Johannesburg. We are founder-led and our employees are equity stakeholders in our business.
We provide investment products and services to institutions, advisory clients and individuals. Our clients include pension funds, central banks, sovereign wealth funds, insurers, foundations, financial advisers and individual investors.
We were established in South Africa in 1991, offering a small range of domestic investment strategies. We are now a truly global business managing approximately £76.1bn* for clients from all over the world. We service these clients from our offices in London, Cape Town, Johannesburg, New York, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore and Sydney (and more).
At Investec Asset Management, we believe in a better future. First and foremost, we are working towards a better future for our clients. They have entrusted us with their investments and our responsibility is to look after their capital. Our purpose is to help people around the globe enjoy a dignified retirement and to preserve wealth for future generations.
Our culture supports innovation. We value honest debate and the sharing of ideas. Our people are encouraged to challenge the status quo.
*as at 31.03.16
Investec Asset Management is an equal opportunities employer. Our imperative is to attract and retain the best talent by providing a corporate environment where people from varying backgrounds can develop professionally and build a rewarding career.
Job title / ESG Analyst /
Location / London
Reporting to / Head of ESG /
Department / Investment Support /
Role description / Summary of the area:
The individual will be part of Investec Asset Management’s Global ESG team. The role will involve a broad set of ESG responsibilities, but will primarily focus on governance, the proxy voting process, back office voting management, and engagement with companies. The candidate needs to possess a strong interest in governance and desire to manage and improve the proxy voting process, engage with companies, and oversee certain aspects of client reporting.
High-level focus:
  • Oversee and manage day to day voting process
  • Support investment teams on voting process, analysis and company engagement
  • Support team on ad hoc ESG research, particularly governance focussed research
  • Support ESG team head with matters of internal governance
  • Lead and manage relationship with all stakeholders of the voting process. Particularly the contract and relationship with the proxy service provider but also internally as well as with custodians.
  • Focus on improving and evolving processes concerning proxy voting, and supporting development of strategy in this area that is in the best interests of our business and clients
  • Work with team on global governance advocacy and engagement efforts
  • Manage and oversee ESG Request For Proposals process
  • Support with ESG client request and reporting
  • Work with external organisations such as UN PRI, including reporting such as the annual UN PRI assessment

Risk & Compliance Responsibilities /
  • Adhering to the in-house Code of Ethics which forms part of employment contract, and which includes the following key policies:
  • Management of Conflicts of Interest, Treating Clients Fairly, Confidentiality of Client and Business Information, Handling of Inside Information, Personal Account Dealing, Disclosure of Outside Interests, Provision or receipt of Gifts, Entertainment, Events or other benefits
  • Being alert to possible and actual breaches of procedures and regulators rules and reporting them to the line manager and Compliance, and where applicable to Operational Risk.
  • Being alert to possible and actual complaints from investors / clients and reporting them to line manager and Compliance timeously via sharepoint.
  • Maintaining client confidentiality, and ensuring that client data is protected, encrypted, transported securely and is stored away each evening and if sensitive information, that it is locked away.
  • Maintaining Chinese walls with other parts of the Investec Group.
  • Ensuring keeping up to date on procedures and best practice relevant to job responsibilities, to avoid operational losses / Operational Risk events from crystallizing.
  • Ensuring that all changes in business practice are taken through the appropriate business forums and notified to Compliance and Operational and Investment Risk before they commence (for example new products, new business areas, new client type, new investment types or markets, etc.) to ensure any necessary due diligence can be performed in advance
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FCA Approval Required / No
Person specification / Technical Knowledge and Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as international relations, law, economics, environmental/social sciences
  • Masters or progression towards masters in a related field as above advantageous
  • Minimum 2 years’ experience in ESG related fields, especially governance and voting
  • IMC certification or CFA desirable
  • Good understanding of capital markets and the investment management industry
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, Power-point
Personality Attributes:
  • Strong interest in ESG issues, particularly relating to governance and proxy voting
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Self-managed and takes initiate