Most Influential SRI & Corporate Governance Analysts Globally: IRRI 2015

MSCI ESG Research sweeps major categories in investor poll | CDP tops climate-change categories | Unilever, Nordea and CalPERS win categories for companies, asset managers and asset owners

WeConvene Extel and www.SRI‐CONNECT.com today announced the results of the Independent Research in Responsible Investment (IRRI) Survey 2015; the most authoritative global survey evaluating how asset managers rate the services of independent providers of sustainable and responsible investment (SRI) & corporate governance (CG) research.

“Alongside the headline awards, IRRI has generated a wealth of data that will help quoted companies engage more effectively with this growing segment of capital markets”, said Steve Kelly, Managing Director of WeConvene Extel. “The SRI & corporate governance dimension is here to stay and is growing fast; The communications best practices that IRRI has identified should enable companies to benefit from the rise of engaged, responsible, long‐term investors.”

Award winner from the major categories were:

For SRI

• Best SRI analysis (firm): MSCI ESG Research

o    Runners‐up: Sustainalytics & CDP

• Best SRI analysts (individual): James Magness (CDP) & Gustavo Pimentel (Sitawi)

o    Runner‐up: Greg Elders (Bloomberg)

• Best Salesperson for SRI research: Daniel Sailer (MSCI ESG Research)

o    Runners‐up: Catalina Secreteanu (Sustainalytics) & Vipul Arora (Solaron)

For Corporate Governance

• Best Corporate Governance analysis (firm): MSCI ESG Research

o    Runners‐up: ISS & Sustainalytics

• Best Corporate Governance analyst (individual): Adam Ward (MSCI ESG Research)

o    Runners‐up: Alan Brett (MSCI ESG Research) & Loic Dessaint (Proxinvest)

• Best Salesperson for Corporate Governance research: Daniel Sailer (MSCI ESG Research)

o    Runners‐up: Vipul Arora (Solaron) & Cornelia Bedford (MSCI ESG Research)

Amongst Companies

• Best company for SRI: Unilever

o    Runners up: Novo Nordisk, Intel & Repsol

About Asset Managers And Owners

• Asset Owner contribution to sustainable investment: CalPERS (USA)

o    Runners‐up: PFZW (Netherlands) & ERAFP (France)

• Asset Manager contribution to sustainable investment: Nordea (Sweden)

o    Runners‐up: Amundi (France) & BMO Global Asset Management (UK)

Insights & Innovation

• Best analysts (nominated by companies): Cedric Laverie (Amundi), Hardik Shah (Sustainalytics), Robbert Gerritsen (ISS), Orith Azoulay (Natixis) & Yannick Ouaknine (Societe Generale)
• Best research: CDP Sector Reports including Flicking the Switch and No Room for Passengers

o    Runner‐up: CarbonTracker: Carbon Supply Cost Curves

Other Category Winners

• Best for engagement services: GES Invest
• Best for news: Bloomberg
• Best for voting execution: ISS

The Dynamics Of SRI Research And Communications

Alongside the rankings, IRRI explores the dynamics of SRI & corporate governance research and the communications practices of companies. Highlights of this research includes:

• 47% of asset owners explicitly mandate asset managers to integrate sustainability and corporate governance factors into investment
• 68% of asset managers see direct contact with companies on sustainability and corporate governance issues as important or very important to their investment research process
• Investor relations managers are taking control of the SRI and corporate governance (47% vs 30% last year).
• Strong demand from all sides (companies, investors and analysts) for closer linkage in between sustainability and financial information in reporting and analysis

Survey Details

The survey ran through October and received responses from 1,287 voters from 681 different firms in 35 different countries. It asked for quantitative and qualitative responses from asset managers globally on how they rate the SRI research published by independent providers, as well as from the research providers themselves on how well quoted companies communicate their sustainability performance to investment analysts and on how asset managers communicate their research needs.

“The IRRI results show the depth, variety and innovation available in SRI & corporate governance research markets.” added Mike Tyrrell, Editor of www.SRI‐CONNECT.com. “Investment research markets worldwide are under scrutiny with asset managers encouraged to find the best insights and also focus on research costs. It is, therefore, encouraging to see that SRI & corporate governance research have the strength, depth and openness to respond to both needs.”

A report with findings from the survey is available on www.extelsurveys.com.