David Russell takes over from Adam Matthews as TPI lead

Adam Matthews, chief responsible investment officer at the Church of England Pensions Board, is to step down as chair of the Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI), with ex-USS responsible investment lead David Russell replacing him at the helm of the organisation. 

The announcement marks a big change for TPI with Matthews having been in the role since co-founding the organisation in 2017 alongside David Russell.

Russell was until last month was the head of responsible investment at the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), the UK's largest pension fund.

The TPI is an asset-owner led initiative which assesses company preparedness for the climate transition. In October last year, launched the Global Climate Transition Centre, examining how the world’s largest companies in hard-to-abate sectors are transitioning towards low-emission business models.

Of the change at the TPI, Matthews said: “It has been an enormous privilege to have founded and led the TPI. I am acutely conscious that it has always been a collaborative effort and many hands have built it.

“David [Russell] is one of the leading lights in responsible investment and there are few global initiatives that he has not been instrumental in contributing to a formative stage. David’s knowledge, wisdom and commitment to address climate change meant he was the obvious choice for the board.”

Last month, Matthews spoke to Net Zero Investor on among others the ongoing difficulties in engagement with the oil and gas sector.