Responsible Investor

RI Briefing, February 8: New UK social impact bond in pipeline

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

Denmark’s ATP “gratified” asset firms Goldman Sachs AM and PIMCO signed UN PRI

Fund giant says it engaged with managers to “induce” them to sign up

RI People & Appointments, February 6: UN PRI seeking Director of Global Development

ESG movers and shakers

Giant Japanese investor seeks environmental social and governance managers for passive equities

Candidates must be signatories to the UN PRI

FREE UNEP Finance Initiative chief quits to join private sector in responsible investment role

Will also step down from UN PRI role

Responsible Funds, February 3: the round-up of ESG funds news

RI’s regular look at responsible funds news

Australian super funds advised to see ESG as a competitive advantage

New guidance from financial services body Finsia

Aviva Investors names new Chief Responsible Investment Officer

First details of new structure emerge after shake-up

RI Briefing, February 1: Man Group hopes others will follow its lead on UN PRI

RI’s regular review of responsible investing news

FREE MSCI launches ESG sovereign ratings, to complement traditional debt analysis

New ratings cover developed, emerging and frontier markets

Aviva Investors’ SRI team seeks to stay together with new parent

Team leader Michaelis confirms intention

Aviva Investors cuts London SRI equity desk amid wider job cull

Formation of new Global Responsible Investment Team

UK’s €10bn responsible investment-focused pensions lifeboat in bond move

Leading responsible investor seeking bond managers

RI People & Appointments, January 30: New chairman at Finnish pension giant

RI’s regular round-up of responsible people moves

FREE UK’s NEST appoints Co-operative Asset Management as responsible ownership partner

Major new asset owner rounds out ESG suppliers

US fund manager offers free RI training to asset owners

RI Academy programme proposed to hundreds of pension funds and their trustees.

Fixed income giant PIMCO backs ESG to increase long-term portfolio quality

$1.3trn fund firm explains rationale for signing up to UN PRI

RI People & Appointments, January 23: ex-UN PRI operating chief takes up mission investing post

Ri’s regular round-up of people news

RI Briefing, January 18: UN PRI signatory managers sought by Danish pension funds

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

RI People & Appointments, January 16: US SIF names four new board members

RI’s regular round-up of people news

Threadneedle names new Head of Governance and Responsible Investment

€75bn funds firm hires from rival Aviva Investors

FREE Brazilian exchange moves to boost corporate sustainability reporting

‘Report or explain’ as country prepares for Rio+20 summit

EXCLUSIVE: Goldman Sachs Asset Management makes responsible investing commitment

GSAM signs up to UN PRI and plots ESG integration process.

RI People & Appointments, Dec. 19: J.P. Morgan seeks Director of Environmental Performance

RI’s regular round-up of people news

RI Briefing, Dec. 14: $4bn set to go into impact investments - JP Morgan

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

New UK workplace pension giant to use ESG research from EIRIS

NEST also backs Stewardship Code and UKSIF

RI Briefing, December 7: Hedge fund giant signs up to UN Principles for Responsible Investment

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

RI interview: Paul Abberley, CEO, Aviva Investors: PRI should take more public policy positions

Challenge for fund managers is to show full ESG commitment, says Aviva Chief.

Responsible Funds, November 25: the round-up of ESG funds news

RI fund launches, closes and asset data.

RI Briefing, November 23: Deutsche reviews asset management business

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

AEGON makes major new RI statement for €413bn group assets

Insurer to make third party managers RI compliant.

RI People & Appointments, Nov. 14: former SAM research head sets up new firm

RI’s regular round-up of people moves

RI Interview: Roland Lescure, CIO, $151.7bn CDP Québec fund: stepping up its RI policy

Engagement becomes a prime focus for the Canadian giant.

FREE Bank of America chief to co-chair new UN sustainable energy group

Senior figures appointed by Secretary General

RI Briefing Nov. 2: Threadneedle announces controversial weapons investment policy

RI’s regular round of responsible investing news

Brazilian banking giant Itaú launches sustainability and governance ETFs

New exchange traded funds from giant banking group

RI People & Appointments, Oct. 31: UKSIF Leadership Programme appointments

RI’s regular round-up of people news

FREE New UK workplace pension NEST signs up to UN Principles for Responsible Investment

Scheme to hire responsible ownership overlay & ESG data providers

EU considers requiring all financial institutions to disclose responsible investment criteria

Sweeping “Responsible Business” proposals from European Commission

RI People & Apppointments, Oct. 24: International Integrated Reporting Committee names CEO

RI’s regular round-up of people news

FREE Dexia confirms plans to sell European SRI pioneer Dexia Asset Management

Founding UN PRI signatory on the block

FREE Generation’s Blood enters ‘Occupy Wall Street’ debate

Protests could be a turning point in market capitalism, says RI funds chief.

