The wealth manager has created a new role to lead its responsible business endeavours.

The UK's Old Mutual Wealth has appointed Jane Goodland as head of responsible business.

Goodland takes on the newly-created role after eight years of leading Towers Watson's responsible investment capability. There, she helped manage the investment consultancy's adherance to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment. She previously held senior responsible investing roles at HSBC Global Asset Management and Henderson Global Investors.

Goodland will join Old Mutual Wealth in August and report to customer director Carlton Hood. Based in London, she will drive the wealth manager's responsible business strategy and governance structure across its five pillars: customers, employees, the communities the business operates in, the environment, and the way the business invests.

Her responsibilities will cover the firm's internal network of financial advisors; its discretionary fund manager, Quilter Cheviot; asset manager Old Mutual Global Investors; the UK wealth management arm, Old Mutual Wealth; and Old Mutual International, the cross-border wealth management business.

“The financial services industry as a whole has got a long way to go to restore its reputation. We truly believe that leading as a responsible business in financial services can be a real source of competitive advantage,” said Hood.

“We need to make sure that we are making a positive contribution to our customers, our staff, the businesses we work with and the wider society in which we operate. Jane comes with the experience, passion and commitment to ensure that we can lead in this endeavour.”

Old Mutual Group's responsible business will continue to be overseen by its group customer director, Gail Klintworth, and the group head of responsible business, Helen Wilson.