USS strengthens responsible investment ambitions with new Head of Responsible Investment

Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited (USS) – the trustee of one of the largest pension schemes in the UK – is delighted to announce Sandra Carlisle as the new Head of Responsible Investment at USS Investment Management Limited (USSIM), the principal investment manager and adviser to the scheme.

Sandra’s appointment will bolster our growing ambitions in Responsible Investment. As a long-term, responsible investor, we have a legal duty to invest in the best financial interests of our members, so we can pay their pensions long into the future. By investing responsibly, we can encourage positive outcomes that help us fulfil our obligations to members.

Sandra will join USSIM from 2 January 2024. She brings more than 20 years of experience in sustainable and responsible investment, most recently at Jupiter Asset Management. She has worked for three decades in the financial services industry, spanning capital markets, investment banking and investment management.

Simon Pilcher, USSIM Chief Executive Officer, said: “I'm delighted that we've been able to appoint someone of Sandra's calibre. She will be central to USS being a leader in responsible investment and will help us meet the long-term needs of the scheme for our members. As a universal owner, USS will be impacted by large systemic risks presented by issues such as climate change and loss of biodiversity, and we need to engage with business, governments, and regulators to minimise the financial impact these might have on our investments. Sandra’s work in this area will form a vital part of how we operate.”

Sandra Carlisle said: “I’m thrilled to be joining USS at such a pivotal time. I look forward to working with the entire team as we seek to further develop USS as a leader in this critically important area and seize the opportunities that will arise in the fast-changing global investment landscape.”

Sandra joins from Jupiter Asset Management where she has been Head of Sustainability. Prior to this, Sandra spent several years as Head of Responsible Investment at leading investment managers, including HSBC Asset Management and Newton Investment Management. She spent a decade at Citigroup in various senior global capital markets and banking roles. Sandra also served as a PRI board member from 2016-2018. Sandra takes over from David Russell, USS’s previous Head of Responsible Investment, who left USS in June 2023. She will sit on the USSIM Executive Committee and will report directly to Simon Pilcher, USSIM’s Chief Executive Officer.