Churchill Hires Mickey Weatherston as Head of Sustainability and ESG Integration

By: Churchill Asset Management LLC via Business Wire

May 31, 2022 at 09:00 AM EDT

Churchill Asset Management LLC, an investment-specialist of Nuveen which provides customized financing solutions to private equity firms and their portfolio companies, announced that Mickey Weatherston has joined the Firm as Principal, Head of Sustainability and ESG Integration. He is based out of Churchill’s New York City headquarters and reports directly to Christopher Cox, Chief Risk Officer.

Mr. Weatherston will be responsible for providing strategic direction for ESG integration across Churchill’s Senior Lending, Junior Capital & Private Equity Solutions strategies, working closely with parent company Nuveen’s Responsible Investing Team to coordinate efforts across the broader organization. In partnership with Churchill’s investment teams and external industry groups, he will promote ESG best practices, drive ESG reporting efforts, and seek to ensure a fully supported ESG system and infrastructure to meet client needs.

“Prioritizing ESG and sustainability is a matter of fiduciary responsibility and good stewardship of clients’ capital. As a result, Churchill continues to invest in resources aimed at strengthening our ESG leadership within the private capital industry,” said Mr. Cox. “Mickey has extensive experience, including developing proprietary scorecards to Article 8 transitions. We are fortunate to have someone of his caliber guiding the next phase of Churchill’s commitment to ESG integration as we seek to create long-term value for our clients.”

With 18 years of financial services experience, Mr. Weatherston most recently served as Director of Marketing & Client Services at Muzinich & Co., where he was responsible for leading ESG integration across public and private debt products, in addition to investor relations and marketing. Prior to that, he held positions at AQR Capital Management, UBS Securities and Goldman Sachs.

“I know ESG is of growing importance to Churchill’s investors, employees, and stakeholders, and I look forward to building upon the Firm’s already well-established ESG frameworks,” said Mr. Weatherston. “I am excited to partner closely with management, Churchill’s investment teams, and our colleagues at Nuveen, who have been championing responsible investing for over five decades.”

Nuveen, the asset manager of TIAA, became a signatory to the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) initiative in 2018, while TIAA has been a signatory since 2009. As a majority-owned affiliate of Nuveen, Churchill has also partnered with the PRI on several initiatives and is currently working with the organization to develop a new ESG standard for middle market private equity and private credit.

About Churchill Asset Management LLC

Churchill, an investment-specialist affiliate of Nuveen (the asset manager of TIAA), provides customized financing solutions to middle market private equity firms and their portfolio companies across the capital structure. With over $37 billion of committed capital, we provide first lien, unitranche, second lien and mezzanine debt, in addition to equity co-investments and private equity fund commitments. Churchill has a long history of disciplined investing across multiple economic cycles and our unique origination strategy, best in class execution and investment are driven by more than 100 professionals in New York, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles. More information can be found at www.churchillam.com.

This material is not intended to be a recommendation or investment advice, does not constitute a solicitation to buy or sell securities, and is not provided in a fiduciary capacity. The information provided does not take into account the specific objectives or circumstances of any particular investor, or suggest any specific course of action. Financial professionals should independently evaluate the risks associated with products or services and exercise independent judgment with respect to their clients. Churchill Asset Management is a registered investment advisor and majority-owned, indirect subsidiary of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America. Certain Nuveen products are advised by Nuveen Alternatives Advisors LLC, a registered investment advisor and wholly owned subsidiary of TIAA, and distributed by Nuveen Securities, LLC, Member FINRA and SIPC.