$20trn investor group calls for financial incentives to invest in low carbon assets, ahead of Durban

Long-term policy and clear carbon reduction targets outlined in statement.

EU awards €225k to joint venture for ESG education project

ICGN, PRI and EFFAS join forces to build professional development programme.

European SRI giant Dexia AM reassures over mandates amid crisis

All mandates are “fully protected” in separate legal entity

European SRI giant Dexia Asset Management ‘up for sale’ amid crisis

Dexia AM a founding signatory of the UN PRI

UK’s Myners sees UN PRI having little “real world” impact

Directors, executives and fund managers don’t mention it, says influential former minister

RI Briefing, September 28: Quebec fund signs up to UN PRI

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investment news

France’s FRR RI head to leave the fund

Nada Villermain-Lécolier to work on new initiative at France’s CDC.

United Nations recruiting new CEO for $43.4bn pension fund

New top manager sought for New York-based pension giant

PIMCO signs up to UN Principles for Responsible Investment

$1.3trn asset management giant becomes the latest “mainstream” firm to back PRI

RI People & Appointments, Sept. 19: ICGN names three new board members

RI’s regular Monday round-up of people news

PRI hits $30 trillion assets mark despite fees and market turmoil

Initiative loses only 10% of members to mandatory fees.

RI Briefing, August 31: Denmark’s Codan launches CSR measurement project

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

RI People & Appointments, August 29: Canadian fund giant BCIMC seeks Shareholder Engagement Manager

RI’s regular round-up of people news

RI Briefing, August 24: €3.6bn UK fund criticised over tobacco holdings

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investment news

RI Briefing, August 17: Japan’s SRI market now worth €7.8bn - SIF-Japan

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investment news

RI People & Appointments, August 15: Generation’s Blood to advise new sustainability partnership

RI’s regular Monday round-up of people and appointments news

FREE NZ Super Fund facing questions over stake in tobacco-linked Chinese conglomerate

Holding revealed by Finance Minister contravenes tobacco investment policy

RI People & Appointments, August 8: Environment Agency fund hires Rathbone Greenbank’s Mansley

RI’s regular Monday round-up of people news

FREE Australian investor groups launch ESG reporting guide for companies

Super funds and wealth managers give investor perspective on ESG

PGGM and CalPERS executives elected to UN PRI’s new Advisory Council

Signatories back PGGM’s Bos and CalPERS’ Mathur

FREE Shanghai Stock Exchange launches sustainability development index

40-stock index to focus on low carbon, resource efficiency

RI Briefing, July 27: TIAA-CREF releases 2011 Socially Responsible Investing Annual Report

RI’s regular round-up of sustainable finance news.

South Africa launches responsible investing code for institutional investors

New voluntary Code for Responsible Investing in South Africa (CRISA) unveiled

Campaigning funds firm Co-operative to be sold to Royal London

Royal London in talks to take over leading ethical investment operation

$1.2trn investor group calls for “strong, legally binding” Arms Trade Treaty

Treaty “directly relevant” to the long-term financial interests of investors

Dutch engaged share ownership guidance launched by Eumedion

New “stewardship” guidance from €1trn investor forum

Six asset owner reps vie for two seats on new PRI Advisory Council

Voting open to all 900+ PRI signatories

RI analysis: institutional investors, ESG and News Corp.

Time for institutions to step up engagement?

RI Briefing, July 6: Report calls for tax breaks for long-term investors

RI’s regular round up of responsible investing news

FREE West Midlands Pension Fund signs up to UN Principles for Responsible Investment

Latest pension fund to sign up to the PRI

RI People & Appointments, July 4: UNPRI Chairman joins advisory board of clean tech finance firm

RI’s regular Monday review of people news

Italian insurance giant Generali signs up to UN Principles for Responsible Investment

Move comes amid broader SRI push from leading insurer

RI Briefing, June 22: CalPERS committee to hold ESG workshop

RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of responsible investing news

UN PRI shakes up signatories’ reporting to make survey responses mandatory

Greater focus on responsible investment outcomes amid transparency push

RI People & Appointments, June 13: South Africa’s King to chair integrated reporting committee

RI’s regular Monday review of people news

RI Briefing, June 8: EVCA includes ESG factors in new handbook

RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of responsible investing news

PRI Chair says 90% of signatories paying fee, warns of delisting for inaction

Predicted drop off in numbers hasn’t materialised.

