American Century announces new ESG appointment

Global investment manager, American Century Investments, has announced Sarah Bratton Hughes as the new Senior Vice President and Head of ESG and Sustainable Investing.

Hughes also leads the ESG and Investment Stewardship team after she joined the firm earlier this year. Her responsibilities include developing and executing American Century’s sustainable investing strategy and managing its ESG research platform and active ownership practices.

Hughes and her team are the firm’s hub of ESG expertise for all investment teams, managing the implementation of company-wide ESG research and training, the innovation of ESG assessment tools, the reporting on ESG engagement and the development of ESG initiatives and client solutions.

“Over the past five years, we have made tremendous progress in our environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts, building a solid foundation, deepening our ESG knowledge and developing innovative tools and resources,” Victor Zhang, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at American Century, said.

“As we look ahead, we want to accelerate our sustainable investing efforts and believe Sarah will help take us to that next level.

“In hiring Sarah, we have added to our team a talented ESG and sustainable investing leader with a distinguished reputation in the industry.”

Hughes’ appointment also marks an important move for American Century, as the firm looks to continue generating a measurable impact on health in accordance with the United Nations’ third Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).

“Sustainability isn’t just something we practice; it is part of who we are,” Jonathan Thomas, American Century President and Chief Executive Officer, said.

“As a firm that has directed over 40% of our earnings to more than 20 years of medical research to cure cancer and other gene-based diseases, we attract clients and employees who are inspired to make a difference through their investments, and Sarah will play an important role in advancing our ESG and sustainable investing practices.”

Prior to her new role at American Century, Hughes was the Head of Sustainability for North America and later the Global Head of Sustainability Solutions at Schroders, and previously held roles at J.P. Morgan Asset Management and JPMorgan Chase.