Financial advisers targeted for National Ethical Investment Week

With National Ethical Investment Week (NEIW) only six days away, financial advisers across the country are being urged to view the event as an opportunity to explore green and ethical funds with their clients.

The UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF), which runs the event, last week published the 2012 Action Guide for Financial Advisers. Inside is ethical investment news, facts and figures on green and ethics funds and helpful resources to explore the sector further.

This is on top of ideas about what kind of ethical investment events financial advisers could host during NEIW.

“We have been managing ethical funds for 25 years and throughout that time have been focused on providing ethical fund solutions for the adviser community”, said Sue Round at Ecclesiastical, an investment management organisation that sponsors the guide.

“With the Retail Distribution Review (RDR) changes coming in to effect, Ecclesiastical Investment Management is committed to continuing its role as a leader in the ethical investment market, through the delivery of funds with a strong long term track record, a principled approach to fund management and ongoing support of the adviser community.”

An article by the Investors Chronicle recently claimed that under the RDR, a new financial advice regime, advisers across the UK will be “preparing to dump their unprofitable clients“ when it comes into effect in January.

Julian Parrott, partner at Ethical Futures, explained on B&GT the implications of the changes to ethical investors, while Lee Smythe of Smythe & Walter Chartered Financial Planners also shared his views on the modifications.

The Action Guide for Financial Advisers released by NEIW comes after a similar guide was published in July, but which this time targeted churches and religious groups.

The principles and morals behind ethical investment chime notoriously well with religion, so UKSIF sees these groups as key in spreading the message of green and ethical funds – though the appeal of this kind of investment obviously stretches way beyond those practicing faith.

“As the RDR deadline approaches it becomes ever more important for advisers to be adding value to the services they offer their clients”, added Penny Shepherd, UKSIF chief executive, who will be speaking exclusively to B&GT during NEIW.

“Clients may have a range of motivations in considering green and ethical investment, including purely financial ones, but whatever these are, it is vital that advisers are equipped to meet their individual clients’ requirements and provide a modern, holistic advice service.”

NEIW takes place from October 14-20. B&GT will be bringing you daily updates of all the goings-on during the week, as well as feature interviews with some of the ethical investment space’s biggest names.

Further reading:

National Ethical Investment Week 2012: one month countdown

National Ethical Investment Week calls on religious groups to take action