The United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) is pleased to announce its board’s decision to recommend Conor Kehoe as its next Chair, from 2024.
Conor’s nomination will be formally proposed at the PRI’s forthcoming Signatory General Meeting on 13th September 2023, with his final appointment being contingent on a simple majority of PRI signatories voting to confirm him in the role, including a simple majority of asset owner signatories voting.
Conor will take over as Chair from Martin Skancke when the latter’s term as PRI chair draws to a close at the end of the 2023 calendar year.
Conor has vast experience in a number of roles. Notably, he spent 30 years with McKinsey & Co. where he co-founded the organisation’s Investor and Private Equity practice and the US based research organisation FCLTGlobal (‘Focussing Capital on the Long Term’).
His extensive knowledge of responsible investment includes serving as chair of the Integrated Reporting Council, as a member of the G7 Impact Taskforce on Impact Accounting, as well as continuing to provide expertise on the topic to McKinsey, where he still serves as a Senior Adviser.
Conor’s proven track record in helping organisations establish clear strategic plans that translate into operational reality will be integral to the PRI’s evolution following the ‘PRI in a Changing World’ consultation.
The consultation’s outputs, announced earlier this year, confirmed PRI’s remit and encouraged innovation in its implementation. This includes the formation of signatory progression pathways, to provide investors with a route to tailor their adoption of responsible investment to their organisation’s unique needs.
In addition, PRI will explore how to deliver greater regional relevance in its approach, among other transformative measures, which will ensure the organisation remains best placed to discharge its duties at the heart of the global responsible investment ecosystem.
Commenting on his appointment, Conor Kehoe said: “I am delighted to be recommended by the PRI’s board to assume the role of Chair from next year. The PRI’s voice has never been so vital, and the organisation has a hugely important role to play in the evolution of responsible investment issues around the world. I know first-hand the material benefits that responsible investment offers to investors, asset owners, service providers and ultimately the individuals and communities they serve, and – contingent on approval from PRI signatories – I look forward to having the opportunity to bring my experience to bear in this exciting next chapter of the PRI’s development.”
Commenting on the Chair nomination process, Sharon Hendricks, Vice-Chair of the CalSTRS Board and Chair of the Search Committee said: “Our view is that Conor has the ability and experience to lead a high-performing Board, to provide ideas and thought leadership, to challenge and support the Executive (particularly as we go through the PRI’s next strategy cycle) and to be a strong ambassador for the PRI across the globe.
“The recruitment process was underpinned and run by a diverse group of PRI board members, with a mix of gender and ethnic representation, to ensure that issues of diversity and inclusion remained at the forefront of the process. We were privileged to receive applications from a hugely talented pool of potential nominees from across the globe and we’d like to thank all involved for their applications.”
PRI Chief Executive Officer David Atkin said: “We are thrilled to announce Conor’s nomination as Chair and look forward to proposing him formally to our signatories later this year. Conor’s proven ability to lead on key elements of strategic organisational development make him the ideal candidate to lead the Board as it shapes PRI’s direction of travel as the organisation continues to advance its offering to signatories. We look forward to realising the benefit of his invaluable experience as we begin to plan the PRI’s next strategy period from 2024 to 2027, and specifically on how we can enact the remit delivered to us by the ‘PRI in a Changing World’ consultation to ensure we are supporting signatories fully in their responsible investment journeys.”
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Martin Skancke for his guidance and leadership during his tenure as Chair and wish him every success in future.”
For media enquiries contact
Rojin Kiadeh
Head of Press – Principles for Responsible Investment
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