Catherine Howarth OBE

As the appetite for impact investing grows among institutional asset owners, The Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) sheds light on what defines an effective impact approach. A recent position paper from GIIN presents case studies of South Yorkshire Pension Fund, Dutch PGGM, Zurich Insurance, and MassMutual, showcasing a trio of strategies they share: 1️⃣ Defined Impact Priorities - Each investor has set clear priorities that align with their beneficiaries’ values, ensuring their investments address specific social or environmental needs. 2️⃣ Portfolio-Wide Opportunities - Identifying impact investments across asset classes enables a diversified yet focused approach. 3️⃣ Dual Focus on Returns & Outcomes - These institutional investors balance financial goals with meaningful, positive real-world outcomes aligned with their chosen impact priorities. GIIN’s Director of Institutional Engagement, Christian Rosenholm, emphasises the growing interest and potential influence institutional asset owners hold in impact investing. Currently, only 1% of global capital is dedicated to impact strategies; increasing this could significantly drive progress on global challenges. 👉 “If we can get to 5%, if we can get to 10%, we’ll have solved a lot of things,” Rosenholm notes. These insights offer a valuable blueprint for institutions keen to make a measurable difference through their portfolios. #ImpactInvesting #InstitutionalInvesting #SustainableFinance #GIIN

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What are the 3 key principles for embedding ESG into your business? LDC Investment Director Matt Newbold offers ESG advice to management teams. Download the guide here: https://lnkd.in/ezv7fpi8 #TrustedwithAmbition #ESGforbusiness #businessfunding #ESG

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Can we solve social challenges without also considering nature and biodiversity? For UK investment professionals only. We asked Jasveet Brar and Thembeka Stemela Dagbo, Fund Managers at M&G Investments, to explain how social challenges, such as reducing inequality and improving health and well-being, are connected to climate and nature. Watch this video on our Impact Hub and discover how to make an impact with Jasveet Brar and Thembeka Stemela Dagbo. https://lnkd.in/ePDs-TT4 #Impactinvesting #Marketingcommunication

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Uptick in green bond fund flows. Nikko Asset Management Group The hype around ESG and overuse of this term is in part responsible for the backlash seen, but there are a number of positive developments such as the regulators ramping up anti-greenwashing pressure and financial market participants becoming increasingly better educated on the topics. 🔗 Read the full article on Investment IQ: https://incm.pub/4d7dbbn #investing #assetmanagement #wealthmanagement #finance

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Uptick in green bond fund flows. Nikko Asset Management Group The hype around ESG and overuse of this term is in part responsible for the backlash seen, but there are a number of positive developments such as the regulators ramping up anti-greenwashing pressure and financial market participants becoming increasingly better educated on the topics. 🔗 Read the full article on Investment IQ: https://incm.pub/3WstTwm #investing #assetmanagement #wealthmanagement #finance

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Fantastic to see that the work of Fiona Manning, CFA and William Scholes, CFA been recognised in the shortlist of the Investment Week Sustainable Investment Awards 2024 for Best Sustainable Fund Launch. A great way to top off London Climate Week which has seen sustainable investing firmly back on the agenda with thought-provoking events highlighting the power of combining profit and purpose to progress the world’s most urgent sustainable development priorities. A principle which is aligned with the philosophy of the Premier Miton Emerging Markets Sustainable Fund. https://lnkd.in/eZsmnm4x For Investment Professionals only. Capital at Risk. #emergingmarkets #activemanagement #sustainableinvesting

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Watch as Jonathan Bailey, Global Head of ESG and Impact Investing, explains how, as an active manager, stewardship activities are undertaken as an essential part of the investment process at Neuberger Berman 👉 https://lnkd.in/ebjdPPQs

