Fitch Group, a global financial information services company, has appointed Andrew Johnson Jr as a non-executive adviser on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI).

In his new role, he will work with Fitch Group’s senior team to advance the firm’s progress on DEI issues. He will guide, advise, and mentor the executive management team and ensure that DEI key performance indicators are agreed upon, and the firm’s DEI strategy is implemented.

According to a recent statement on the news, Mr Johnson Jr’s appointment follows “a number of successful DEI initiatives” implemented by Fitch Group to “support its strategy of retaining, developing and advancing diverse talent.”

Mr Johnson Jr currently oversees diversity and inclusion at investment management firm Neuberger Berman, based in Chicago, US. He retired from the firm in 2018 following a 29-year career in the investment sector.

Mr Johnson Jr’s appointment at Fitch Group follows the recent hiring of Dr Maria Angelica Perez as the firm’s head of DEI. In his new role, he will advise Dr Perez on “the implications of emerging DEI trends and how they may impact the business.”

Paul Taylor, Fitch Group CEO, said: “Diversity, equity and inclusion has become a critical component of Fitch’s strategy and this new role reflects that.

“We’re very pleased to be able to draw on Andrew’s perspective and expertise in this important area. Diversity, equity and inclusion are core values at Fitch.

“We believe that diverse teams achieve better results by leveraging a broad set of ideas and views. Long-term, sustainable change is our goal and having a critical, independent, and constructive advocate for DEI advising the leadership team will help take us forward.”