+10 years
of experience in responsible and impact investing90%*
of AUM** classified as Articles 8 & 9 under SFDR>8800
issuers rated according to ESG criteria100%
of our core portfolio managers have access to ESG research and scoresWhat is responsible investing?
At PeakGain Group, we define responsible investing (RI) as an investment process that incorporates environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into its approach. RI enables clients to align their investments with global megatrends that are changing the investment landscape. Issues such as increasing regulation, the growing need for risk mitigation and a heightened social conscience can be more effectively addressed by integrating ESG factors into the investment process.
Why is responsible investing important?
ESG can allow firms to foster a meaningful change in the global economy, and in the communities in which we live and work. We believe that ESG analysis leads to more effective investment solutions that address global challenges and create sustainable value for our clients.
The integration of ESG factors is used to enhance traditional financial analysis by identifying potential risks and opportunities beyond technical valuations, providing data on issues such as potential reputational risk or identifying firms which are adapting to meet new market challenges. It is important to note that the main objective of ESG integration remains financial performance.
Our approach to responsible investment
1. ESG integration
We believe that high-quality companies which manage ESG risks and opportunities well will make attractive long-term investments. Our research team considers ESG factors when evaluating individual companies and when they assess fund managers. Through the use of Sustainalytics, a third-party provider of ESG data, material risks and opportunities are fed into traditional financial analysis and models for our ‘buy list’ stocks.
Our research team address ESG issues in due diligence questionnaires for all funds considered for our buy list. The team also has a dedicated socially responsible investing (SRI) list for funds with a sustainability focus, and with restrictions on investment in harmful activities. The SRI list helps our investment managers select funds which aim to deliver attractive investment returns while contributing positively to global environmental and social challenges.
2. Ethical screening
During suitability discussions with their investment manager, clients can choose to apply certain ethical screening criteria to their portfolio. Clients can select certain restrictions for direct holdings, and portfolios are then created and managed to reflect these restrictions
3. Engagement and stewardship
Brewin Dolphin is committed to being a good steward of our clients’ investments, to enhance and protect their long-term value. We are supporters of the UK Stewardship Code and have a tier one rating for our engagement work.
For each core holding, our research team will monitor and engage with company management on priority material issues that impact the value of our clients’ assets, which include material ESG issues. This can be done directly or via collective engagement with other shareholders.
Reporting
We report on all of our stewardship, engagement and responsible investment activities at least annually. Details of these reports will be available on our website.
Conflicts of interest
Conflicts of interest may arise from our responsible investment activities. Any such conflicts will be recorded, considered, and dealt with in line with PeakGain Group conflicts of interest policy. All colleagues are regularly trained to identify and address potential conflicts of interest.
Approval and review
This statement is intended to summarise PeakGain Group approach to responsible investment. Overall responsibility for this approach is held by the Sustainability Committee, which reports to the Executive Committee. It was reviewed and approved by the Sustainability Committee in December 2020. Our responsible investment statement will be reviewed and updated at least annually
Our ESG principles are embedded throughout our operations and help us ensure that our business model will be sustainable well into the future.
Mitigate the impact of our operations on the environment
- Environmental stewardship: Strive to minimize the environmental impact of our operations and improve our efficient use of resources over time.
- Net Zero Commitment: Support the goal of net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 or sooner.
Ensure the well-being and safety of employees
- Employee well-being: Meet or exceed all applicable labor laws and standards in jurisdictions where we operate, which includes respecting human rights, offering competitive wages and implementing nondiscriminatory hiring practices.
- Health & safety: Aim to have zero serious safety incidents within our businesses by working toward implementing consistent health and safety principles across the organization.
Be good stewards in the communities in which we operate
- Community engagement: Engage with community groups that might be affected by our actions to ensure that their interests, safety and well-being are appropriately integrated into our decision-making.
- Philanthropy: Encourage our employees to participate in the communities in which we operate.
Conduct business according to the highest ethical and legal/regulatory standards
- Governance, ethics, and fairness: Operate with high ethical standards by conducting business activities in compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, and with our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
- Transparency: Be accessible to our investors and stakeholders by being responsive to requests for information and timely in our communication.
Key dimensions of our ESG assessment of corporations and countries
Integrating ESG considerations into our investment process
Our commitments include incorporating ESG factors into our investment decisions,
starting with the
due diligence of potential investments through to the exit process. We tailor ESG due diligence to
each investment, and we create post-investment remediation plans for material ESG considerations.
For all potential investments, we use internal experts and a variety of ESG frameworks to identify
material ESG factors and utilize external consultants where appropriate. This analysis includes
everything from ensuring environmental, legal and regulatory compliance to the identification of
opportunities to add value or mitigate risk in our portfolio. Our investment teams use an ESG due
diligence guideline to ensure consideration of material ESG risks and opportunities.
