Go to this archive online at: http://www.responsible-investor.com/home/archive/category/united_kingdom/
United Kingdom
Growing investor support for coalition on shale gas link to methane emissions
Growing backing for Scottish Widows’ initiative
Renewable energy covered bonds proposed to tap €2.5trn market
Potential new channel for private sector low-carbon investment
RI ESG Briefing, May 22: Pfizer, Potash removed from sustainability index
The round-up of environmental, social and governance news
RI People & Appointments, May 21: UN PRI seeks Head of Research & Public Policy
ESG movers and shakers
RI ESG Briefing, May 17: CalPERS seeks support at Nabors AGM
The round-up of environmental. social and governance news
RI People & Appointments, May 9: APG seeking Governance & Sustainability Specialist
ESG movers and shakers
Aviva CEO Moss steps down after shareholder pay revolt
New interim chief aims to “regain the respect” of shareholders
Responsible Funds, May 4: New Sparinvest ethical emerging markets fund
The round-up of responsible funds news
RI ESG Briefing, May 3: Aviva loses non-binding remuneration vote
The round-up of environmental, social and governance news
RI ESG Briefing, May 2: Christian Brothers on Parliament’s Murdoch verdict
The round-up of environmental, social and governance news
RI ESG Briefing, May 1: New York City funds to vote against Wal-Mart directors
The round-up of environmental, social and governance news
RI People & Appointments, April 30: Canadian funds hire BP exec for forestry role
ESG movers and shakers
Pension-backed water fund in breach of London exchange listing rules
Possible change to “premium” London listing
RI ESG Briefing, April 27: Strathclyde fund hires GES for “two-way” engagement
The round-up of environmental, social and governance news
RI ESG Briefing, April 26: UK eyes renewable energy trading
The round-up of environmental, social and governance news
Tessa Tennant wins Joan Bavaria Award for Building Sustainability into the Capital Markets
Award presentation kicks off Ceres conference in Boston.
RI ESG Briefing, April 25: Ex-BP CEO Browne calls for extractives transparency
The round-up of environmental, social and governance news
RI ESG Briefing, April 24: New intergovernmental biodiversity body established
The round-up of ESG news
RI People & Appointments, April 23: South Africa investment chief joins Global Compact board
ESG movers and shakers
Responsible Funds, April 20: responsAbility fund backs Central American co-ops
The round-up of responsible funds news
RI ESG Briefing, April 19: New Canadian board diversity database launched
The round-up of ESG news
UK pension fund group says banks could be breaching law by overstating assets
Risks identified over IFRS accounting standard.
RI ESG Briefing, April 18: Shell invites SRI investors to visit Nigeria operations
The round-up of ESG news
RI ESG Briefing, April 13: Generation IM backs waste-to-energy firm’s financing
The round-up of ESG news
BP AGM: almost 12% of votes go against remuneration report
Oil major facing investors almost two years after Deepwater Horizon
RI ESG Briefing, April 10: French state fund issues responsible investment charter
The daily round-up of ESG news
RI People & Appointments, April 10: responsible investors on new SEC panel
ESG movers and shakers
Responsible Funds, April 5: SAM celebrates five years of Healthy Living and Climate funds
The round-up of responsible funds news
UK pension fund eyes agriculture, timber in long-term fiduciary mandate
Potential 10-year contract with supplier
Scottish Widows building coalition to tackle methane emissions
Says US environmental watchdog keen to work with investors
RI ESG Briefing: Allianz takes renewables investment to €1.3bn with wind farm deals
The daily round-up of environmental, social and governance news
UK government seeks fund managers for non-domestic energy efficiency infrastructure
Focus is likely to be debt funding, says green investments team
UK government puts off decision on corporate emissions reporting
Carbon Disclosure Project: “surprised and disappointed”
Institutional investor-backed Royal Bank of Scotland legal action goes forward
Action group delivers claim against bank and directors
RI Governance, March 15: New York City funds in director nomination push at two firms
RI’s regular round-up of governance and engagement news
Leading investment consultant calls for better ESG mandates
Owners need to show leadership, says respected industry figure
RI Briefing, March 14: Dutch bank signs up as UN PRI goes past 1,000 signatories
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
UK starts six-week consultation on final binding shareholder pay vote laws
Final review to examine impact, costs and benefits.
Shareholders and campaigners call for legal clarity on fiduciary responsibility
Mis-interpretation leads to erroneous focus on short-term returns
NAPF Conference Report: reconciling short-termism and stewardship
The tension between long-term aspirations and short-term pressures
Pension fund-backed ‘long-term/sustainable’ model mandate set for formal launch
International Corporate Governance Network project
Denmark’s ATP says new UK DC arm to have responsible investment at core
Interview with Chair and CEO at Now:Pensions
RI Briefing, March 7: Global CEOs commit to Women’s Empowerment Principles
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
Environment, February 28: New carbon indices launched for Australia, Europe and Japan
RI’s regular review of environmental investing news
Investors await Kay Review into long-term decisions making and markets
Fiduciary duty a possible area of focus
Investors step up annual board vote threat on 30% female exec representation
World’s largest fund manager among new 30% Club signatories
Responsible Funds, February 24: New manager at LGT sustainable global equity fund
The round-up of ESG funds news
RI Governance, February 23: South African state investor takes stand on exec pay
RI’s regular review of governance and engagement developments
RI Briefing, February 22: Global Investor Survey on Climate Change
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
UK county council pension fund awards €71.5m timberland mandate
Fund puts 2% of assets into timberland
Study looks at pay, headcount and gender balance at SRI firms
Survey from recruitment firm
Investor support grows for CDP-backed corporate ‘Carbon Action’ initiative
$10trn of assets now back call for energy cost cutting
RI People & Appointments, February 20: SNS names Active Ownership Specialist
ESG movers and shakers
RI Governance, February 16: Co-operative AM presents case study of Murdoch engagement
RI’s regular round-up of governance news
Environment, February 14: Pension–backed low carbon VC fund to liquidate portfolio
Key news in environmental investing
RI People & Appointments, Feb. 13: New investment chief at Australian Ethical
The round-up of ESG movers and shakers
Major pension fund-backed offshore wind farm set for official launch
Walney project shows role of institutional investors
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
RI Governance, Feb. 2: MSCI’s governance earnings slip in fourth quarter
RI’s regular review of governance developments
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
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
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!
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
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
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
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.
RI Briefing, November 23: Deutsche reviews asset management business
RI’s regular round-up of responsible investing news
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.
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
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
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
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
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”
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
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.
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.
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.
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”
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.