Responsible Investor

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

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

Environment, Feb. 7: Generation IM discloses stake in smart grid firm

RI’s regular review of environmental investing news

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

ESG movers and shakers

FREE UK Pension Protection Fund seeks responsible farmland and timberland managers

Candidates must manage assets “responsibly and sustainably”

RI Governance, Feb. 2: MSCI’s governance earnings slip in fourth quarter

RI’s regular review of governance developments

FREE Henderson was a canary in the coalmine, Aviva is an explosion in the SRI business…

If asset managers are cutting SRI funds teams, will they really back ESG integration if the price signals aren’t strong?

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

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

RI Governance, Jan. 26: New proxy consultant launches in UK

RI’s regular round-up of govenrance and engagement news

RI Briefing, January 25: Royal Bank of Canada in social and environmental initiative

RI’s regular review of responsible investing developments

FREE UK confirms binding shareholder votes on future executive pay

Government issues measures to address pay “disconnect”

Group warns Bank of England over “systemic risk” of high carbon investments

Investors and campaign groups write to BOE Governor

RI Governance & Engagement, Jan. 19: Tokyo exchange planning governance changes

RI’s regular round-up of governance and engagement news

Investors braced for key UK executive pay proposals next week as Fidelity enters debate

Long-awaited government pay proposals to be unveiled by Business Secretary Vince Cable

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

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

UK investors meet with government and warn that binding pay vote could backfire

Proposal to vote on ‘forward-looking’ pay policy floated.

Clean Investor, January 17: CDP chief named to Clean Development Mechanism panel

RI’s regular round-up of clean investing news

Threadneedle names new Head of Governance and Responsible Investment

€75bn funds firm hires from rival Aviva Investors

UK government indicates binding pay vote on the way: but will it work?

PM Cameron says there is a market failure on pay, so let the ‘market’ decide!

FREE €3trn investor group sets out to improve quality of engagement

Goal to make engagement “more rewarding” for investors and companies

RI People & Appointments, January 9: New operations chief at APG

RI’s regular round-up of people news

RI Governance & Engagement, Jan. 5: Funds take legal action over failed brokerage MF Global

RI Briefing, January 4: €5bn charity sector fund signs up to Stewardship Code

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

RI Briefing, December 21: Microfinance transparency project winds down

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

Clean Investor, December 20: Clean Development Mechanism under review

RI’s regular round-up of clean investing news

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

RI’s regular round-up of people news

Stake institutional investors mull Climate Change Capital sale ‘deal’ reports

New-York listed Bunge reported to be close to CCC buy-out

Responsible Funds, Dec. 16: the round-up of ESG funds news

RI’s regular look at responsible funds news

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

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

FREE €9bn Church investors to exclude high interest-rate lenders

Ethical advisory group “not prepared to sanction” investment

Asset owners seeking stewardship assurance from fund managers - watchdog

Stewardship becoming integral to investment mandates, says FRC

Henderson SRI team’s talks with management end

Six-strong team will be made redundant after talks reach no outcome.

UK government sets up £200m interim Green Investments team, seeks fund managers

Green Investment Bank gets a step closer

RI People & Appointments, December 12: New class actions head at ISS

RI’s regular round-up of people news

New UK workplace pension giant to use ESG research from EIRIS

NEST also backs Stewardship Code and UKSIF

RI Governance & Engagement, Dec. 8: Australian govt looks at role of AGMs

RI’s regular round-up of governance and engagement news

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

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

NAPF survey says 72% of UK’s biggest pension funds to use RI criteria in manager hires

Trade body says funds also becoming more ‘hands on’ with investee companies.

Clean Investor, December 6: Deutsche Bank on Durban climate talks

The regular Tuesday round-up of clean investing news

MP warns investors about News Corp. computer hacking allegations

Local Authority Pension Fund Forum conference told of risks

Giant UK coal mining pension funds sign up to Stewardship Code

Latest asset owners to issue compliance statement

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.

