Deborah Gilshan, head of sustainable ownership at RPMI Railpen, is to leave the scheme later this year to join Standard Life Investments (SLI).
Gilshan will join SLI in May as a governance and stewardship director.
She has been hired to implement governance and stewardship across SLI’s investment process, as well as actively engage with companies, their boards and regulators on governance issues.
SLI head of stewardship and ESG investment, Euan Stirling, said he was delighted that Gilshan was joining the firm’s growing ESG team.
“The consideration of environmental, social and governance issues is now formally integrated as part of our investment research process,” he added. “With her depth of knowledge and experience, Deborah will be a terrific addition to the team and invaluable in helping us to hold boards to account.”
Gilshan (pictured) joined Railpen in 2007 where she was in charge of the scheme’s approach to active ownership, corporate governance and public policy work to improve the rights of shareholders. She also led the development of a framework to integrate Sustainable Ownership factors across Railpen’s investment arrangements.
Gilshan is also the founder of The 100% Club, a network for professional women established in October 2011, and a member of the Steering Committee of the 30% Club, a global initiative to promote diversity. She also co-chairs the 30% Club’s institutional investor group in the UK.
RPMI Railpen said the search was underway for Gilshan’s replacement.
Railpen chief executive Chris Hitchen said: “I would like to thank Deborah for her outstanding contribution on corporate governance and investor stewardship both for Railpen and for the wider investment industry. She has also helped us evolve our thinking on Sustainable Ownership and what this means for us as a long-term asset owner.
“I personally have found her energy, tenacity and moral compass truly inspirational. We wish Deborah every success in her new role and look forward to continuing to work with her and Standard Life Investments.”
Gilshan said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve the trustee and beneficiaries of the Railways Pension Scheme and to be a steward of their capital. I would like to thank Railpen for the many opportunities I have been given and for their support for The 100% Club. I look forward to collaborating with Railpen as a fellow shareholder in my new role.”
She added: “I am thrilled to be joining Standard Life Investments, whose approach to governance and stewardship I have long admired.”
