Square Mile Investment Consulting and Research has boosted its ESG analysis and research capabilities with the acquisition of Ethical Money and its associated trading entity, 3D Investing.
Founded in 2014 by John Fleetwood, 3D Investing supports IFAs and asset managers in developing portfolios with a high social impact. Its philosophy – ‘doing good, avoiding harm and leading change’ – is used to identify funds that have expertise in impact investing.
The company also has a 3D star rating system, which currently applies to over 270 responsible and sustainable funds, and is used by fund selectors to create model portfolios.
Square Mile was established in 2014 as an investment consulting and research business, which holds ESG credentials in high regard. It rates funds and asset managers based on their sustainable policies and recently contributed to Portfolio Adviser sister title ESG Clarity’s Responsible Ratings Index (RRI).
Square Mile managing director Richard Romer-Lee (pictured) said: “Responsible and impact investing are now a central consideration for growing numbers of advisers and their clients.
“For many, the potential for contributing to a better society and protecting the environment is just as important as a financial gain. However, it is equally important for investors to be able to quantify the impact for good that their investments have. Through 3D Investing, John has built a highly-regarded centre of excellence for assessing this impact.
“Furthermore, the experience he has gathered over a career dedicated to this field is unparalleled and supports our aspiration of being the market-leading specialists in this area. This acquisition was particularly attractive to Square Mile as it enables us to broaden and deepen our research and services we provide our clients.”
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Following the acquisition Ethical Money, Fleetwood will join Square Mile as director of responsible and sustainable investing and will work with the firm’s executive committee to strengthen the independent assessment of the positive impact of a fund’s investments.
He said: “I am delighted to be joining Square Mile, as the additional resource will enable the further development of the 3D Investing ratings and bring our services to a much wider market. Our services are highly complementary and bringing them together will create a market-leader in the responsible and sustainable investing market.”
The 3D Investing brand will be retained to identify research and consulting practices which have a focus on impact assessment.
For more insight on responsible investment, please click on www.esgclarity.com
