Elaine Wu

BlackRock has announced that Elaine Wu joins as Managing Director, APAC Head of Research for BlackRock Sustainable Investing (BSI APAC). In this newly created role, Elaine will drive the research agenda for BSI APAC and oversee the firm’s sustainability research across the region.

Elaine’s expertise and proven leadership underscore the importance BlackRock places on using rigorous quantitative and qualitative research to help clients interested in better understanding the complex connections between environmental, social and governance factors and financial performance.

With more than 14 years of experience in equity research in APAC, Elaine was most recently Head of Asia ex-Japan ESG and Utilities Equity Research at J.P. Morgan, where she was first to spearhead ESG research for the firm. With an early focus on climate transition and energy value chain throughout Asia, including coal-fired, renewable, nuclear power and gas/ water utilities, her research has expanded across markets and sectors, earning 1st place ESG Analyst ranking in the Institutional Investor All-Asia Research Poll (2021 & 2022), and recognitions in Greenwich, and Thomson Reuters Asia Analyst Awards. Prior to that, she worked at both Nomura and Lehman Brothers.

Based in Hong Kong, Elaine will report to Head of BSI APAC Emily Woodland and partner with global sustainability research colleagues across investment platforms to enhance our growing body of sustainability thought leadership with valuable APAC insights. She will also work closely with business and investment partners in APAC to strengthen research and analysis that focuses on the link between sustainability and financial materiality, and to identify risks and opportunities that will equip clients with knowledge and insights to help achieve their financial goals.

Emily Woodland, Head of BSI APAC said: “Clients are increasingly turning to us to help them connect data, investment strategies, and sustainability insights to build better portfolios – especially in Asia. Our ability to do this has long depended on the bedrock of rigorous quantitative and qualitative research, and Elaine’s deep capabilities will supercharge our clients’ access to the latest research and insights they’re asking for to reach their investment goals.”

Elaine Wu, Head of APAC Research for BSI APAC said: “Sustainable investing is a complex and continuously evolving space, and meaningful insights require discipline and rigor. I am keen to incorporate an APAC-based perspective into BlackRock’s ongoing work in the space to better respond to regional and global client interest.”

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Ms Woodland, to be based in Hong Kong, will lead the Sustainable Investment team alongside current team head, Sydney-based Dr Ian Woods. Ms Woodland has 18 years of investment experience in portfolio management and trading roles, primarily with UBS in London and Hong Kong.

For the past year Ms Woodland has worked for ADM Capital, where she focused on sustainable investment programs in Indonesia. She holds a Degree in Financial and Business Economics from Newcastle University (UK), a Masters degree in Corporate Environmental Governance from the University of Hong Kong and is a CFA Charterholder,

Earlier this year Karin Halliday, Senior Manager Corporate Governance with 34 years of experience with AMP Capital, moved from Sydney to London to support the globalisation of the ESG capability.

Additionally, from the start of 2019, Adrian Williams will fulfil the role of ESG Director, Real Estate and Listed Equities. Over the past 10 years Adrian has held senior roles within the Real Estate business of AMP Capital including Head of Corporate Responsibility and Business Platform, Head of Finance and Acting Chief Operating Officer. Outside AMP Capital, Adrian also has more than 30 years of grass roots involvement in the establishment and running of not-for-profit and social enterprises and is passionate about the importance of driving social change.

The appointment of Ms Woodland and Mr Williams increases the size of the Sustainable Investment team to six people. Dr Woods and his team have run the Australian-focused AMP Capital Sustainable Share Fund for more than a decade and supported AMP Capital’s public markets teams globally in integrating ESG into their investment processes.

David Allen, Global CIO, Equities, said: “I am delighted to welcome Emily to the team, whose passion for ESG and impact investment struck me from the first time we met. Under the joint leadership of Emily and Ian, we have great aspirations to deepen and broaden our offerings to clients, both within Australia and globally.

“Investing in companies with long-term sustainable business models is an important part of our investment approach across all asset classes. More specifically, there is growing demand from clients to be able to invest globally in companies that are changing the world for the better, while also delivering strong long-term financial outcomes. Over time, we aim to help clients meet this need.

“With Adrian also joining our Sustainable Investment team, we seek to leverage AMP Capital’s ESG experience across private and public markets, for the benefit of clients.”

AMP Capital is recognised as a global leader for its ESG and responsible investment approach, and recently received A and A+ ratings in the annual reporting and assessment of signatories to the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI).

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