KKR private equity titan Roberts says ESG is “good business and right thing to do”

Long-term value should outweigh short-term cost says KKR founder.

RI People & Appointments, June 6: APG names new ESG Head

RI’s regular Monday review of people moves.

RI Briefing, June 1: Germany’s DZ Bank launches sustainability ratings

RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of responsible investing news

Sweden’s AP2 and TIAA-CREF form agricultural real estate venture

Pension giants target grain production in the US, Australia and Brazil

RI Briefing, May 25: iShares launches sustainable ETFs on Dutch market

RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of responsible investing news

RI Briefing, May 18: French strategic investment fund signs up to UN PRI

RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of responsible investing news

Giant UK pension scheme backs new Legal & General carbon fund

New fund has input from FTSE and Trucost

RI People & Appointments, May 9: asset management executive joins proxy voting firm

RI’s regular Monday review of people moves and appointments.

RI COMMENT: Pension funds need to professionalise or governance reforms will be in vain

It’s time to put pension members’ interests first

RI Briefing, May 4: Vontobel and Hermes cooperate on voting and engagement

RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of responsible investing news

RI People & Appointments, May 2: New chairman at Dansif

RI’s regular Monday review of people moves and appointments.

CalPERS puts $100m into new ESG product

California fund backs quant ESG boutique

RI Briefing, April 27: Putnam Investments signs up to UN PRI

RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of responsible investing news

RI Briefing, April 20: AFL-CIO unveils Executive PayWatch site

RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of responsible investing news

€4.6bn Dutch development bank FMO signs up to UN PRI

The latest development bank to sign up

RI Briefing, April 13: Investors seek review of Anglo-American Alaska mine

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

UN Principles for Responsible Investment to look at fixed income ESG integration

New bonds “work stream” being formed

Rob Lake leaves APG to join UNPRI as strategy chief

APG looking at options for replacement.

UK’s new NEST confirms ethical fund and signs up to UN PRI

New fund seeks to be a “responsible and vigilant asset owner”

World Water Day: A drought in your portfolio?

Investors should understand the water exposure in their portfolios

Mercer ramps up responsible investment push with senior ESG hires

Investment consultant hires UN PRI’s Pollice and HESTA’s Fuller

UN Principles for Responsible Investment plans radical changes to board

Fund managers and service providers to get seats on new Advisory Council

RI Interview: Wolfgang Engshuber: the new Chair at the helm of the UNPRI

Munich Re chief to step down from his current corporate position in October to focus more time on PRI role

RI Briefing, March 16: Oekom Research’s report on Corporate Responsibility

RI’s regular round-up of sustainable finance news.

F&C says boardroom turmoil cost it institutional mandates

“We did miss some business,” says CEO

RI People & Appointments, March 7: Dr. Aled Jones to head new Global Sustainability Institute

RI’s regular Monday review of people moves and appointments.

RI Briefing, March 2: Nomura Asset Management signs up to UN PRI

RI’s regular round-up of sustainable finance news.

iShares launches ESG-themed ETFs on the London Stock Exchange

BlackRock arm responds to investor demand

RI People & Appointments, February 28: AP7 promotes governance head

RI Briefing, February 23: Trillium develops investment vehicle for “SRI 3.0”

RI’s regular round-up of sustainable finance news.

Merseyside puts ESG at heart of €1.6bn passive fixed income and equity manager search

Fund wants managers to monitor ESG risk and engage with companies

Henderson plans €392m SRI funds merger

More leverage on social and environmental issues with investee companies

RI People & Appointments, February 14: AXA names Corporate Responsibility head

RI’s regular Monday review of people moves and appointments.

Co-operative Asset Management in ESG tie-up with KKR

Co-op hails “innovative partnership”

RI People & Appointments, February 7: SocGen names Head of Sustainable Development

RI’s regular Monday review of people moves and appointments.

UN Principles for Responsible Investment names new chairman

Munich Re’s Wolfgang Engshuber succeeds Donald MacDonald

Major Dutch pension funds, TIAA-CREF launch microfinance principles

40 investors sign up to new Principles for Investors in Inclusive Finance

F&C says Sherborne attack threatens its governance role

Asset manager faces up to activist investor

UN Global Compact expels more than 2,000 companies in enforcement drive

Global Compact gets tough on firms

Shareholders take stand on pay at Aberdeen Asset Management

Fund firm faces up to significant “no vote” on pay

Denmark’s Lærernes Pension awards ESG bond mandate to giant US manager

Teachers’ fund taps State Street Global Advisors

RI Briefing: January 19: Oil sands firms “poor” on pay and ESG risks

RI’s regular Wednesday round-up of resposible investing news

RI interview - James Gifford, UNPRI: fees, growth, public policy and global expansion

UNPRI executive director maps out its strategy in a crucial year.

