Gavin Smith PhD, Managing Director, Head of Equity Research and Sustainable Investing for PGIM Quantitative Solutions
This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
----------------------------------------
In episode 78 the Investing in Impact podcast, I speak with Gavin Smith PhD, Managing Director, Head of Equity Research and Sustainable Investing for PGIM Quantitative Solutions, on his journey into sustainable investing and the evolution of ESG and SDGs.
Gavin Smith, PhD, is the Managing Director and Head of Equity Research and Sustainable Investing at PGIM Quantitative Solutions. In this role, he leads the integration of ESG factors into the firm’s investment platform and oversees research and analysis for Quantitative Equity portfolios.
Prior to this, Gavin was a portfolio manager and a key member of PGIM’s Research team, focusing on alpha and implementation strategies. Before joining PGIM, he led the North American Quantitative Research team at Macquarie Capital and held research roles at Barclays Capital and Plato Investment Management in Sydney, Australia.
Gavin holds a BComm (Honors) in finance from the University of Wollongong and a PhD in finance from the University of New South Wales, Australia.
Takeaways
Gavin Smith, PhD, is the Managing Director and Head of Equity Research and Sustainable Investing at PGIM Quantitative Solutions. In this role, he leads the integration of ESG factors into the firm’s investment platform and oversees research and analysis for Quantitative Equity portfolios.
Prior to this, Gavin was a portfolio manager and a key member of PGIM’s Research team, focusing on alpha and implementation strategies. Before joining PGIM, he led the North American Quantitative Research team at Macquarie Capital and held research roles at Barclays Capital and Plato Investment Management in Sydney, Australia.
Gavin holds a BComm (Honors) in finance from the University of Wollongong and a PhD in finance from the University of New South Wales, Australia.
Takeaways
- Gavin's dual role combines quantitative equity research with sustainable investing.
- The evolution of ESG has been significant since the Paris Climate Accord.
- Data quality is crucial for effective ESG and SDG investing.
- Key metrics for evaluating companies include carbon emissions, water usage, and diversity.
- Engagement with companies is essential for improving data transparency.
- SDGs provide a framework for assessing the impact of investments.
- Greenwashing poses a challenge in identifying truly sustainable companies.
- The future of sustainable investing relies on better data and education.
- Investors are increasingly interested in the financial performance of sustainable companies.
- The integration of ESG and SDGs can lead to more impactful investment strategies.
Thrive in the Impact Economy.
Join 20k+. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for the latest news, exclusive interviews, and curated products that drive the Impact Economy. Our mission is to highlight and celebrate the founders, creators, investors, and conscious brands shaping the future of conscious business and philanthropy.
To learn more, please visit causeartist.com
----------------------------------------
Investing in Impact is powered by PIF Advisory — a global services firm empowering startups and enterprises with expert guidance, tailored solutions, and measurable results. Whether you’re launching your first venture or scaling globally, PIF Advisory delivers full-cycle support across every core function of your business:
- Bookkeeping, Accounting & Tax Management – Organized, compliant, and transparent financials managed by licensed professionals (CPAs, CFAs, CMAs, and lawyers) to drive smarter decision-making.
- Growth & Marketing – Data-driven strategies across branding, web, advertising, CRM, and sales enablement—all optimized for measurable ROI.
- Outsourced CFO – Flexible financial leadership covering cash flow, forecasting, and strategic planning.
- Entity Management – Stay compliant and ready for scale with expert corporate governance and compliance support.
- Operations, HR & Admin – Streamlined infrastructure to boost team efficiency and keep your business running smoothly.
- IT & Security – Safeguard your data and operations with best-in-class infrastructure, compliance, and protection.
- Technology Consulting – Build the right tech stack with expert support across NetSuite, QuickBooks, Avalara, and more.
- Management Consulting – Unlock growth with industry-specific advisory services focused on metrics, operations, and scalability.
As a sister company to PIF Capital Management, they also offer clients direct insights into venture capital and access to a global investor network—ranging from individuals to sovereign wealth funds.
👉 Learn more or schedule a discovery call at pifadvisory.com