Asset manager publishes third annual report into responsible investment
Insight Investment has published its third annual report describing how it has embedded responsible investment across its investment activities in line with the framework provided by the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment. The report, “Putting Principles into Practice”, discusses Insight’s views on how attitudes to responsible investment have changed as a consequence of the global financial crisis and indentifies the themes of climate change, poverty alleviation and water as the top three priorities for responsible investors.
Rory Sullivan, head of responsible investment, Insight Investment explains: “2009 looks set to be a challenging year with corporate governance and the robustness of cash flows and balance sheets being key concerns for investors. Beyond these issues, we intend prioritising three areas. The first is climate change where we will be focusing particular attention on the opportunities presented by the fiscal stimulus packages and the risks and opportunities presented by climate change adaptation. The second is poverty alleviation where we will be taking forwards our major collaborative project with Oxfam to explore the role that institutional investors can play in poverty alleviation and development. The third is water where we will be examining the manner in which major water users are preparing themselves to respond to the ever-growing demand and competition for water and the deteriorating quality of many major water sources”.
Commenting on the wider contribution of responsible investment to Insight’s investment activities, Sandy Black, head of equities, Insight Investment , said: “Events in the wider global economy over the past twelve months have only reinforced our views on the importance of integrating environmental, social and governance issues into our investment research and decision-making processes. Companies that are well managed and profitable and that properly manage their social and environmental impacts are likely to be better investments over the long term.”
Copies of the Putting Principles into Practice report are available at www.insightinvestment.com
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For further information please contact:
Insight Investment press office Tel: 020 7321 1358
Notes to editors:
A copy of Insight’s report entitled “Putting Principles into Practice” is available from Insight press office or at www.insightinvestment.com
United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI)
UNPRI is a major global initiative aimed at asset owners and their asset managers. The signatories to the Principles commit to integrating environmental, social and governance issues into conventional investment analysis; being active, responsible owners by promoting good practice in these areas; and reporting transparently on the actions taken .
Issued by Insight Investment Management (Global) Limited. Registered in England and Wales. Registered office 33 Old Broad Street, London EC2N 1HZ. Registered no. 827982. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
Insight Investment manages funds for institutional and retail clients across a range of asset types including equities, bonds, derivatives and alternatives, with the aim of providing precise investment solutions for investment needs. Insight’s assets under management totalled £116.6bn as at 31 March 2009.
www.insightinvestment.com
