Columbia Threadneedle Investments Launches Ethical UK Equity Fund

Columbia Threadneedle Investments launched the Threadneedle Ethical UK Equity Fund on 30 October 2015. The Fund is managed by Matt Evans, UK Equity fund manager and adds to Columbia Threadneedle’s offering in ethical and sustainable investing, as demand continues to grow for responsible investment solutions.

The actively managed Fund aims to achieve a total return from capital growth and income by investing in stocks which meet the ethical criteria of the fund.  Stock selection has two key components; firstly, screening to avoid companies that are involved in business activities such as alcohol, tobacco, weapons. Secondly, the fund actively targets companies that have a strong approach to environmental, social and corporate governance factors as well as those that show potential to deliver innovative solutions to achieving sustainable outcomes.

Matt Evans is supported by Columbia Threadneedle Investments’ award winning responsible investment team of four. This team will assist Matt with Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) analysis of stocks. Matt will also utilise the research and stock ideas of Columbia Threadneedle’s 12-strong UK equities team.

Earlier this year Columbia Threadneedle was named the number one leading UK asset manager for Responsible Investment Performance in ShareAction’s 2015 Survey. It was also awarded the Excellence Award for Social Responsible Investment (SRI) by Global Investor in 2014.

Matt Evans, manager of the Threadneedle Ethical UK Equity Fund, said: “It is our belief that companies that operate in an ethical way are more likely to generate sustainable returns over time. There is also a huge investment opportunity in those companies who can deliver solutions to the world’s sustainability challenges. Columbia Threadneedle has a strong track record in UK equities and Responsible Investment and this fund brings those skills together to offer clients a leading ethical UK equity strategy.“

The fund launched with £22.7m following the transition of investors from the Teachers Sovereign Ethical Fund, following the transfer of the Teachers Assurance unit trust business to Columbia Threadneedle in Q4 2015.

Campbell Fleming, Chief Executive Officer, EMEA, said: “We are proud to be launching this ethical fund which adds to our ESG solutions offering.  It follows the Threadneedle UK Social Bond Fund which we launched early last year. Columbia Threadneedle is committed to our role as a responsible investor and active owner, building on a belief that well-governed companies are both better positioned to manage the risks and challenges inherent in business and better placed to capture opportunities to realise sustainable returns for our clients.”

In January 2014, Columbia Threadneedle Investments launched the Threadneedle UK Social Bond Fund (a 3D Investing 5-Star Fund).  A transparent and liquid vehicle which also aims to generate a return in line with a UK corporate bond index, it was the first fund of its kind to bring social investment to mainstream UK investors.

Nothing in this article constitutes a recommendation to buy or sell any investment of any kind. Any investment-related queries should be directed to a fully qualified financial adviser.