Mamadou-Abou Sarr to Lead ESG Investments Globally for Northern Trust

Mamadou-Abou Sarr has been named global head of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing at Northern Trust Asset Management, a newly created role designed to meet increasing demand for responsible investing strategies in markets worldwide.

Mamadou-Abou Sarr, global head of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing at Northern Trust Asset Management (Photo: Business Wire)

As global head of ESG-Asset Management, Sarr will lead ESG innovation and product development across Northern Trust’s array of asset class capabilities. Building on the company’s success with ESG strategies in passive equity internationally, he will focus on expanding into new opportunities for ESG growth in the global institutional and wealth management markets.

ESG investors look for companies whose practices promote environmental stewardship, social justice, human rights, diversity, consumer protection or corporate governance. Northern Trust has approximately US$58.4 billion in assets under management across a globally diverse set of ESG screened strategies and recently launched three innovative ESG funds in Europe which have reached the US$1 billion mark collectively.

“Northern Trust has realized growing success in ESG investing, given our client-centric focus and more than 25 years of experience managing socially screened portfolios, as well as being a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investing,” said Stephen N. Potter, president of Northern Trust Asset Management. “Expertise in ESG investing is integral to Northern Trust’s comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) platform, and the appointment of Mamadou-Abou Sarr to this new role underscores our commitment to these principles as well as the opportunity for growth in ESG.”

Based in Abu-Dhabi, Sarr will report to Wayne Bowers, Head of Asset Management-EMEA & APAC, and will work closely with the Global Equity Strategist team, providing thought leadership and comprehensive investment solutions across the spectrum of equity, including Northern Trust's growing factor-based Engineered Equity solutions. He will also collaborate with Multi-Manager Investments on outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) solutions that include ESG considerations.

“Mamadou is well positioned to lead the Global ESG practice, as he has been a driving force within Northern Trust Asset Management on responsible investing,” Bowers said. “The global market for ESG strategies has grown from US$2.6 trillion in 2002 to more than US$13 trillion today, making up 22 percent of global assets under management1. In his new role, Mamadou will engage with Northern Trust partners across asset classes, geographic regions and business units to build scalable, profitable solutions to client needs.”

Sarr has been senior product specialist for global index management, with a strong focus on ESG solutions, since joining Northern Trust in 2011. As global head of ESG, he will lead a cross-functional working group to develop solutions and thought leadership for the ESG practice and will work interdependently with the CSR practice led by Connie Lindsey, head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Global Diversity & Inclusion at Northern Trust.

Sarr has more than 10 years of investment experience, including roles at HSBC Global Asset Management, Morgan Stanley Investment Management and other firms prior to Northern Trust. He received his B.A. in economics from the Université Paris Sud-Faculté Jean Monnet in Paris, France, and holds a Master in international project management from the European School of Management (ESCP Europe), Paris. Additionally he holds the Islamic Finance Qualification (IFQ) from the Chartered Institute from Securities & Investment (CISI). He is an associate of the Chartered Institute from Securities & Investment (ACSI) and a member of the CFA UK Institute.

Asset Management at Northern Trust comprises Northern Trust Investments, Inc., Northern Trust Global Investments Limited, Northern Trust Global Investments Japan, K.K., NT Global Advisors, Inc. and investment personnel of The Northern Trust Company of Hong Kong Limited and The Northern Trust Company.

About Northern Trust

Northern Trust Corporation (Nasdaq: NTRS) is a leading provider of investment management, asset and fund administration, banking solutions and fiduciary services for corporations, institutions and affluent individuals worldwide. Northern Trust, a financial holding company based in Chicago, has offices in 18 states, Washington, D.C., and 18 international locations in Canada, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. As of March 31, 2014, Northern Trust had assets under custody of US$5.8 trillion, and assets under investment management of US$915.4 billion. For more than 120 years, Northern Trust has earned distinction as an industry leader in combining exceptional service and expertise with innovative products and technology. For more information, visit www.northerntrust.com or follow us on Twitter @NorthernTrust.

Northern Trust Corporation, Head Office: 50 South La Salle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 U.S.A., incorporated with limited liability in the U.S. Global legal and regulatory information can be found at http://www.northerntrust.com/disclosures

1 Source: 2012 Global Sustainable Investment Review, January 2013. N.B. Latin America and the Middle East are not included in this total.

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