PRI plans annual ESG progress disclosure by signatories

Minimum transparency akin to Global Compact Communication on Progress under consultation.

Giant US asset manager Principal joins UN PRI

“It is intrinsic to who we are as an asset manager”

OECD calls on Japan’s giant Government pension fund to integrate ESG

Report suggests world’s largest asset pool should sign up to UN PRI

Boston Common divests Cisco Systems over human rights

Investor also expresses concerns over proxy voting

French pension reserve fund executive director, Antoine de Salins, leaves to join Groupama

UN PRI board member to join Groupama Asset Management as CIO

UNPRI chief operating officer Tagger to leave

New York-based COO was second staff member after PRI launched.

Canada’s Northwest & Ethical divests from Vedanta

Ethical investor becomes the latest institution to exit mining firm

ATP’s influential investment chief Graven Larsen leaves fund

Deputy CIO Henrik Gade Jepsen takes over.

The Co-operative Asset Management to run mining union assets

UK’s NUM expands relationship with TCAM

UN PRI signatory Henderson in talks to buy rival Gartmore

Henderson looking to scoop up £20bn funds house

France’s biggest trades union, CFDT, signs UNPRI as asset owner for its €350m finance reserves

Union says ESG move for finance assets reflects its values

Sustainable funds house SAM names Baldinger as chief executive

Ex-CSAM executive brings focus on institutional clients

Fixed income giant PIMCO endorses UK Stewardship Code

New code gets backing of $1.2trn investor

Italy’s largest pension fund signs up to UN PRI as membership surges

€5.7bn Fondo Cometa backs PRI

UNPRI signatories to get revised assessment ‘scores’ after software glitch

Recall came after ‘inaccurate’ data from survey software.

Merseyside £4.7bn fund to favour hiring asset managers signed to UK Stewardship Code and UNPRI

UK fund says it will recall all lent stock for votes at contentious AGMs in new Statement of Investment Principles.

UK corporate governance leader Railpen signs up to UNPRI

€20bn railway fund the latest asset owner to sign up

UN PRI continues top level hiring as signatories flood in

Director level role advertised as membership nears 850

€11trn investor group make Cancun climate change plea

259 investors want policies to plug “climate investment gap”

UN PRI looking at standardised ESG reporting for institutional investors

Inspiration from integrated corporate reporting

Australia’s Future Fund ups engagement and ESG integration

€49.2bn sovereign fund develops ownership rights approach

SEB Wealth Management nabs CDP’s Andersson

€129bn asset manager boosts RI team

Dutch pension fund PNO excludes Wal-Mart over labour standards

US retailer blacklisted by €3bn industry-wide scheme

AP2 demands performance metric on company share matching schemes, extends enviro assets

€22bn buffer fund moves into agriculture and timber alongside its existing green bonds allocation.

Capital International a signatory to UN Principles for Responsible Investment

Arm of reclusive US investment giant the latest “mainstream” signatory

NZ Superannuation Fund looking at ‘Positive Investment’

€8.8bn state fund also considering footprint of total portfolio

Sweden’s AP3 buffer fund knocks back 60% of exec comp packages in overseas holdings

Fund says many foreign companies unable to meet its pay criteria.

Act now or face trillions in climate asset losses, UNPRI-backed report tells long-term investors

Study puts annual environmental cost of top 3,000 companies at $2.15 trillion.

Carbon Disclosure Project names new chief executive

COO Simpson takes over as Dickinson becomes exec chair

UN PRI needs to “raise its game” says Robeco CEO Munsters

Netherlands working on a version of UK Stewardship Code.

