30 January 2012
Man Group plc is pleased to announce that it has become a signatory to the United Nations-backed Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). The PRI is a framework designed to encourage sustainable investing by incorporating environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues into investment decision-making and ownership practices. Globally, there are 984 signatories, with 124 of these in the UK. Man is the largest UK-based alternative asset manager to become a signatory.
“This step is a signal of Man’s continued commitment to responsible investing. As a leading alternative asset manager, we hope that by signing up to the UN PRI we will encourage others in our industry to follow our lead.”
“Investing sustainably enhances long-term value and reduces risk which is clearly good for all concerned: investment managers, their clients, society and the environment. GLG's efforts predate today's formal partnership with UN PRI: addressing the UN General Assembly in 2008 on sustainable investing, implementing technology to enable portfolio managers to make more informed investment decisions using ESG and launching a specific Global Sustainability Fund, aimed at reconciling sustainability and economic returns. We are pleased to be able to commit to widening these efforts by signing up to the PRI.”
“Man’s support recognises our commitment to help advance the UN PRI agenda, and attests to the positive effects that normative, international frameworks like the PRI bring to the investment community. It also marks the next step in a process that began with our legacy in environmental funds, expanded into broader global sustainability themes and is driving our current work developing the application of sustainability across alternative strategies.”
• By investing in technology and training to enable investment managers to take ESG factors into account and encourage listed companies to improve on ESG criteria
• By running the GLG Global Sustainability Strategy and managing the Virgin Climate Change Fund, both UCITS long-only strategies.
• By running an effective Corporate Responsibility programme, as judged by inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index
• By being a signatory to the Carbon Disclosure Project and a member of the FTSE4Good
• By support for independent academic teaching and research at the Oxford Man Institute.
• By supporting charities and local communities through the Man Charitable Trust, as well as sponsorship of the Man Booker literary prizes.
1. We will incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes.
2. We will be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices.
3. We will seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest.
4. We will promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry.
5. We will work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles.
6. We will each report on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles.
For more information on UNPRI go to www.unpri.org/faqs/