Eugenia Unanyants-Jackson was named to the new position of global head of ESG for PGIM, the $1.5 trillion global investment management business of Newark-based Prudential Financial Inc.
PGIM announced Unanyants-Jackson’s appointment on Jan. 25; her hiring is effective Feb. 1. Based in London, she will report to PGIM Chief Operating Officer Taimur Hyat and be responsible for developing and enacting environmental, social and governance strategy across PGIM.
That work will include chairing its ESG Council while also engaging with clients, consultants, regulators and other industry associations, according to PGIM.
In the announcement, the company said that Unanyants-Jackson’s new position is a reflection of PGIM’s deepened focus on its ESG investing.
Eugenia Unanyants-Jackson, PGIM’s global head of ESG – PGIM
“PGIM’s multi-manager model allows for each business to integrate ESG considerations optimally for their specific asset class and investment style. However, in recognition of the critical importance of ESG across our client base, we want to invest in further enriching our ESG expertise, research, analytical capabilities, and industry leadership across PGIM,” Hyat said in a statement. “With over a decade and a half of specialist expertise in sustainable investing and ESG, Eugenia not only brings an incredible breadth of knowledge, but also true leadership in the investment management industry as we drive new ways of thinking about ESG analysis, integration and engagement.”
Unanyants-Jackson joined PGIM Fixed Income in 2020 as the inaugural head of ESG Research. Most recently, she was involved with integrating ESG considerations across all aspects of the fixed income investment process. Throughout her time with the group, she led the development of ESG Impact Ratings, a proprietary tool that helps clients invest according to their ESG preferences. She was also involved with PGIM Fixed Income’s fist ESG Annual Report publication.
“Given PGIM’s global scale and footprint, we have immense potential to make a positive impact and address many of today’s ESG challenges,” Unanyants-Jackson said. “I am thrilled for the opportunity to further advance PGIM’s ESG strategy and leverage our existing and in certain cases longstanding ESG capabilities to help our investors meet their sustainability objectives in coordination with each of PGIM’s businesses.”
PGIM said John Ploeg, based in London, and Armelle de Vienne, in Newark, will succeed Unanyants-Jackson as co-heads for ESG Research at PGIM Fixed Income, reporting to Head of Credit Richard Greenwood. Their roles are also effective Feb. 1.
Ploeg most recently served as an ESG specialist and has previously held roles in PGIM Fixed Income’s US and European CLO product management teams.
De Vienne worked alongside Ploeg as an ESG specialist and U.S. lead. She joined PGIM Fixed Income in 2021.
