Aviva appoints new climate policy head

Yasmine Raso

Senior Journalist, Financial Newswire

16 March 2023

The global asset management arm of Aviva plc, Aviva Investors, has announced Nick Molho is taking on the newly-created position of Head of Climate Policy.

Commencing the new role in June and reporting to Aviva Investors’ Chief Responsible Investment Officer, Steve Waygood, Molho will be responsible for developing and implementing the firm’s macro stewardship program encompassing its net zero transition goals.

He will also lead advocacy for “specific government policies that would drive a just transition, starting with hard-to-abate sectors such as energy, heavy industry, aviation and shipping”. The program also builds relationships with governments, policymakers and other stakeholders to “correct market failures on sustainability issues”, aligning with the firm’s corporate governance activities and engagement with invested companies.

“Nick is a hugely respected figure on a broad range of sustainability issues, and I have long admired his work at the Aldersgate Group and before,” Waygood said about the appointment

“He brings an unrivalled amount of expertise in this field. His experience of engaging with companies, financial institutions, regulators, governments and policymakers will be invaluable.

“I am greatly looking forward to working more closely with him and continuing to advance our macro stewardship program, which has considerable potential to help power the transition towards a sustainable future.”

Prior to joining the Aviva Investors team, Molho was previously Executive Director at the Aldersgate Group, where he directed the firm’s strategy and policy advocacy activities in climate, environment and green finance for the last eight years.

“Aviva Investors is an organisation I hold in high regard, and one which has been taking material action to shape the transition towards a sustainable future from within the private sector by actively engaging with real economy businesses and financial institutions, as well as with global governments, regulators and standard setters,” Molho said.

“Such activity is critical in ensuring capital flows into the right activities in the global economy and leads to meaningful change.

“I look forward to using my knowledge and experience to build on Aviva Investors’ achievements to date and supporting its ongoing work in calling for a timely and successful transition to net zero emissions.”