Rachel Alembakis

LGT Crestone has hired Amanda MacDonald as head of sustainability, joining from Perpetual Private.

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has joined Mike Cannon-Brookes’ Grok Ventures in backing an Australian company commercialising technology that could drastically cut costs and increase efficiency of solar panels.

Assistant treasurer Stephen Jones has committed to working with the finance industry to establish national standards for a green taxonomy that will define sustainable finance in Australia.

ASIC chair Joe Longo said the market regulator is currently investigating several listed companies, super funds, and managed funds for potential greenwashing.

Adelaide will see a new student accommodation housing project via Nuveen Real Estate, while SGCH’s affordable housing project with Lighthouse Infrastructure will expand in Western Sydney.

Alphinity Investment Management has listed two funds on the ASX in a bid to reach retail investors.

Conscious Investment Management has received more than $50 million in commitments for its second Social Housing Fund (CIMSHF2) as it reaches its first close.

Improving reporting on gender pay gap and gender diversity will help investors assess where companies are addressing gender-based equality and inclusion and set the stage for engagement on diversity measures beyond gender, according to First Sentier Investors.