RI Briefing, Nov. 30: Global Reporting Initiative names new chairman

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

Climate Change Capital in talks with investors over capital raising

Company confirms in discussions with investors

FREE BSkyB AGM: 19% of shareholder votes go against James Murdoch

Shareholders make their views known at media company

The risks of failing to act effectively on executive remuneration

It is worth considering the High Pay Commission’s proposals in detail.

UK government calls on pension and sovereign wealth funds to invest in offshore wind

Ministers make the case to potential investors

FREE What now for the SRI team at Henderson facing redundancy?

Could a sale to a third-party or a spin-off be on the table?

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

RI fund launches, closes and asset data.

RI Governance & Engagement, Nov. 24: New engagement on Canadian oil sands

The regular round-up of governance and engagement developments

California pension giant votes against entire BSkyB board

Investor pressure ahead of next week’s AGM

Ethical IFAs say clients will be unimpressed by Henderson SRI team cuts

Move is a “retrograde step” according to advisor.

FREE Hermes Fund Managers’ CEO Clarke steps down

Change at the top of major responsible investor

RI Briefing, November 23: Deutsche reviews asset management business

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

FREE Major blow as six-member SRI team at UK fund manager faces redundancy

Leading manager to outsource research to EIRIS

UK High Pay report recommendations look set to influence govt. action on investors

Shareholder/pay consultation ends this Friday as commission cites ‘deeply damaging’ excesses.

Misinterpreted fiduciary duty driving short-termism, says Fair Pensions

Beneficiaries can drive long-termism and stewardship, says campaign group

Church investors meet with FTSE-listed hotel chains over Olympic trafficking

Hotels in spotlight ahead of London games

US sustainability investor Calvert axes UK asset manager from sub-advisory role over performance

F&C mandate replaced by multi-manager structure.

FREE Alpha for ‘high sustainability’ companies after 3 years, says major Harvard/LBS research report

RI talks to the professors behind long-term corporate sustainability findings.

TUC: manager voting survey indicates shareholders “not doing their job properly”

Challenge comes as UK government reiterates exec pay legislation threat.

LAPFF opposes James Murdoch’s re-election as BSkyB chairman

Voting alert follows engagement and evidence before Parliament

FREE Proxy firm ISS names Aviva’s Marshall as European research head

Asset manager’s regional head joins influential advisory firm

UK MPs suggest Stewardship Code improvements in anniversary report

ABI, TUC and BlackRock all contribute to Stewardship thought papers.

BSkyB shareholders add to Murdoch pressure by declaring no vote for Chair re-election at Nov 29 AGM

UK parliamentary hearing takes place today.

RI Briefing, November 9: GRI launches sustainability disclosure database

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

Clean Investor, November 8: Clean tech investments by NBIM, Generation IM

The round-up of clean investing news

Major new study of financial ethics published by St Paul’s Cathedral institute

Cathedral at heart of ‘Occupy London’ protests releases timely survey

RI People & Appointments, November 7: UN PRI marketing chief steps down

RI’s regular Monday people round-up

RI Governance & Engagement, Nov. 3: €10bn UK fund tenders proxy voting

RI’s regular round-up of governance and engagement developments

UK fracking report finds “quite exceptional” earthquake results at controversial site

ESG risk growing in importance for investors.

Bishop meets institutional investors on executive pay as Church softens Occupy London stance

Plans for Church group to examine the ethics of finance.

