The bank said the appointment reflects a growing demand for ESG research, with its clients using more sustainable strategies as part of their investment process.

Credit Suisse has appointed Phineas Glover as head of environmental, social and governance (ESG) research for Asia-Pacific, based in Sydney, Australia, the «Australian Financial Review» (behind firewall) reported on Thursday.

Glover joined the bank in 2018 as head of ESG research, Australia. Before that, he was head of equity research, Australia for investment bank Macquarie. His previous roles include investment research, fund management and ESG specialisms.

ESG Awareness Growing

The publication cited an internal announcement sent by Australian head of equity research Paul Buys and APAC head of equity research Erica Werkun, in which the pair highlighted the continued growth of ESG funds under management globally, as well as demand from clients. 

According to data provider Refinitiv's first report on sustainable finance in Asia, published in November, there is growing investor appetite for sustainable investments in the region, with «substantial growth» in the issuance of green bonds in Asia Pacific and Japan in the first half of 2019. The region, with 25.4 percent market share, raised a record high of $21.9 billion, up 29.6 percent year-on-year.