CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--William Blair, a premier global boutique with expertise in investment banking, investment management, and private wealth management, today named Blake Pontius, CFA, to a new role as Director of Sustainable Investing. Blake joined William Blair as an Institutional relationship manager in 2005 and has been a portfolio specialist on the global equity team for the past eight years. As Director of Sustainable Investing, Blake will provide leadership in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives and direct the firmwide integration of material ESG factors into investment processes.
“ESG considerations are integrated holistically in our investment processes as we assess corporate performance, and supports our purpose of driving strong client outcomes,” said Stephanie Braming, CFA, Global Head of William Blair Investment Management. “It also reflects our culture of ethics, empowerment, and engagement. This new role formally recognizes Blake’s leadership in our ESG efforts both internally and externally over time, and is a statement of our commitment to sustainability at the firm and in the industry.”
In 2011, William Blair Investment Management became a signatory of the United Nations–supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), committing to incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes. “Sustainability factors have become increasingly important to our assessment of investment opportunities and risks,” said Blake Pontius. “We will continue to focus on ESG materiality in our existing strategies while also broadening sustainability-focused solutions for our clients.”
About William Blair
William Blair is a premier global boutique with expertise in investment banking, investment management, and private wealth management. We provide advisory services, strategies, and solutions to meet our clients’ evolving needs. As an independent and employee-owned firm, together with our strategic partners, we operate in more than 20 offices worldwide.* For more information about William Blair Investment Management, please visit williamblair.com/active.
*Includes strategic partnerships with Allier Capital, BDA Partners, and Poalim Capital Markets.
