Benjamin Kelly is a Senior Thematic Analyst (Behavioural Economics), Responsible Investment at Columbia Threadneedle Investments. His principal responsibility relates to the development, delivery and integration of thematic research within the context of responsible investment strategies, in particular sustainable outcome strategies across equity and fixed income portfolios. Within these strategies he is also involved in the wider work of the team around environmental, social & governance (ESG) research, voting, reporting and engagement. In addition, Ben leads the team’s idea generation in behavioural science from a thematic and governance perspective which includes providing behavioural insights to the investment teams regarding biases in investment decision making.

Prior to joining the company, Ben worked in BlackRock’s Investment Institute where he combined macroeconomic research across equity, fixed income and real asset teams with expertise in behavioural finance and investment decision making. In this context, he worked with fundamental and quantitative alpha generation teams focusing on their investment processes and how these can be modified to combat behavioural biases.

Ben is a current visiting lecturer in behavioural science at the University of St. Andrews and London School of Economics.

He holds a BSc (hons) in Chemistry, an M.Litt in Management, Economics and International Relations and a PhD in Behavioural Economics, all from the University of St Andrews.