Wealth Manager of the Year

Description

This award is for wealth managers which are trailblazers in embedding social and environmental impacts into their investment decisions, in the way they manage their portfolios, and in the way they communicate to their clients.  For example, they might have developed a multi-asset fund with an allocation to impact; they might have engaged proactively with clients to highlight opportunities to invest for impact; or they might be offering innovative reporting on the impact of their clients’ portfolios.

Judges do not expect perfection in all aspects of a wealth manager’s activities: they know that embedding sustainability into all investment decisions is a challenging process! But they will be looking for examples of outstanding performance as a leader in sustainable finance and impact, and of clear integration of sustainability and impact goals with the wealth manager’s core business.

Judges will be particularly interested in entries which involve an innovative approach to sourcing and assessing investments aligned with a sustainable economy.

They will expect to see measurable outcomes and impacts, as well as clear commitments to future progress. Specifically, they will be looking for real leadership in the selection and engagement of portfolio companies, and in monitoring and reporting, as reflected in the criteria below.

Criteria

Selection and engagement (40%): How the wealth manager selects and engages with companies in its portfolio on environmental and social issues such as:

  • carbon emissions reductions (Scope 1, 2 & 3)

  • commitments to science-based targets in line with net zero goals and the energy transition

  • zero-waste and zero-pollution progress and commitments

  • avoidance of deforestation and promotion of biodiversity restoration

  • diversity and inclusion

  • labour and human rights in the workplace and supply chain

  • impact on local communities

  • high standards of corporate governance. 

Monitoring and reporting (40%): How the wealth manager monitors and reports on the performance of its portfolio in these areas. The judges will be looking in particular for information on how it is engaging with clients on the impact of their investments. 

Integration (20%): How the wealth manager has demonstrably integrated all its work on impact and high ESG standards with its overall approach to investment. To what extent is it demonstrating a commitment to improved social and environmental outcomes through all aspects of its investment strategy?

Any confidential data will be treated as such and only shared with the judging panel, all of whom will have signed NDAs.