The International business of Federated Hermes has appointed Gemma Corrigan as head of policy and advocacy. Based in London, she will work within its responsibility office and report to Leon Kamhi, head of responsibility.

Corrigan will develop and lead the implementation of the firm’s advocacy programme. Drawing on her significant public sector experience, she will engage with external stakeholders to advocate for industry progress on all sustainability issues including climate change, human capital management, corporate governance and how the investment industry can better serve its clients and their investors.

Together with Kamhi, Corrigan will develop the firm’s responsibility policy and climate change strategy and oversee and support its implementation across business activities, ensuring their alignment to the firm’s commitment to sustainable wealth creation for investors.

Corrigan joins the firm from the World Economic Forum, where she was a senior economist and lead for the sustainable markets initiative, which aims to accelerate an industry-wide transition to sustainable markets and rapid decarbonization. She has worked previously at the United Nations and the United States Embassy and holds degrees from both Columbia University and the London School of Economics.

The International business of Federated Hermes has a strong advocacy track record, having played an integral role in the development of and later becoming a founding signatory of the UN Principles for Responsible Investment in 2006. It acts as chair for the FCA-PRA Climate Financial Risk Forum’s Disclosures Working Group, as well as the UK chapter of the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials.