The wealth manager announced today it has entered an exclusive arrangement with ethical data provider IdealRatings to screen its ALPHA: r2 range of portfolios.
Through IdealRatings, ALPHA: r2 will focus on companies with good ESG scores, particularly those with strong corporate governance. The portfolios will have the ability to screen companies for Sharia compliance and those which comply with the UN Global Compact.
Gary Waite, portfolio manager at Walker Crips Investment Management, said: “The long-term benefits of strong corporate governance are matched by today’s clients’ increasing interest in ESG principles.
“Evidence suggests that companies with a record of strong corporate governance outperform over the long term. This principle will be at the core of our investment process, along with a bias towards companies which are committed to sustainability and positive environmental change.”
Good Money Week, which began today, has seen a growing demand for ethical portfolios from investors.
Waite added: “Advisers tell us that when they speak to their clients about investing, there is a growing willingness among their Generation X and Millennial clients to contribute to a more sustainable world for future generations – while also achieving attractive long-term returns.
“By working together with the global leader in ESG data provision to integrate ESG fully into our core investment process, we believe we will vastly improve our capacity to deliver sustainable alpha for clients.”
ALPHA: r2 is IdealRatings’ first client in the UK retail market.
Mohamed Donia, chief executive of IdealRatings, said: “IdealRatings is delighted to be partnering with ALPHA: r2 on its ethical investment initiative. We have been providing data, analysis and screening services for 10 years now.
“We firmly believe that the future of investment is best served by initiatives such as Walker Crips’ ALPHA: r2, where top quality investment management is combined with rigorous and detailed screening of companies for these criteria.”
Walker Crips also announced ALPHA:r2 has become a member of the UK Sustainable and Finance Association (UKSIF).
