• Newly created position reflects critical role AXA IM Alts believes sustainable investment and decarbonisation will play in driving future client returns

AXA IM Alts, a global leader in alternative investments with €185 billion of assets under management, announces the appointment of Laurent Lavergne to the newly created role of Global Head of Sustainability, effective 1st October 2023.

In his new position, reporting directly to Global Head of AXA IM Alts, Isabelle Scemama, Laurent will be responsible for the development and deployment of AXA IM Alts’ sustainability strategy across all AXA IM Alts’ business lines, comprising Real Estate, Infrastructure, Alternative Credit and Natural Capital & Impact Investments. He will also be a voting member of the investment committee for direct investments (Real Estate and Infrastructure Equity as well as Natural Capital).

The new Global Head of Sustainability will also assume the current responsibilities of Justin Travlos, Global Head of Responsible Investment which were primarily focused on Real Estate and Infrastructure. After five years with AXA IM Alts, Justin has decided to return home to Australia and will leave the business towards the end of 2023.

See related article: AXA IM Appoints Marie Luchet Head of ESG & Sustainability

A key priority for Laurent will be to oversee the successful ongoing implementation of AXA IM Alts’ ambitious decarbonization strategy across the business’ direct investments, with a particular focus on those in the Real Estate, Infrastructure and Natural Capital Sectors, where the biggest impact can be made. This strategy is focused around three pillars:

• Reducing carbon, with a focus on aligning 50% of the business’ real estate AUM with the Paris Agreement targets by 2025;
• Avoiding carbon, through investment in renewable energy solutions, digital low carbon networks as well as electricity grids and electric transportation; and
• Sequestering carbon, through investment in nature-based solutions such as AXA IM Alts’ forestry and timber management and construction related investments.

Laurent has more than 28 years’ experience of real estate investment and management and has been at AXA IM Alts since 1994, most recently as Global Head of Asset Management & Development within the Real Estate business line.

Isabelle Scemama, Global Head of AXA IM Alts, commented: “Sustainable investment is integral to our business and plays a fundamental role in our decision making to ensure we deliver value to our clients through future proofed investments that positively impact the world around us. Laurent has a strong track record of overseeing complex investment projects and strategies, and his deep-rooted understanding of our business and extensive experience managing our global sustainable development platform will be invaluable in his new role. His appointment marks a critical point in the acceleration of our decarbonisation strategy across our business lines, as we continue to protect our investments, mitigate against climate risk and advance our market leading approach in this field.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Justin for his contribution to the business over the last five years and for his dedication in helping formulate and advance the responsible investment strategy for our real assets business. We wish him the best of luck with his move back to Australia and in his future endeavours.”