BetaShares hires Suncorp heavyweight

ETF manager, BetaShares has hired Greg Liddell for the newly created role as director of responsible Investments.

Liddell is tasked with driving sustainable investment initiatives at BetaShares, including investment stewardship, engagement, product development, investor education, and thought leadership.

He joins from Suncorp Group where he developed and implemented the financial services giant's first responsible investment policy.

Liddell was also heavily involved in developing the Queensland Group's first climate change action plan and modern slavery statement.

Earlier on, he worked at the Centre for International Financial Research and the Investor Group on Climate Change.

He was previously a managing director of advisory service at Russell Investments.

Before his four-year stint with Russell, Liddell held the role of head of international equities at QIC. There, he spent five years leading the global equities team.

In 1994, he spent ten years as head of manager research at Mercer Investment Consulting.

BetaShares said Lidell's appointment to BetaShares comes as the manager continues to experience strong demand for its ethical investment ETF range.

The firm noted that ethical ETFs in Australia now hold $5.7 billion in funds under management - more than doubling since the start of the year.

Further, the manager said it has more than $3.6 billion in funds under management across its leading ethical ETF range, including ETHI, FAIR, ERTH, and GBND.

Announcing the appointment, BetaShares chief executive Alex Vynokur, said: "Greg is a well-regarded and deeply experienced financial services executive and joins us at an exciting time for the business.

"Responsible investing is an area of significant importance for us and Greg's expertise will allow us to continue to consolidate our leadership position as well as extend our involvement in the area."

Liddell added that he was excited to join BetaShares at such an important time for responsible investment.

"BetaShares has established itself as the market leader as more and more investors show a preference for investments that are consistent with the principles of sustainability. I'm looking forward to putting my experience and skills to work in serving BetaShares' clients."