Magazine issues » July 2020

Behind the business card: Out of the comfort zone

Danielle_Welsh-RoseDanielle Welsh-Rose, Aberdeen Standard Investments. Job title: ESG investment director – Asia-Pacific. How many years have you spent in the region? I was born in Australia and have lived here my whole life. What do you consider to be your hometown? Melbourne. Educational background: Bachelor of Arts, Monash University; Masters of Environment, The University of Melbourne; Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance, Finsia; Masters of Law (Juris Doctor), Monash University What is the toughest challenge you’ve faced in your professional life? There have been numerous occasions over my career where I’ve had to really stand up for what I believe, often in the face of sometimes extreme hostility. As an ESG professional these situations do go with the territory (although thankfully this is changing!), and you do develop somewhat of a thick skin, but it is never an easy situation to navigate. What achievement in your job are you most proud of? I’ve not been in my current role for very long, but I’m proud to be working in an organisation that takes ESG to its heart, and that is willing to take a leadership role in prosecuting the investment case for integrating sustainability considerations into all we do. What have you learned from the Covid-19 pandemic? That government and corporate leaders can indeed respond rapidly to a crisis, mobilising vast amounts of money and resources to upend “the way things have always been done”. There are a lot of lessons to be learned that could and should be applied to other global challenges such as climate change and inequality. If you could change one thing about the funds industry, what would it be? We, as an industry, have a diversity problem. If we changed this, then the flow-on benefits to the industry, to our clients, and to wider society would be highly impactful. What’s the best investment you’ve made? I see travel as an investment. If you can travel in such a way that gets you out of your comfort zone, that allows you to really explore another culture and to understand how other people live (even if it is in your own backyard), it can give you a broader perspective on the world and an empathy that is invaluable. Tell us something about you that most people don’t know: I am a big fan of the ‘BHAG’ – Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal. I like to set myself scary goals, which has manifested itself in the completion of several ultra-endurance events like iron-distance triathlons and a 100km run (never again… probably!), and a life-long habit of undertaking study while working. What is your favourite cuisine and why? Chocolate, no explanation required! Your house is burning. Your family is safe. You have time to rescue one object. What would it be and why? Assuming my dog is counted as family, I would grab our old photos. © 2020 funds global asia

Industry comments

Investing in tomorrow’s world

investmentAt times like these, HSBC Asset Management easily pivots towards emerging markets.

The spotlight on growth markets and the need to be nimble and dynamic is ever-sharper, given the difficulty in predicting monetary policy in the world’s major nations.

Sponsored feature: Navigating the complexities of FX execution and currency risk

A comprehensive, cost-effective, and transparent currency overlay hedging solution is crucial to mitigate FX exposure risks in the complex landscapes of Japan and China's FX markets, explains Hans Jacob Feder, PhD, global head of FX services at MUFG Investor Services.

Opinion

Transitioning to an era of scarcity

The world is transitioning from an era of commodity abundance to one of undersupply. Ben Ross and Tyler Rosenlicht of Cohen & Steers believe this shift may result in significant returns for commodities and resource producers over the next decade.

Asia credit: An outsized winner in the region’s energy transition?

Ross Dilkes, fixed income portfolio manager at Wellington Management, examines the opportunities and risks for bond investors presented by the region’s decarbonisation agenda.

A quiet revolution in Japan’s corporate governance

revolution, Japan, corporate governance, Shareholders, corporate, governance, standards, improvement, Tetsuro Takase, SuMi TrustShareholders in Japan no longer accept below-par corporate governance standards. Changes are taking place, but there are still areas for improvement, says Tetsuro Takase at SuMi Trust.

Why rising demand for healthcare is creating investment opportunities in China

rising demand, healthcare, investment, opportunities, China, Robert St Clair, Investment Strategy, Fullerton Fund ManagementRobert St Clair, head of investment strategy at Fullerton Fund Management, explores the reasons investors should be paying attention to the rising demand for healthcare in China.

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