Iain Richards | Head of Government and Responsible Investment
Columbia Threadneedle Investments

Iain is the Head of Responsible Investment at Columbia Threadneedle Investments, the global asset management arm of Ameriprise Financial Inc, with funds under management of US$482bn (as at 30 June 2018).
 
As part of the investment department’s management team, Iain leads Columbia Threadneedle’s responsible investment activities (AUM of US$34bn, as at 30 June 2018).  His work and responsibilities encompass most aspects of Responsible Investment, built around customised segregated solutions for institutional and sovereign clients.  This includes ethical, best-in-class and outcome/impact-based strategies, such as the pioneering Social Bond Strategies, that combine a focus on eight fields of socio economic development with delivering financial returns. He also leads and coordinates stewardship activities across the investment teams, managing key engagement projects and interventions.
 
Iain has worked in the financial markets for 24 years and is a member of a number of UK investment industry and capital markets groups.  He has participated in and led a number of major collaborative public policy initiatives within the industry and has appeared as an expert witness before UK Parliamentary Select Committees. He has also written papers on a range of issues, such as accounting and auditing and, in 2006, on the impending risk of a systemic banking crisis.  He has twice been included in the UK’s top 50 Financial Power list as a result of his work. Prior to moving into the asset management industry, he held various roles as a UK regulator, policy maker and legislator.