Brian Kernohan, Manulife Wealth & Asset Management appointed as Senior Sponsor Co‑Chair of the Investment Leaders Group
The Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian Kernohan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, as Senior Sponsor Co‑Chair of the Investment Leaders Group (ILG). Brian joins Nicolas Faller, Co‑CEO of Asset Management at Union Bancaire Privée (UBP), who continues in his role as Co‑Chair.
Brian brings extensive global experience in sustainable finance, with a strong track record of integrating climate, nature and broader sustainability considerations into long-term investment and business strategy. As one of the world’s largest insurers and asset owners, Manulife Wealth & Asset Management plays a critical role in supporting real economy transition, and Brian’s leadership strengthens the ILG’s ambition to accelerate progress across the investment value chain.
Brian succeeds Peter Kolthof, whose leadership and commitment as Senior Sponsor Co‑Chair made a significant contribution to the ILG’s development and impact. CISL would like to thank Peter for his valued service and continued support of the ILG community.
The appointment marks an important moment for the Investment Leaders Group as it continues to convene leading pension funds, insurers, and asset managers to address systemic sustainability challenges facing the investment system. Through deep member led collaboration, applied research, and engagement with academic and policy expertise from the University of Cambridge, the ILG supports investors to embed sustainability as a core outcome of investment decision‑making, alongside the delivery of robust, long-term returns.
Quote from Brian Kernohan:
"I’m honoured to be appointed Senior Sponsor Co-Chair of the Investment Leaders Group (ILG) and to work alongside Nicolas Faller and the ILG community. I look forward to advancing ILG’s mission to strengthen sustainable investment practices and accelerate real-economy transition through collaboration, insight, and long-term leadership."
Quote from Nicolas Faller:
"It is a great privilege to continue to Co-Chair Investment Leaders group together with Brian J Kernohan. He brings an extremely solid background in sustainable investment and his vision will help our community to better address the challenges we are facing. The investors are more than ever questioning themselves how to deal with complex sustainability goals and we aim to help them with solutions and thought leadership."
Quote from Elliot Cyriax, CISL:
"Brian brings deep, practised sustainable investment expertise and a track record in delivering green transformation to the financial services sector. I look forward to collaborating with him and ILG members to develop academically rigorous, practical investment solutions, and to propel the Investment Leaders Group into its next phase of growth."