CareSuper creates new ESG role

The $19 billion superannuation fund that services professional, managerial, and administration workers, has appointed Claire Molinari head of ESG.

Molinari joins from Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) where she was research manager.

Reporting to CareSuper's investment chief, Suzanne Branton, Molinari will drive the strategic integration of ESG, stewardship, and sustainability outcomes across the fund's investment portfolio.

In addition to leading CareSuper's dedicated ESG team, she will have carriage of its Climate Change Action Plan, including the net-zero commitment.

Before her four-year stint with ACSI, Molinari served as the ESG governance strategist at QSuper.

Earlier, she worked at the UK- based Sarasin & Partners as a responsible investment analyst and consulted for Towers Watson on sustainability as part of an Oxford University team.

Speaking of the appointment, Branton said Molinari's extensive experience in sustainable investing will augment the ESG capabilities of the investment team.

"The head of ESG is a key, strategic role, and we are delighted that Claire has joined the CareSuper investment team," she said.

"I am looking forward to having such a high calibre ESG professional on board to work with us to enhance our ESG program and further develop CareSuper's sustainability practices".

CareSuper is currently looking to expand its ESG team following the departure of Xinting Jia, who left the industry fund last December to take on the role of ESG investment strategist, APAC at State Street Global Advisors.

Molinari has a Ph.D. in Sustainability from the University of Oxford.