Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Register

7 February 2026

Home / Noticeboard 2021

First Sentier Investors

  •   14 September 2021
  •      
  •   

MUFG and First Sentier Investors appoint head of First Sentier MUFG Sustainable Investment Institute

Tuesday 14 September 2021: MUFG and First Sentier Investors have appointed Velina Karadzhova to lead the recently-launched First Sentier MUFG Sustainable Investment Institute.

Karadzhova will be responsible for developing the Institute’s research programme which will include macro-level research on sustainable investment topics, market trends and industry practices. The studies will look at how these developments affect the performance of companies, sectors and economies and their influence on investor capital allocation. Karadzhova will work closely with the Institute’s external advisory board of prominent sustainability academics and industry leaders, appointed to inform its research agenda and ensure its research meets high standards of rigour.

Will Oulton, Global Head of Responsible Investment at First Sentier Investors and Chair of the institute, said: “Velina‘s considerable experience in the fields of ESG-related research will be invaluable in this new role to lead and further develop the Institute’s sustainable investment research programme. The reports will promote critical, urgent and under-reported sustainability issues, while outlining actions the industry and broader society can take to help address these problems.”

Karadzhova was previously an ESG analyst and utilities sector lead at MSCI, where she was responsible for utilities sector and company research, ESG ratings, ESG methodology enhancements and developing new products.?She has also held roles as a credit ratings analyst at Moody’s and was a senior associate in audit at PwC.

The Institute was launched in May 2021 to publish proprietary, high-quality research on emerging sustainable investment topics that have yet to see significant industry focus. Its aim is to enhance industry awareness of and action on these sustainable investment themes, report on market trends and best practice, and promote a greater understanding of how such issues can impact long-term investment performance.

Its inaugural research report, titled “Microplastic pollution: causes, consequences and issues for investors”, explores the critical and growing problem of microplastic pollution, one of the most significant and neglected threats to the health of our oceans. The research outlines the important role investors can play in encouraging companies and governments to take action to prevent microplastics entering the environment.  

Publication of the next report, which will focus on the emissions of synthetic microfibers into the environment and the damage they are causing, is planned for Q4 2021.

– ENDS – 

 

  •   14 September 2021
  •      
  •   
Firstlinks is sponsored by:
banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Building a lazy ETF portfolio in 2026

What are the best ways to build a simple portfolio from scratch? I’ve addressed this issue before but think it’s worth revisiting given markets and the world have since changed, throwing up new challenges and things to consider.

Get set for a bumpy 2026

At this time last year, I forecast that 2025 would likely be a positive year given strong economic prospects and disinflation. The outlook for this year is less clear cut and here is what investors should do.

Meg on SMSFs: First glimpse of revised Division 296 tax

Treasury has released draft legislation for a new version of the controversial $3 million super tax. It's a significant improvement on the original proposal but there are some stings in the tail.

Ray Dalio on 2025’s real story, Trump, and what’s next

The renowned investor says 2025’s real story wasn’t AI or US stocks but the shift away from American assets and a collapse in the value of money. And he outlines how to best position portfolios for what’s ahead.

10 fearless forecasts for 2026

The predictions include dividends will outstrip growth as a source of Australian equity returns, US market performance will be underwhelming, while US government bonds will beat gold.

13 million spare bedrooms: Rethinking Australia’s housing shortfall

We don’t have a housing shortage; we have housing misallocation. This explores why so many bedrooms go unused, what’s been tried before, and five things to unlock housing capacity – no new building required.

Latest Updates

3 ways to fix Australia’s affordability crisis

Our cost-of-living pressures go beyond the RBA: surging house prices, excessive migration, and expanding government programs, including the NDIS, are fuelling inflation, demanding bold, structural solutions.

Superannuation

The Division 296 tax is still a quasi-wealth tax

The latest draft legislation may be an improvement but it still has the whiff of a wealth tax about it. The question remains whether a golden opportunity for simpler and fairer super tax reform has been missed.

Superannuation

Is it really ‘your’ super fund?

Your super isn’t a bank account you own; it’s a trust you merely benefit from. So why would the Division 296 tax you personally on assets, income and gains you legally don’t own?

Shares

Inflation is the biggest destroyer of wealth

Inflation consistently undermines wealth, even in low-inflation environments. Whether or not it returns to target, investors must protect portfolios from its compounding impact on future living standards.

Shares

Picking the next sector winner

Global equity markets have experienced stellar returns in 2024 and 2025 led, in large part, by the boom in AI. Which sector could be the next star in global markets? This names three future winners.

Infrastructure

What investors should expect when investing in infrastructure: yield

The case for listed infrastructure is built on stable earnings and cash flows, which have sustained 4% dividend yields across cycles and supported consistent, inflation-linked long-term returns.

Investment strategies

Valuing AI: Extreme bubble, new golden era, or both

The US stock market sits in prolonged bubble territory, driven by AI enthusiasm. History suggests eventual mean reversion, reminding investors to weigh potential risks against current market optimism.

Sponsors

Alliances

Site Map

About Firstlinks

© 2026 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.