Aware Super names head of stewardship

Aware Super has appointed a new head of stewardship within its Aware Responsible Investment team.

As head of stewardship at Aware, Chris Newton will be leading a team of analysts focusing on building financial value and sustainable outcomes for the fund's listed market portfolio.

"We're excited to have Chris join Aware Super and contribute his deep governance experience which includes over a decade of board experience and deep knowledge of the water sector and First Nations investment and governance frameworks," said Liza McDonald, head of responsible investments.

"His ability to integrate ESG considerations into core investment and asset management process to deliver robust financial returns will be highly valuable to our 1.3 million members."

Newton brings over two decades of investment and ESG experience to the team, having worked across corporate strategy, public policy, asset management and commercial development initiatives in Australia at AMP, ANZ, Deloitte and Victorian Treasury.

He recently chaired Blackwattle Investment Partners ESG Council for four years and led the development of IFM Investors' inaugural responsible investment strategy and carbon reduction strategy in its global infrastructure portfolio.

In addition to his various non-executive directorships, Newton also serves as an independent director and chair of the investment committee for the Yawuru people, the traditional owners of Broome, WA.