Lavergne takes on AXA IM Alts global sustainability role

AXA IM Alts has appointed Laurent Lavergne to the newly created role of global head of sustainability.

Lavergne, who joins on October 1 in Paris, will report directly to global head Isabelle Scemama. His new role includes the responsibilities of Justin Travlos, global head of responsible investment, who is leaving after five years with AXA’s alternative investments arm to return to Australia.

The new role covers AXA IM Alts’ business lines, comprising real estate, infrastructure, alternative credit and natural capital & impact investments.

The investment manager said its decarbonisation strategy would be a key focus for Lavergne. Targets include aligning 50% of the business’ real estate AUM with the Paris Agreement targets by 2025, avoiding carbon through investment in renewable energy solutions, and sequestering carbon through investment in forestry and timber management investments.

Lavergne has more than 28 years’ real estate and has been with AXA IM Alts since 1994, most recently as global head of real estate asset management and development.

Scemama said: “Sustainable investment is integral to our business and plays a fundamental role in our decision making to ensure we deliver value to our clients through future proofed investments that positively impact the world around us. 

“Laurent’s appointment marks a critical point in the acceleration of our decarbonisation strategy across our business lines, as we continue to protect our investments, mitigate against climate risk and advance our market leading approach in this field.”