Clean Investor, November 1: Climate Advocacy Fund targets ANZ on emissions

RI’s regular look at clean investment

UK charity launches £20m bond as regulator clarifies ethical investment guidance

Innovative bond programme developed with Investing for Good

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

RI Governance & Engagement, Oct. 27: Australia pilots Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative

RI’s regular round-up of governance news

RI Briefing, October 26: Trucost launches sustainability app

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

FREE Asset managers, banks and insurers line up against financial trading tax

FTT will impede the efficient operation of markets, say trade groups

Dutch pension giants vote against Murdochs as CalPERS hails “winds of change”

“Strong signal” to directors pushing for change, says CalPERS’ Simpson

Investor group calls for James Murdoch to leave Sotheby’s and GSK boards

Union-affiliated CtW widens scrutiny on News Corp. director

RI Governance & Engagement, Oct. 20: OTPP votes against News Corp.’s James Murdoch

RI’s regular Thusday review of corporate governance and engagement news

Mercer boosts responsible investment consulting team

Consultant nabs leading pension industry sustainability figure

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

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

Public demand is driving the evolution of green and ethical investment

Awareness growing of what responsible investing is.

RI People & Appointments, October 17: TIAA-CREF seks MD, Global Social & Community Investing

RI’s regular Monday review of people news

Hermes EOS the latest investor body to line up against News Corp.

Pressure intensifies on embattled media giant

RI Governance & Engagement, Oct. 13: Pension suit over Goldman pay gets thrown out

RI’s regular roundup of governance news

BP meets with socially responsible investors on safety and risk, reviews board governance

Oil major reaching out to SRI investors at London and New York meetings

CDP: majority of FTSE 350 companies way below government C02 reduction targets

A third fail to respond at all to annual carbon survey.

RI Briefing, October 12: UK ethical investment reaches €12.9bn says EIRIS

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

News Corp. hits back at proxy firms as California pension giant votes against directors

Major institution rejects director candidates as company fights back

Clean Investor, October 11: GRI proposes new sustainability reporting approach

RI’s regular round-up of clean investing news

Pressure mounts on News Corp board as US proxy firms weigh in

ISS and Glass Lewis recommend director no votes.

UK voting advisor Manifest teams up with Australia’s SIRIS

Melbourne branch office for corporate governance firm

RI People & Appointments, Oct. 10: Tributes to Australian RI pioneer Erik Mather

RI’s regular round-up of people moves in the responsible investment field.

£100bn UK pension fund group opposes Murdochs at News Corp AGM

Decision follows engagement with company

UK’s largest pension fund weighs in on high frequency trading

Giant BT fund stresses “agency role” of market players

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 People & Appointments, October 3: Vigeo names UK business development head

RI’s regular Monday morning round-up of people news

RI Governance & Engagement, Sept. 29: Ethos calls for removal of UBS chairman

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

Investor seeks probe into Uganda forest ‘land grab’ accusations

Response to Oxfam allegations against New Forests Company

Generation pays out £10.7m to Blood as profits jump

Firm pays back some of co-founder’s investment.

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

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investment news

RI Governance & Engagement, Sept. 22: Malaysia seeks to boost corporate disclosure

RI’s regular round-up of governance and engagement developments

UK considers introducing binding shareholder votes on executive pay

“Engaging shareholders and empowering them to take action on executive pay”

FREE CBI chief suggests changing tax regime to encourage long-term investment

Something to be looked at by Kay Review says CBI President

UK Kay review on investor short-termism outlines public comment questions and promises “action”

Report to look along the chain of investment decision making.

Railpen votes against asset management remuneration

Investor signal on fund management pay

UK names advisory board to £3bn Green Investment Bank, includes UKSIF chief

Bank plans to start lending early next year.

UK banking giant RBS cuts links to cluster bomb clients

Chief executive sends email response to campaigners

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

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

FREE €31bn Royal Mail fund signs up to Stewardship Code

Major asset owner boosts investor code

UK launches £40m social impact bonds to support deprived families - aims for pension products

Trial based on bond for lowering prison reoffending rates in Peterborough.

UK £4bn LPFA scheme advertises for new ESG investment manager to replace Aled Jones

Experienced incumbent expected to stay in RI field.

FREE UK ethical fund sales highest since 2007, beat total market for the year.

Positive flows ahead of UK National Ethical Investment Week.

The UK comes into the modern age as the Bribery Act becomes law

Update of prior bribery laws which dated back to 1889.

