American Century Investments Appoints Sarah Bratton Hughes Head of ESG and Sustainable Investing
Global asset manager American Century Investments announced today the appointment of Sarah Bratton Hughes as its new Head of ESG and Sustainable Investing.
In her new role, Hughes will have responsibility for driving and executing the firm’s sustainable investing strategy and the management of its ESG research platform and active ownership practices, in addition to leading the ESG and Investment Stewardship team. According to American Century, the team will serve as the center of ESG expertise for all the firm’s investment teams, responsible for implementing ESG research and training, innovating ESG assessment tools, managing the ESG engagement and proxy voting protocol and driving sustainable investment initiatives and client solutions.
Victor Zhang, senior vice president and Chief Investment Officer, said:
“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. 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 joins American Century Investments after more than ten years at global investment manager Schroders, most recently serving as Global Head of Sustainability Solutions, responsible for delivering innovative, best-in-class sustainability solutions to clients, and prior that as Head of Sustainability for North America.
The announcement marks the latest move by American Century Investments to develop its ESG investing, stewardship and sustainability capabilities, following the formation in May 2021 of a sustainable investment council and the appointment of a Head of Corporate Sustainability.
American Century’s controlling owner is the biomedical research organization Stowers Institute for Medical Research, and the firm directs 40% of its profits to their efforts to defeat life-threatening diseases.
Jonathan Thomas, American Century President and Chief Executive Officer, said:
“Sustainability isn’t just something we practice; it is part of who we are. 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.”