We recognise that big data and AI isn’t infallible, which is exactly why MSCI have chosen a board of thematic experts who help ensure our ETFs won’t get left behind as themes evolve over time.*
These experts support MSCI with deep industry knowledge for each theme, and offer advice on how to keep the indices relevant and up to date, including removing and adding certain keywords used in the index methodology – more on that later.
*The MSCI index research team operates “inside the wall” at time of index launch, and at subsequent semi-annual/annual index reviews. The thematic experts operate “outside the wall” in an advisory capacity. After results of any rebalance have been publicly announced, the experts may then review the index constituents and advise the MSCI index research team as follows:
Feedback on stock additions and deletions
Suggestions on methodology amendments and enhancements
Recommendations on thematic seed words and keywords
Such input is advisory only in nature. Use of any such input is at MSCI’s discretion, and may or may not lead to a change to the index or index methodology.
Lukas is MD at Neckermann Strategic Advisors, a consultancy founded in 2013 focused on smart mobility and smart city strategy. He has 20 years of leadership experience in automotive and financial services, including roles at BMW and Allianz Group. Lukas was a founding member of TheOScarProject – the world’s first open-source car project – and is currently Advisor to four urban mobility startups: NEXT Future Transportation Inc., Flock, Splyt, and Eliport. Lukas is an Instructor in Strategy and Finance at New York University (NYU). He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and Technology Studies from Cornell University, and an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business; he has written three books including “The Mobility Revolution” and “Smart Cities, Smart Mobility”.
Mikko Myrskylä is Executive Director of the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) and Professor of Social Data Science at the University of Helsinki. He joined the MPIDR from the London School of Economics where he served as Professor of Demography. Professor Myrskylä holds a PhD in Demography from the University of Pennsylvania, and a PhD in Statistics from the University of Helsinki. His work focuses on population health, analysis of contemporary fertility trends, and demographic forecasting.
Professor Costas Andriopoulos (BSc, MSc, PhD) is Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Director of Cass X (Research Centre for Innovation and Disruption) and the Associate Dean for Entrepreneurship at Cass Business School (City, University of London). He is also the Managing Director of Avyssos Advisors Ltd., an innovation management consultancy. Costas is internationally recognized for his work on organizational ambidexterity; how companies in high-velocity markets can excel at both incremental (exploiting current capabilities) and discontinuous (exploring into new space) innovation. His research, funded by the Carnegie Trust and European Commission among others, has been published in top-tier peer-reviewed academic and practitioner journals. Costas is an active business consultant, educator and advisor, working with CEOs and senior teams around the world.
