BlackRock announced the appointment of Elaine Wu as Managing Director, APAC Head of Research in a newly created role for BlackRock Sustainable Investing (BSI APAC).
- Creation of a new role in APAC sustainable investing signals growing regional appetite.
- • Brings in a true pioneer of qualitative/quantitative research to deepen APAC insights
- The appointment underscores Blackrock’s continued commitment to ESG and sustainability.
In this newly created role, Elaine will drive the research agenda for BSI APAC and oversee the firm’s sustainability research across the region. She said: “Sustainable investing is a complex and continuously evolving space, and meaningful insights require discipline and rigor. I am keen to incorporate an APAC-based perspective into BlackRock’s ongoing work in the space to better respond to regional and global client interest.”
In a statement Blackrock said that, “Elaine’s expertise and proven leadership underscore the importance BlackRock places on using rigorous quantitative and qualitative research to help clients interested in better understanding the complex connections between environmental, social and governance factors and financial performance.”
With more than 14 years of experience in equity research in APAC, Elaine joins BlackRock from JP Morgan, where she was recently Head of Asia ex-Japan ESG and Utilities Equity Research and spearheaded ESG research for the firm.
With an early focus on climate transition and energy value chain throughout Asia, including coal-fired, renewable, nuclear power and gas/ water utilities, her research has expanded across markets and sectors, earning 1st place ESG Analyst ranking in the Institutional Investor All-Asia Research Poll (2021 & 2022), and recognitions in Greenwich, and Thomson Reuters Asia Analyst Awards. Prior to that, she worked at both Nomura and Lehman Brothers.
Based in Hong Kong, Elaine will report to Head of BSI APAC Emily Woodland and partner with global sustainability research colleagues across investment platforms to enhance our growing body of sustainability thought leadership with valuable APAC insights.
Emily Woodland, Head of BSI APAC said: “Clients are increasingly turning to us to help them connect data, investment strategies, and sustainability insights to build better portfolios – especially in Asia. Our ability to do this has long depended on the bedrock of rigorous quantitative and qualitative research, and Elaine’s deep capabilities will supercharge our clients’ access to the latest research and insights they’re asking for to reach their investment goals.”
