Fiera Comox appoints new head of sustainable investment

Fiera Comox has appointed Stéphanie Lachance as its new head of sustainable investment, giving her the reins to lead the firm’s environmental, social and governance efforts.

Lachance will also lead the asset manager’s sustainability effort and will serve as an active member of Fiera Capital’s global ESG committee.

She joins from Canadian pension investment manager PSP Investments, where she was managing director and head of responsible investment.

A statement from Fiera Comox said Lachance was responsible for building and leading the responsible investment practice at the pension, where she enjoyed a 15-year career and held multiple responsible investment roles.

“Stéphanie is an ESG pioneer within the institutional investment world and she will be a significant asset to [the firm],” said Fiera Comox partner and CEO Antoine Bisson-McLernon.

“She has shaped global ESG practices in agriculture investing, private equity and private credit at one of the world’s largest institutional investors, and we are thrilled to have her on board to help us further structure and build on our current efforts.”

Lachance trained as a lawyer and currently sits on several boards and committees, including the sustainability standards focused Independent Review Committee on Standard Setting in Canada.

She is also an investment committee member for the non-profit Canadian Medical Protective Association, as well as the Corporation de services du Barreau du Québec, which is the manager of investment funds offered to members of the Quebec Bar and their families.

“The demand and need for sustainable and responsible investment options is growing exponentially, and Fiera Comox has made it a priority,” said Lachance.

“I am pleased to be joining the firm and their seasoned team of professionals to support their ambitions and sustainable investment strategy.”

Montreal-headquartered Fiera Comox has private investment strategies in agriculture, private equity, and private credit. The firm had C$1.7 billion ($1.3 billion; €1.1 billion) in assets under management as of December 2021.