He is expected to assume his new post early next year.
During his tenure, CalPERS fund grew by more than $69 billion - from $127 billion to $196 billion -- helping to reduce contributions by employers and taxpayers. More than $8 billion of excess return was added to the Fund's coffers during this period due to strategic investment decisions made under Anson. He has also been a strong advocate for finding investments that will generate additional returns to the fund, launching investment programs in hedge funds and enhanced indexing strategies.
Under his leadership, CalPERS became the first pension fund to pursue environmental investment initiatives aimed at achieving positive financial returns while fostering sustainable growth and sound environmental practices.
Anson also moved CalPERS investment and corporate governance agendas forward, helping to shape market reform initiatives to tackle egregious executive compensation programs, enhance transparency of corporate environmental liabilities, and strengthen hedge fund regulations.
"Mark did a spectacular job for us during some of the most difficult periods in our financial markets," said Rob Feckner, President of the CalPERS Board of Administration. "His performance over the last four years has helped ensure the retirement security of all our members."
Anson joined CalPERS in October 1999 as Senior Principal Investment Officer for the System’s domestic equity program. He was promoted nine months later to the position of Senior Investment Officer for Equities. He was named CalPERS Chief Investment Officer in December 2001.
"While it is a sad for me to leave CalPERS, I look forward to my new responsibilities at Hermes," said Anson.
"We are going to miss Mark, but wish him well in his new career," said Charles P. Valdes, Chair of CalPERS Investment Committee. "His leadership and investment foresight have been the driving force behind the success of our investment operations."
The CalPERS Board will meet to discuss steps to replace Anson at their scheduled Board meetings in November.
The pension fund's Chief Investment Officer oversees a 200-member investment staff and implements investment strategies for overall asset allocation, public and private equity, fixed income and real estate investments.
CalPERS is the nation's largest public pension fund with assets totaling $195 billion. The System provides retirement and health benefits to more than 1.4 million State and local public employees and their families. For more information on CalPERS, visit www.calpers.ca.gov.
