IFM Investors, a global investment manager owned by Australian pension funds, is pleased to announce the appointment of Maria Nazarova-Doyle as Head of Sustainable Investment. 

Based in London, Nazarova-Doyle will lead IFM’s growing Global Sustainable Investment team, focusing on the implementation and measurement of sustainability initiatives across the business’s growing global portfolio. She will report to IFM’s Chief Strategy Officer, Luba Nikulina.

Nazarova-Doyle brings with her a wealth of experience in pensions, stewardship and sustainable investing. Immediately prior to joining IFM, she was Head of Responsible Investments and Stewardship at Scottish Widows. She has previously held senior positions at JLT Employee Benefits, where she was Head of DC Investments, and Mercer, where she was Principal and Market Engagement Leader in its DC and individual wealth business. 

Since 2022, Nazarova-Doyle has been a Board Member for the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association and its policy committee. She is also an active member of the PMI Advisory Council, ABI Climate Change and Stewardship Working Groups, Occupational Pensions Stewardship Council and a number of government-led taskforces. 

Nazarova-Doyle joins a growing team of sustainable investment professionals at IFM, which work closely across IFM’s asset classes of infrastructure, debt, listed equities and private equity. 

IFM is a global private markets specialist managing funds that are invested in assets that working people rely on every day, such as toll roads, airports, seaports, and renewable energy producers. 

By managing, operating and investing in critical assets, IFM seeks to maximize long-term returns to investors and their members and beneficiaries, as well as creating positive and wide-ranging benefits for communities around the world. 

Quotes attributable to IFM Investors’ Chief Strategy Officer Luba Nikulina: 

“Maria joins IFM at a crucial moment in our industry’s adoption of more sustainable investing processes, as clients continue to turn their attention towards both the opportunities and challenges of issues like climate change and energy security. “

“Maria’s in-depth experience and technical knowledge of investment stewardship helps strengthen our broader sustainable investment team and will support our clients in achieving their investment objectives.”

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Quotes attributable to IFM Investors’ Head of Sustainable Investment Maria Nazarova-Doyle: 

“I’m so pleased to be joining IFM Investors and helping build on its already well-established sustainability credentials.”

“There is real opportunity for global investment managers to deliver returns for clients, while also embedding sustainable investment practices into their decision making.” 

“Positive change is urgently required in the real economy and IFM Investors’ position as one of the leading private market investors is an unrivalled platform to help create a more sustainable future.”

“I look forward to getting started, leading and learning from my team, and delivering for our owners and clients, their members and beneficiaries.” 

IFM’s recent deals include the January acquisition of a majority stake in GreenGasUSA, which captures, purifies and transports biogas; and a deal to invest $50 million in sustainable property firm Smart Urban Properties Australia.