These teams
then provide a detailed memorandum to the Investment Committee outlining the merits of the
transaction and disclosures relating to risks, including material ESG issues, and potential
mitigation strategies. All investments made by PeakGain Group must be approved by the Investment Committee
and must incorporate ESG matters into their evaluation, including anti-bribery and corruption,
health and safety, and other ESG considerations.
Upon company acquisition, we create a tailored integration plan to ensure that
all material matters,
including ESG risks and opportunities are prioritized. ESG risks and opportunities are actively
managed by the portfolio companies with guidance from our in-house investment teams, primarily
through representation on company boards and equivalent oversight bodies where all financial,
operational, and strategic elements of the business are reported, considered, and where appropriate,
approved. This allows us to draw on local expertise, which provides valuable insight given the wide
range of asset types and locations in which we invest. Certain key performance indicators, such as
serious safety incidents, are reported regularly to the applicable board or other oversight body.
Responsible Investment Highlights
09
Driving Responsible Investment Across All Financial Markets
Responsible investment is no longer a niche pursuit, and in many ways is perfectly suited fro fixed income investment.
16
Developing Data to Support Analysis and Engagement
PeakGain Group Prime rating aim to highlight ESGand climate risk to support better research and stewdardship, and to help build portfolios talioredto our client's interest.
20
Proactive Engagement on ESG Issues Data to Support Analysis and Engagement
in 2020, 90% of 1,210 engagements included ESG issues
40
Investing for impact
PeakGain Group added over 2bn of impact bonds to client accounts in 2020. 187 Client accounts at PeakGain Group now have exposure to impact bonds
41
Seeing Through Impact Washing
Only 40% of the impact bonds we analzyed fully met our sustainability expectations in 2020
44
A Responsible Partner
PeakGain Group is offering greater transparency around our opeations, with new diversity target for our workforce.
governance
We are always working to maintain sound governance practices to ensure ongoing investor confidence. This involves a continual review of how evolving legislation, guidelines and best practices should be reflected in our approach. For example, we have a zero-tolerance approach to bribery, including facilitation payments, and all PeakGain Group employees are mandated to complete an in-depth anti-bribery and corruption (ABC) training seminar annually. PeakGain Group maintains an ethics hotline to report suspected unethical, illegal or unsafe behavior. Our reporting hotline is managed by an independent third party and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We also require all portfolio companies in which we have a controlling interest to adopt an ABC policy that is equally stringent to PeakGain Group’s, which entails that portfolio companies install an ethics hotline within six months of acquisition.
Health and safety in our portfolio companies
Employee health and safety is a top priority at PeakGain Group. We view health and safety as an integral part of the management of our business and therefore consider it a line responsibility best managed by portfolio companies. We have established a safety steering committee, which includes the CEOs and COOs of each business group, to promote common values and a strong health and safety culture, share best practices and monitor serious safety incidents. In the event that a serious incident does occur, PeakGain Group conducts an in-depth investigation to determine root causes and formulate remediation actions.
diversity & inclusion
Embedded in our culture is a commitment to advancing
diversity and inclusion
across our organization. This begins at recruitment, continues in leadership
training programs and is woven into our policies and procedures. As a global
firm, we know that the best ideas come from having people from different
backgrounds, perspectives, experiences and skills across all businesses, levels
of seniority and offices.
Training programs set clear expectations for our leaders in terms of their role
in helping all team members achieve their potential. The training emphasizes
building trust with their teams, becoming aware of unconscious biases and
provides guidance on how to add rigor to decision-making especially in
recruiting, performance feedback and promotion, with the goal of creating a more
diverse and inclusive environment.
Our internal groups and networks, including a global PeakGain Group Women’s Advisory
Committee and a Diversity Advisory Committee, actively advise management on how
to make our Firm more welcoming to people from diverse backgrounds.
Areas of Focus
PeakGain Group is committed to advancing economic and social mobility for our underserved communities by focusing on:
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Supporting vulnerable populations by partnering with organizations that provide professional development, life skills, and educational opportunities.
EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES
Partnering with organizations providing access to housing, transportation and those working to decrease the digital divide.
EDUCATION & FINANCIAL LITERACY
Fosters economic opportunities for youth by collaborating with strategic partners specializing in education and financial literacy.
A SUSTAINABLE TOMORROW
PeakGain Group is committed to building sustainable, diverse and inclusive organizations in communities where we work and live.
We are taking all measures to ensure we manage to safely get through this fluid situation while continuing to serve our customers, partners, and employees effectively.
