Geneva-headquartered investment house Edmond de Rothschild, which has over SFr184 billion ($218 billion) in assets under management, strengthens sustainable development team and reaffirms commitment to sustainable investment.

Edmond de Rothschild has just appointed Eric de Tessières (pictured) as group chief sustainability officer. Reporting to deputy CEO Cynthia Tobiano, he took up the post this week. He will oversee the group’s sustainability initiatives across asset management and private banking, the firm said in a statement.

Tessières will be responsible for driving and monitoring Edmond de Rothschild’s sustainability strategy in its investment platforms and products. He will also represent the group’s sustainable development initiatives externally and internally, supported by specialists based between Paris and Geneva, and a network of ambassadors in each asset class.

Edmond de Rothschild said it has been committed to sustainable investing for over 20 years. Fifty per cent of its assets under management are classified as Article 8 or 9 according to the EU’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) guidelines.

Tessières has nearly 20 years of experience in the banking industry and sustainable investing, most recently as chief operating officer of the Sustainability Center and head of solidarity Investments at BNP Paribas Asset Management. After starting his career at Ernst & Young, he joined BNP Paribas Investment Partners, initially in finance and business development positions for emerging countries, then as project manager to the chief executive officer in 2010. He was then made head of monitoring and projects of BNP Paribas Wealth Management's offering, the firm continued.

“Sustainability is a long-standing commitment for our group. Eric will be able to navigate an increasingly restrictive regulatory environment and headwinds from the financial industry,” Tobiano said. “Commitment to sustainability is at the heart of our shareholder family's investment philosophy. It cannot fail.”

The 100 per cent family-owned business specialises in private banking and asset management. It operates in Geneva, Luxembourg, Paris and Monaco, with businesses ranging from farming, wine-making and hospitality to family philanthropic activities.