Our teams
As one of the largest institutional investors in the UK, it’s only fitting we should have dedicated governance and stewardship teams to focus on developing and implementing a professional approach to the field.
In fact, our teams have been around for a considerable time. Our governance and stewardship team was set up in 1992, and we’re now seen as one of the leading UK institutions in this area. In total, team members have 104 years’ investment experience.
A reputation that opens doors
Our financial strength and professional reputation encourage companies’ management to consider our views, and take them into account where possible.
Our governance and stewardship team works closely with all the companies we invest in, promoting compliance with UK and international codes of corporate governance. Companies are also required to demonstrate that they manage their social and environmental impacts effectively. By holding frequent one-to-one meetings with directors of companies and company secretaries, we’re able to raise any concerns with them directly. We also publicise our concerns where appropriate – you’ll find examples of this in the documents section.
Governance and Stewardship
Guy Jubb
Head of Governance and Stewardship
A Scottish chartered accountant, Guy's career spans merchant banking, corporate finance, venture capital and fund management roles in London, New York and his home town of Edinburgh. Before taking up his current role, Guy headed up our smaller companies and private equity teams. He pioneered the development of our corporate governance team in 1992.
Guy has been deeply involved in developing best practice approaches to corporate governance. He's a member of a number of influential committees including the ABI Investment Committee and the CBI Companies Committee. He was also a member of the Corporate Governance Working Group, which assisted the UK government during its wide-ranging review of company law, and the European Commission's Auditor Liability Advisory Forum.
Alison Kennedy
Governance & Stewardship Director
Alison holds a degree in business from the University of Edinburgh and a Diploma in Banking from the Institute of Bankers in Scotland. Before joining us, she was a UK equity analyst and fund manager at Provident Mutual, Scottish Widows Investment Partnership and Abbey National Asset Managers.
Jonathan Cobb
Governance & Stewardship Director
Jonathan is a member of the Securities Institute and holds an MA (Hons) from the University of Edinburgh. He has over 20 years of experience in the fund management industry running both UK equity and multi-asset portfolios. He has held senior fund management positions at Cazenove Asset Management, Standard Life Investments and Fidelity.
Douglas Wilson
Governance & Stewardship Manager
Douglas is a member of the Securities Institute and also has extensive experience in securities registration, settlements, fund accounting and taxation gained while at Hill Samuel Asset Management.
Joanne Edgeler
Governance & Stewardship Analyst
Joanne is a law graduate from the University of Aberdeen and also holds a MSc in business management. She has gained experience in investment accounting and fund portfolio administration from ISIS Asset Management and WM Company.
Andrew Spurr
Governance & Stewardship Executive
Andrew holds a Management honours degree from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. Prior to joining the Governance & Stewardship Team at Standard Life Investments, he gained experience of proxy voting and stock lending at Aberdeen Asset Management.
Samantha Harlow
Governance & Stewardship On Desk Support Executive
Samantha has an HND in Computing and a Post Graduate Certificate in Business Administration. She gained experience of front and back office administration processes from Mellon Newton, Bank of Bermuda, National Australia Group, Adam and Co and Martin Currie.
