Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) chair Ross Piper has stepped down, and the organisation has appointed a successor from First Sentier Investors.
Piper has sat on the board for seven years, including two years as chair.
He also stepped down earlier this year from his day job as chief executive of superannuation at Australian Ethical Investment, which he joined following the merger between Christian Super – where he had worked as CEO since 2018 – and Australian Ethical in 2022.
“With shifting political, social and investment market dynamics, RIAA’s mission to align capital with a healthier society, environment and economy has never been more important. It has been a privilege to serve on the RIAA board over the past seven years, and to contribute to RIAA’s catalytic work in the growth and maturation of responsible investment,” he said.
He will remain on the board for a few months to support the transition, RIAA said.
In his place, RIAA has appointed Kate Turner as new chair. Turner has sat on the board of RIAA since 2023, and is the global head of responsible investment at First Sentier Investors where she has worked since 2019.
Turner said: “I am delighted to take on the role of board chair, building on the strong legacy established by my predecessors. I remain committed to working with the board to ensure that RIAA delivers on our mission and continues to support members through our strong and collaborative membership platform.”
Last year, former chief executive Simon O’Connor stepped down after a decade and took up a new role on the ethical advisory panel of U Ethical Investors.
During his time at RIAA, he led the Responsible Investment Certification Program, which includes over 330 investment products; established the Australian Sustainable Finance Initiative (ASFI); became chair of the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance; and led a regional consultation group for the Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures.
In his place, the body appointed dual trans-Tasman chief executives in Estelle Parker and Dean Hegarty.
Since joining in June 2021, Parker has led the expansion and growth of RIAA’s certification program. She also oversaw important external engagements, such as convening the official Australasian Consultation Group for the TNFD.
New Zealand-based Hegarty joined in October 2020, and has played a critical role in strengthening its presence in the country alongside Australia.