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In 2021, the 300 largest foundations in the UK gave away a record £3.7 billion to charities and individuals in need. That money had a huge impact on the world. But what of the other £87bn of assets that those foundations controlled through their charitable endowments? What impact did those assets have? And more importantly, what impact could they have had? As part of our brand new guide "Evolving your endowment: Driving change through impact investing” (https://lnkd.in/dyGZ4ctg) - a unique resource for charitable foundations that want to invest the assets in their main endowment with impact - we have held in-depth interviews with foundations and investment advisors who are supporting them. We talked to both senior executives at foundations of all sizes and their advisors about their practical experience of how to set up an impact investing strategy and deliver it. Find out how they think about impact and the responsibility of managing a charitable endowment: https://lnkd.in/eRVSxN3k #foundations #impactinvesting #endowments #resources

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In 2021, the 300 largest foundations in the UK gave away a record £3.7 billion to charities and individuals in need. That money had a huge impact on the world. But what of the other £87bn of assets that those foundations controlled through their charitable endowments? What impact did those assets have? And more importantly, what impact could they have had? As part of our brand new guide "Evolving your endowment: Driving change through impact investing” (https://lnkd.in/dyGZ4ctg) - a unique resource for charitable foundations that want to invest the assets in their main endowment with impact - we have held in-depth interviews with foundations and investment advisors who are supporting them. We talked to both senior executives at foundations of all sizes and their advisors about their practical experience of how to set up an impact investing strategy and deliver it. Find out how they think about impact and the responsibility of managing a charitable endowment: https://lnkd.in/eRVSxN3k #foundations #impactinvesting #endowments #resources

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In 2021, the 300 largest foundations in the UK gave away a record £3.7 billion to charities and individuals in need. That money had a huge impact on the world. But what of the other £87bn of assets that those foundations controlled through their charitable endowments? What impact did those assets have? And more importantly, what impact could they have had? As part of our guide "Evolving your endowment: Driving change through impact investing” (https://lnkd.in/dyGZ4ctg) - a unique resource for charitable foundations that want to invest the assets in their main endowment with impact - we have held in-depth interviews with foundations and investment advisors who are supporting them. We talked to both senior executives at foundations of all sizes and their advisors about their practical experience of how to set up an impact investing strategy and deliver it. Find out how they think about impact and the responsibility of managing a charitable endowment: https://lnkd.in/eRVSxN3k #foundations #impactinvesting #endowments #resources

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The FRC has launched a consultation on updates to the 2020 UK Stewardship Code this week. I encourage investors to read Adam Matthews and Stephen Barrie's posts on the critical issue of the stewardship definition, which the FRC is proposing to change to emphasise "the need to create long-term sustainable value for clients and beneficiaries as a key outcome of good stewardship". Creating sustainable value for clients and beneficiaries should be core to the stewardship proposition - correct. Including the viability of economic, social and environmental systems upon which clients/beneficiaries depend in that assessment of "sustainable value creation" for clients/beneficiaries - also correct. BOTH are required to drive better member outcomes when dealing with systemic risks. Is it crucial that any stewardship definition explicitly acknowledges this connection? Now more than ever. Don't believe me? Take a look at this excerpt from the recent FMLC paper on pension fund trustees and fiduciary duty............................ One thing (among others) that is increasing is dispute or litigation risk in connection with businesses’ and governments’ response (or lack of response) to the subject of climate change. Because the subject of climate change is a worldwide issue, this is a risk that can present from anywhere in the world. It brings its own relevant issues, including possible adverse outcome and responses, but also the cost, the time and the element of uncertainty in litigation or arbitration. If it is a risk that comes with an investment it may outlast the holding of an investment. Pension funds exist as participants in much wider financial and economic networks. It is a feature of the subject of climate change that it is of major scale. From the position of the pension fund trustee, all the changes identified above or the possibility of them may be relevant to the return of a particular investment and the risk to that return. But so too certain investment strategies, principles and policies may be particularly vulnerable to their impact. And, as with sustainability generally, in the context of a pension fund and the purpose of a pension scheme, relevant too is the effect of the subject of climate change on return or risk anywhere across the pension fund and including by reference to all applicable time horizons. Financial factors therefore need to be considered at a number of levels: at the level of a specific asset or investment, at a portfolio level, and at the level of whole economies material to the pension fund. In responding to this consultation, please support the explicit acknowledgement of economic, social and environmental systems in delivering value for members. In this political landscape, it is more important than ever. Adam Matthews Stephen Barrie Faith Ward Vaishnavi Ravishankar Shipra Gupta Eva Cairns Claire Curtin Diandra Soobiah Renata Kostrzewa Caroline Escott Michael Marshall Jen Sisson People's Partnership