How low pay is moving up pension funds’ governance agendas

Investors taking on top pay have so far been silent on pay at the other end

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

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

Co-operative Financial Services CEO Richardson steps down

Head of leading responsible finance firm exits

Asset manager RCM may start filing shareholder resolutions in ESG push

Allianz boutique ramps up global proxy voting system

UK funds advisor withdrew Murdoch succession AGM filing at News Corp. just before crisis hit

Fund manager withdrew proposal after dialogue with company.

Myners calls for Murdoch to step down as BSkyB Chair

Former City Minister says ‘business judgement’ of Murdoch is questionable as phone hacking scandal rolls on.

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

Royal London in talks to take over leading ethical investment operation

UK must grasp the nettle on sustainable finance and investment

UKSIF celebrates its 20th birthday with action call.

FREE Giant US pension fund votes against Marks & Spencer CEO

Florida’s SBA casts vote against re-election of Marc Bolland at today’s AGM

FREE Editor’s comment: Murdoch and News Corp, hacked to bits?

Shareholders can’t say they weren’t warned!

UK’s £5bn church asset chief expects top News Corp. executives to be tried in court

Media giant “not a place where shareholders come first” says Church Commissioners’ Whittam Smith

Triodos Renewables launches £15m public share issue for wind investments

Placing of 8.3m shares to public

RI analysis: institutional investors, ESG and News Corp.

Time for institutions to step up engagement?

£4bn London Pension Fund Authority goes Dutch for voting and engagement on £1bn in equities

Appointment follows major internal review.

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

Latest pension fund to sign up to the PRI

Threadneedle’s governance and responsible investment head Niklasson to leave

Change at leading SRI fund manager

Bob Monks makes additional investment in Trucost

Shareholder activist backs environmental data firm

The RI Interview: Lord Myners on governance - practising what he preaches

The former UK Financial Services Secretary talks activism, engagement and converting sceptics on the value of better stewardship.

Clean Investor conference: Minister sees ‘big appetite’ for Green Bank from institutional investors

Greg Barker, UK Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change, tells conference he is “hopeful” for 2012 start despite legislative hurdles.

Asset owners, fund managers to sit on UK’s new Kay Review panel

Government confirms role of asset owners in major systemic review

UK’s €9bn Church investors target supermarkets over cheap alcohol

“We want to use our influence as shareholders”

UK institutional investment groups set up “mechanism for collective engagement”

Institutional Investor Committee sets up new high-powered Advisory Council

Asset owners who fail to engage may be “abrogating fiduciary duty”

High-level study looks at barriers to engagement

UK’s CDC to consider running third-party pension fund assets

ESG takes centre stage at development finance institution in government revamp

Active ownership specialist Cevian hires Myners for UK role

€3.5bn firm nabs ex-government minister

UK share voting advisor avoids wind-up order over tax debt

Proxy firm reaches voluntary arrangement with creditors for repayment.

New Green Investment Bank to prioritise offshore wind, waste, energy efficiency

Investments to start from April 2012

UK mainstream investor association, IIC, calls on bank fees challenge, but drops Stewardship role

Relaunched shareholders group issues guidance on underwriting but rows back from original investor engagement statement.

Ludgate Investments director Meir to leave

Ex-Pioneer UK chief departs cleantech investor for “family reasons”

Vigeo hiring for UK business push

French ESG house plans marketing presence in London.

Giant UK pension scheme backs new Legal & General carbon fund

New fund has input from FTSE and Trucost

RI Governance & Engagement, May 12: CalPERS’ annual director election proposal gets 69% support

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

Raj Thamotheram leaves AXA IM advisory role

Well-known RI figure departs to publish new book on lessons from BP and Fukushima.

UK reporting watchdog forced Rio Tinto to publish ESG financial risks

Investigation followed complaint from investor.

