London Stock Exchange Group plc (LSEG) announced the appointment of David Harris to lead its Sustainable Finance product team, part of the Data & Analytics division.

The appointment follows LSEG’s recent completion of the $27 billion acquisition of financial markets data and infrastructure provider Refinitiv, which forms a major part of the Data & Analytics division, along with LSEG’s global index, data and analytics provider FTSE Russell.

In his new role, Harris will build on the ongoing investment in ESG and sustainable investment indexes, data and analytics products, incorporating Refinitiv’s capabilities. Harris will drive an integrated approach to sustainable finance within LSEG’s Data & Analytics division, while bringing new products to market in this fast-evolving area, and will also chair an internal cross organisation working group, working in partnership with the FTSE Russell Sustainable Investment team and across various businesses as they invest in this high-demand space to meet customer needs.

Harris joined FTSE in 2002, most recently serving as Head of Sustainable Investment. According to LSEG, he played a critical role in building FTSE Russell’s sustainable finance index and data starting with the now widely recognised FTSE4Good Index Series, and supported the development of products including FTSE Russell’s Smart Sustainability, Green Revenues, Climate indexes and associated data analytics. Harris also played an important role in Group-wide sustainable finance initiatives such as the development of model ESG disclosure and reporting guidance for London Stock Exchange listed companies, initiatives such as the Green Economy Mark. He has also served as a Member of the European Commission’s High Level Expert Group on sustainable Finance, and as Vice Chair and Board Director of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF).

David Craig, Group Head, Data & Analytics, CEO Refinitiv, said:

“As our customers across the financial markets respond to the global challenge of allocating capital sustainably, this critical role is designed to ensure a focused sustainable finance strategy across LSEG. David is ideally suited to lead the sustainable finance product team. His deep industry knowledge and customer and stakeholder relationships from a 20-year career in sustainable investment provides the broad perspective needed to harness our capabilities to provide financial markets with greater transparency, clarity and tools to facilitate sustainable investing and the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.”

Harris added:

“Sustainable finance is now close to the tipping point where it will become the norm. The finance and investment community can drive the solutions to secure a sustainable and net zero emission future. To achieve this there is a need for robust data and analytics.  I am excited about our opportunity to collaborate across all client types to help join up the marketplace, to innovate, and to help solve the challenges in the integration of sustainability into the core of capital markets.”