Brooks Macdonald launches Responsible Investment Service

Today we launched our Responsible Investment Service, led by Ben Palmer, Head of the Responsible Investment Research Team, and Investment Director Edward Park.  Comprising two strategies, “Avoid” and “Advance”, the Service offers both an avoidance-based approach and a strategy which actively seeks to invest in funds that provide solutions to sustainability issues, or that have strong corporate policies and outputs relating to ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria. The Responsible Investment Service is integrated within our well-established centralised investment proposition.

Demand for responsible investment has been increasing, driven by social awareness, client requirements and regulatory support for sustainable business practices.  According to research earlier this year by Greenwich Associates, 96% of investors consider ESG investing to be a long-term trend, and 67% expect that demand for ESG investments will increase over the next three years.  Similarly, Deutsche Bank research published this month found that about a quarter of global assets under management are governed by an ESG mandate, and that ESG-focussed assets under management are increasing by nearly 20% per year.

The Responsible Investment Service represents our latest step in enhancing our offering to clients and advisers.  We're expanding our pipeline of growth opportunities through further product proposition development, deepening and widening adviser relationships, and identifying opportunities in new or under-served client segments.

Ben Palmer, Head of the Responsible Investment Research Team, said, “We’re excited to be able to offer an investment service for this growing area of the market, and to draw on our existing capabilities to branch out fully into responsible investing.”

Chief Executive Caroline Connellan added, “I’m delighted to announce our new Responsible Investment Service, with two distinct strategies to meet clients’ investment preferences. We see strong demand in the market for this type of product from both existing and new clients, and look forward to delivering a solution that meets their needs.”