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

It’s time to put pension members’ interests first

UK authorities launch consultation on boardroom diversity

FRC wants “workable alternative to quotas”

Co-op invests in West Bank-linked Veolia and Alstom despite misgivings

Investor takes “pragmatic” view of companies’ operations

Barclays faces bonus outcry and commodities protests at today’s AGM

Investors question pay and bonuses at UK bank annual meeting.

Dutch pension giants voted against BP safety chief

Influential asset owners refused to back Sir William Castell

BP’s ghost reappears but have asset owners learned their lessons?

Australia’s first climate change AGM resolution at Woodside Petroleum takes place on April 20.

Investors register protest over BP’s safety committee chairman

43% of votes against Castell – CBIS

Norwegian investor KLP votes against BP chairman

Environment committee chief and remuneration also rejected

Giant US pension funds weigh into BP AGM protest

CalPERS and Florida SBA also vote against environmental committee chief

UK’s NEST awards ethical mandate to F&C Asset Management

New workplace scheme to screen human rights, environment and corporate governance

RI Governance & Engagement, April 8: Pennsylvania amends proxy guidelines to boost diversity

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

RI Briefing, April 6: FTSE launches ESG ratings service

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

RI Governance & Engagement: April 1: RWE, BP, US proxies, fifth analyst call

RI’s round-up of the most important corporate governance and shareholder engagement news.

Rob Lake leaves APG to join UNPRI as strategy chief

APG looking at options for replacement.

RI Briefing, March 30: New York City pension funds in transparency drive

RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news

Government guidance needed to clarify fiduciary responsibility, says FairPensions

Companies Act-style provision recommended for institutional investors

BP faces pressure from world’s biggest investor proxy voting firms ahead of AGM

Influential advisors take oil major to task over remuneration and safety.

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

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

RI Governance & Engagement, March 25: BP to meet with SRI investors

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

UK’s new Green Investment Bank gets asset boost, borrowing powers

Plan to leverage more than €20bn in green infrastructure investment

RI Governance & Engagement, March 18: Renault facing shareholder resolution on CEO pay

RI’s regular review of governance and engagement news

RI Comment: BP’s AGM - where’s Deepwater?

New asset owners worth €23bn back UK Stewardship Code

Number of asset owner supporters has doubled since launch

F&C says boardroom turmoil cost it institutional mandates

“We did miss some business,” says CEO

Shell cuts executive bonus link to Dow Jones Sustainability Index

Decision follows exit from index in 2010

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

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

Proposal to improve pension fund ESG disclosure tabled in UK Parliament

Move could impact Statements of Investment Principles

UK panel sees investors’ role in boosting women on boards

Government review suggests changes to corporate governance code

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

CP3, UK/Asian govt climate fund, issues mandate for asset manager as part of UN $100bn plan: P8/P80

Fund-of-funds house sought for sizeable Asian green infrastructure portfolio.

UK government proposes new social investment “asset class”

Call to pension investors to step up to “Big Society”

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”

New UK government fund seeks responsible ownership advisors and ESG data suppliers

NEST invites tenders from potential suppliers

Activist investor ousts F&C Asset Management chairman and director after bitter EGM fight

Corporate governance and sustainability specialist loses shareholder support for board control.

F&C says Sherborne attack threatens its governance role

Asset manager faces up to activist investor

Clean Investor, January 25: LAPFF issues climate change guide for trustees

RI’s new regular Tuesday review of clean investing news

Shareholders drop resolution on BP’s Gulf oil spill

Investor group favours UK-style engagement at oil major

UK proxy firm Manifest planning to enter US market

Move follows closure of Proxy Governance International

Shareholders take stand on pay at Aberdeen Asset Management

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

UK’s NEST begins search for Sharia-compliant fund manager

New workplace DC fund gets Islamic option

UK Stewardship Code signatories double but hedgies stay away

Wellcome Trust among six new asset owners to back code

UK Environment Agency awards £80m emerging markets mandate

France’s Comgest replaces Scottish Widows for ESG-based portfolio.