Things are moving at DWS...

Things are happening at DWS when it comes to promoting women. At least it is visible from the outside that three women have recently taken on more responsible tasks in portfolio management.

 

Sabrina Reeh

• She recently took over as lead portfolio manager of DWS ESG Investa, DWS's oldest equity fund, with a volume of €3.2 billion
• In addition, she is an expert for European industrial stocks and deputy portfolio manager for the DWS Smart Industrial Technologies
• She is also one of 12 fund managers of the DWS Invest ESG Invest Women for Women fund, which focuses on social aspects. Here she contributes her ideas for the industrial sector
• In addition, she is part of the team for European sustainability equities

Question from the Fondsfrauen: "Sabrina Reeh, what do you enjoy most about portfolio management?*

Answer from Sabrina Reeh: "The job is never boring and is enormously varied. I particularly enjoy getting to know and understand business models in depth. But also that, in addition to the pure analysis of figures, I can exchange views on current developments in personal discussions with board members and the management of companies in order to draw valuable conclusions for my portfolio decisions."

 

Madeleine Ronner

• She recently became lead portfolio manager for DWS Smart Industrial Technologies, for which she was previously deputy portfolio manager. She is also deputy fund manager of DWS' flagship DWS Top Dividende fund, which is worth around 20 billion euros, and the DWS Invest Global Agribusiness fund.
• She is also part of the management team of DWS Invest ESG Women for Women.
• Madeleine Ronner is also Head of Industrials on the research side, focusing mainly on US industrials.

Question from the FondsfrauenMadeleine Ronner, why do you particularly enjoy researching industrials?

Answer from Madeleine Ronner: "For me, the industrial sector is interesting above all because of the diversity of its business models. From machine manufacturers and transport companies to suppliers of switching systems, everything is here. Many people have never heard of some companies, even though they offer products that we can no longer imagine our everyday lives without. In addition, the sector is constantly producing further innovations: I find it incredibly exciting, in particular, what is already possible with automation and what will still be possible in the future."

 

Vidya Anant

• She leads the team for European equity funds with a sustainability focus with total assets under management of €4.5 billion
• In addition, Vidya is an expert on European consumer stocks
• She is also part of the management team of DWS Invest ESG Women for Women.

Question from Fondsfrauen:"Vidya Anant, why does investing in sustainable funds make sense?"

Answer from Vidya AnantEarnings opportunities and sustainable business practices to preserve our planet are closely interlinked. Both consumers and society will demand more commitment from companies in environmental and social issues in the future - supported by government regulation. Companies that positively drive these aspects should therefore be better prepared for structural changes in the coming years and be among the more attractive investments."

 

Fondsfrauen's question to DWS: "Is it coincidence or intentional that three women at DWS have been promoted in portfolio management recently?"

DWS´reply: "The recent changes in responsibilities for individual products are the result of the new setup of the DWS Investment Division, which earlier this year gave more responsibility to both female and male DWS junior talent.

For example, the realignment on the Active platform resulted in Madeleine Ronner and Jarrid Klug becoming deputy fund managers of DWS Top Dividende. Marcus Poppe, previously deputy fund manager of DWS Top Dividende, now heads the European equities team together with Philipp Schweneke and manages DWS Deutschland. Sabrina Reeh has taken over as lead portfolio manager of DWS ESG Investa. She joined DWS in 2021 and has many years of experience as an analyst for German and European blue chips and small caps, which she gained at Commerzbank and UBS. Also as part of the realignment, Marcus Poppe has handed over responsibility for DWS Smart Industrial Technologies/DWS Invest ESG Smart Industrial Technologies to Madeleine Ronner, who was previously deputy portfolio manager of the fund. Marcus Poppe and Sabrina Reeh continue to be involved in the management of the fund as deputy portfolio managers. In addition, Vidya Anant has taken over as head of the European sustainability equities team."

Fondsfrauen's question: "Does DWS have specific diversity goals with quotas? And what has DWS done or what is DWS doing specifically to promote women?"

DWS´reply: "DWS places great value on gender diversity, as the following examples show:

• At least 30% of the members of the Supervisory Board are women.
• Target by December 2024 : Share of women of 32% at the first management level below the Executive Board
• Target by December 2024: 33% of managers at the second management level below the Executive Board to be women
• DWS offers with DWS Invest ESG Women for Women a global equity fund , managed by a team of 12 women
• One of the ways DWS promotes gender balance is through internal mentoring and sponsorship programs."

Fondsfrauen: Great, keep it up!