PGGM’s investment chief van der Ende exits unexpectedly

Surprise exit from €99bn responsible investment leader

Universities Superannuation Scheme finance chief to retire

Change at top of leading responsible investor

ESG now integrated at $6.8trn of assets globally, UN PRI says

United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment progress report

EIRIS formally launches engagement service

EIRIS Engagement Service set for global roll-out

UN body calls on all institutional investors to disclose RI stance

UNCTAD examines RI practices at world’s largest pension funds

GES, Manifest form responsible investment partnership

“Holistic solution” as ESG consultant and proxy firm link up

Norway’s KLP reviewing ESG providers

€22bn Norwegian manager issues request for proposal

European pension funds increasingly including ESG in RFPs – survey

Aberdeen Asset Management polls 200 funds

Legal & General Investment Management signs up to UN PRI

The largest owner of UK equities is the latest “mainstream” signatory

South Africa issues draft responsible investing code for institutions

“Simple, yet powerful, voluntary principles” released for comment

UN Principles for Responsible Investment tops 800 signatories

Over 200 asset owners have now signed up

Norwegian government fund excludes Israel construction firm

Giant fund the latest to exit Africa Israel Investments

RI Briefing, August 19: LD Invest, Ceres/INCR, CalPERS, Istanbul SE

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investment stories

Hermes sets up asset ownership services subsidiary

New company founded by BT Pension Scheme’s manager

PRI signatories come together to kick off Australia collaboration network

Australian PRI members to share research and lobby work on ESG issues.

United Nations pension fund commits to IFC frontier fund

$35bn UNJSPF makes first ever alternative assets investment

T. Rowe Price signs up to UN Principles for Responsible Investment

Giant “mainstream” US asset manager in ESG move

Investors, NGOs convene for natural capital workshop

UNEP FI convenes London meeting at F&C offices

Responsible investors at heart of new integrated reporting project

High level group to examine ESG and financial reporting integration

RI Briefing, July 30: Foxconn, New York Common, Shanghai SE, Legg Mason

Rio Tinto, Unilever frustrated with mainstream investors on ESG

Greenpeace says NGOs will increasingly target investors on environmental issues.

CalSTRS mulls engagement on water, extractives and agriculture

Giant California teachers’ fund to ramp up governance

Asset owners: corporate reporting project needs you!

Project to feed into G20 summit seeks asset owner support

Canadian pension fund pours millions into Alberta tar sands firm

UN PRI signatory CPPIB backs Laricina

Deutsche Bank’s €5.5bn pension funds aim to raise ESG allocation

Banking giant wants to expand on current €100m ESG allocation

UK’s new NEST fund talking with global funds on responsible investment

New national scheme seeking input on integrating RI

Canada’s public pension funds and the tar sands dilemma

Funds between a rock and hard place on Alberta projects

Private equity ‘barbarians at the gate’ of ESG: conference report

Industry seeks to move on from stereotype to ESG credentials.

RI Briefing, June 9: Nordea, HESTA, NAPF, Network for Sustainable Financial Markets

RI’s regular round-up of the most important responsible investment news

EU critical of European funds’ low UNPRI membership

Less than a third of big European funds have signed up

Powerful Japanese trades union body prepares major ESG recommendation for its pension funds

Union confederation says ESG is a way of ‘regaining trust’ in investment.

Ireland mulling report on reserve fund ethics

Ethical policy a step closer at €24.4bn NPRF

UNPRI continues growth with engagement appointment

Organisation continues recruitment drive

Environment Agency axes SWIP from emerging markets mandate

€1.6bn fund seeks EM manager/s with ESG credentials

Storebrand Bank names acting CEO, excludes 90 firms

Management change at Norwegian insurance and asset management group

Huge investor coalition demands bribery policy clarity from 21 major companies

Defence and construction sectors under particular focus.

Stanley Fink’s ECP gets co-chair of UNEP Finance Initiative

Ex-Man Group chief gets a seat at the top table

UNPRI to hire five in major operational build-up

Three senior and one junior staff to be added in London; one US consultant

Shell UK pension fund among new UN PRI signatories

€12bn Shell scheme joins burgeoning UN PRI membership

Danish pensions giant LD tenders €70m green mandate in huge €6bn tender

PRI signatory says ESG factors will play a role in mandate hires.

RI round up: Apr 09

RI’s regular round-up of the most important responsible investment news.

The shareholder resolution spat over BP’s controversial tar sands plans

Investors take sides on call for oil giant to disclose info on environmental and economic risks.

Danish fund tenders 100m euro for UNPRI compliant small caps manager

Mandate placed on IPE-Quest tender service.

UNPRI to start lobbying on ESG regulation

European Commission discussions look at scenarios for ESG disclosure.

UNPRI coalition targets 86 major companies on Global Compact failure

Group targets reporting “laggards” that risk ejection.

PRI board bemoans institutional climate role in letter to Copenhagen heads of state

Investor interests have had a ‘minimal foothold’ in discussions, says initiative.

ESG practices in Africa are improving

Uptake is essential for development and building value, says new PRI signatory, CDC.

Governments want more activism while the public shareholder base crumbles

Changing financial markets for the better will require protecting the DB base of active investors.