The Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) has hired Adrian Bertrand as Head of Africa, Networks & Global Outreach, commencing in February.

In his new role, Bertrand will be responsible for strategic initiatives such as engaging with and supporting pan-African signatories in the practice and implementation of their ESG risk management.

Additionally, he will take a lead role in the growth of the PRI’s African Network.

Bertrand said: “I’m looking forward to the challenges and new opportunities that this role will present. Africa represents unique opportunities for engaging asset owners and investment managers on ESG issues and for expanding PRI’s signatory base across the Continent.”

Bertrand joins PRI after four years as Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Manager for the Government Employees Pension Fund of South Africa (GEPF) where he was responsible for reviewing and managing the implementation of the Fund’s strategy for responsible investing and active ownership; establishing and maintaining relationships with GEPF investee companies by engaging with investee companies on ESG issues; managing the procurement of external ESG research; managing internal ESG research and managing GEPF policies for responsible investment and active ownership; assisting with the development of an appropriate ESG disclosure framework for SA listed companies; monitoring and evaluating ESG compliance by GEPF investee companies, and taking overall responsibility for GEPF’s compliance with PRI and CRISA and other local and international best practice codes.

In addition, Bertrand served on the Investment Committee of the Pan African Infrastructure Development Fund (PAIDF), the GEPF – PIC ESG Working Committee, the Code for Responsible Investing in SA (Crisa) Committee, the Association for Savings and Investment SA (ASISA) Responsible Investment Committee, and the JSE SRI Index Advisory Committee.

Before joining GEPF, he spent 18 months as South Africa Network Manager for the PRI, where he was responsible for supporting PRI signatory recruitment in South Africa.

We are delighted that Adrian will be our new head of the Africa network,” said Fiona Reynolds, managing director of the PRI. “His extensive knowledge of pan-African ESG issues, coupled with his background working on sustainability and responsible investment projects, ideally places him to head this region.”