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Join our upcoming webinar on measuring and managing social and equity factors, with a panel of industry experts including Kieran Dobson, PhD, Caroline Barr, Katie Frame, and Warrick Fuchsloch. The webinar will cover: - The significance of the "S" in ESG risk management, showcasing examples from human capital management, labor practices, community relations, and assessing human rights exposures in the value chain. - Understanding the social and equity factors that market participants deem crucial in their portfolio risk assessments. - Analyzing the pivotal role of investment stewardship in effectively managing risks associated with social factors. Register here:

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What distinguishes great fund managers from average ones? In this first episode of the Fund Selectors podcast, host and award-winning fund researcher Lucy Walker, CFA speaks to Simon Evan-Cook, manager of the Downing Fox multi-manager range. Simon, a vocal advocate of active fund management, discusses his investment philosophy and his belief that it is possible to beat the market by unearthing and selecting talented, experienced and diligent fund managers. Listen to the episode here: https://lnkd.in/e8ziEP7k #FundManager #MultiAsset #ActiveManagement

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What is impact investing? Our guide, published by Bond UK, explains the different types of impact investing and how INGOs can play a part in the impact investment market – by being investors, accessing investment themselves or acting as market facilitators. Read it here - https://lnkd.in/e9Ut-_dd

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To hear about core aspects of impact investment, from the debate on authenticity to the differences between public and private sector impact, the importance of measurement and identifying genuine impact investment vs greenwashing, listen to abrdn's podcast with Fionna Ross and Sarah Norris. #ImpactInvestment #Podcast #PensionsforPurpose https://ow.ly/k21Z50T4Lwp

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The UK's DC Master Trusts are rapidly evolving from mere index investors to rapidly growing funds with diversified portfolios and an increasingly active approach towards stewardship and relationships with managers. Ahead of Net Zero Investor's DC Forum, Atharva Deshmukh examines how some DC investors are taking an increasingly active approach towards stewardship. https://lnkd.in/eyH2UViD

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"Impact requires action, action requires insight, and insight requires data." 💬 Joe Krancki, Investment Director, comments on the release of ESG_VC’s latest ESG research report in partnership with the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA). The findings offer the most comprehensive benchmarking of ESG performance across start-ups and scale-ups, and how this performance differs by stage, sector and geography. We are pleased to have contributed to the report by working with ESG_VC to compile ESG data from 587 portfolio companies backed by leading VCs including Atomico, Beringea, Molten Ventures, and Highland Europe.   Key takeaways from this year’s report include:   🌱 The amount of start-ups measuring their carbon footprint has almost doubled in the past year 📖 57% of start-ups are now offering study support to staff and 47% are offering internships, apprenticeships or trainee programmes 🤖 31% now offer AI training or codes of conduct on the topic   Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/dr7EfT9X   #growthequity #sustainability #responsibleinvesting   Greg Blin James Palman

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Integrum ESG work closely with our clients, providing their teams with transparent, auditable data while applying recognised ESG and Impact frameworks. Get in touch today to learn how we can work with your fund » https://lnkd.in/eJHJRrDy #esg #esginvesting #impact #sustainability #transparentdata

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"The investment community can advocate for consistent climate policy and support its implementation, but they cannot lead or drive the pace of the transition. Recognising this realistic role will lead to more effective and honest efforts towards sustainability." - Tom Gosling, London Business School. Learn more about how the investment sector's role on sustainability, on our digital series ‘Investing for Tomorrow’s Environment’, at 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eZhd-n7S 🎤: Tom Gosling #InvestingForTomorrowsEnvironment #GreenFinance #ImpactInvesting #EcoInvesting #SustainableInvesting #GreenFunds #ESG  🎥: Content With Purpose

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