Premier Miton Diversified Responsible Growth Fund

SRI Style:

Sustainability Tilt

SDR Labelling:

Unlabelled with sustainable characteristics

Product:

OEIC

Fund Region:

Global

Fund Asset Type:

Multi Asset

Launch Date:

29/01/2018

Last Amended:

Oct 2024

Dialshifter ():

Fund Size:

£36.10m

(as at: 30/04/2024)

Total Screened Themed SRI Assets:

£382.00m

(as at: 31/03/2024)

Total Responsible Ownership Assets:

£3029.00m

(as at: 31/03/2024)

Total Assets Under Management:

£10712.00m

(as at: 31/03/2024)

ISIN:

GB00BF1CVZ13, GB00BF1CW039

Objectives:

The objective of the fund is to achieve capital growth over the long term, being five years or more.

The minimum recommended holding term is at least five years. This does not mean that the fund will achieve the objective over this, or any other, specific time period and there is a risk of loss to the original capital invested.

 The fund’s objective is being updated as part of our SDR review.

Sustainable, Responsible
&/or ESG Overview:

The Premier Miton Diversified Sustainable Growth Fund has specific non-financial objectives, which means Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors and sustainability are incorporated into how the fund is managed. The fund managers will select investments across different asset classes (fixed income, equities, property company shares and alternative investments) with a strong ESG profile and those that are part of long term sustainable growth themes. The fund managers will analyse an investment on a wide range of factors including specific ESG criteria and use that information to ensure it meets the required standards, and monitor the ESG position on an ongoing basis. The fund will not be invested in companies believed to have a negative societal or environmental impact.

 

Primary fund last amended:

Oct 2024

Information directly from fund manager.

Fund Filters

Sustainability - General
Sustainability policy

Funds that have policies that consider (environmental and social) sustainability issues. Strategies vary but are likely to consider environmental issues like climate change, carbon emissions, biodiversity loss, resource management, environmental impacts; and social issues like equal opportunities, human rights, labour standards, diversity and adherence to internationally recognised codes. See fund information.

Sustainability focus

Find funds which substantially focus on sustainability issues

Sustainable transport policy or theme

Find funds that have documented policies or thematic investment approaches relating to investment in more sustainable, greener transport methods. These will typically set out a preference for companies that run, enable or support more sustainable methods of transport. See fund information for further detail.

Encourage more sustainable practices through stewardship

A core element of these funds aim to encourage higher sustainability standards across business practices through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement / voting activity

Report against sustainability objectives

Find funds that publicly report their performance against specifically named sustainability objectives (in addition to reporting their financial performance)

Circular economy theme

Fund has a theme or investment strand focused on the shift to a circular economy (where products are reused and recycled not incinerated or dumped). See eg https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview

Environmental - General
Environmental policy

Funds that have policies which relate to environmental issues. These will typically set out the fund's stance on issues such as pollution, climate change, resource management, biodiversity loss, carbon emissions, plastics and/or additional environmental impacts. Strategies vary. See fund information for further information.

Limits exposure to carbon intensive industries

Funds that limit or 'reduce' their exposure to carbon intensive industries (ie sectors which are major contributors to climate change. Funds vary - some funds may be 'underweight' in this area which means they may have some investment in highly carbon intensive areas. Funds of this kind may choose companies they consider to be 'best in sector' and encourage ever higher standards. Strategies vary. See fund information for further details.

Environmental damage and pollution policy

Funds that have written policies explaining the approach they take when companies damage the environment or are significant polluters. Funds of this kind may work with companies to encourage higher standards, or exclude companies - sometimes dependent on the situation. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Resource efficiency policy or theme

Find funds that have a policy or theme that relates to managing natural resources more efficiently. Funds with this policy will be likely to favour companies that make (or enable the) more efficient use of resources - and either avoid or encourage change amongst companies with lower standards. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Favours cleaner, greener companies

Funds that aim to invest in companies with strong or market leading environmental policies and practices. Strategies vary - in particular the balance between 'financial' aspects and environmental benefits. Some may invest substantially in solutions or 'positive impact' companies - others may invest in more conventional companies providing certain environmental criteria are met. See fund information for further detail.

Waste management policy or theme

Find funds that have a written policy or theme on waste management - typically a view to encouraging higher levels of recycling and better efficiency / reducing waste.

Nature & Biodiversity
Nature / biodiversity based solutions theme

A significant focus on investments that aim to protect, improve and, or restore natural habitat.

Climate Change & Energy
Climate change / greenhouse gas emissions policy

Funds that have policies (documented strategies that explain their position on) climate change related issues such as greenhouse gas/carbon emissions, net zero, transitioning to lower carbon. Strategies vary. Read fund details for further information.

Clean / renewable energy theme or focus

Find funds where investment in clean / renewable energy companies an other assets is central to their investment selection strategy. The proportion of the fund that is directly or indirectly invested in renewable energy varies between funds and over time. See fund information for further details.

Encourage transition to low carbon through stewardship activity

A core element of these funds will aim to encourage the transition to lower carbon activities through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement / voting activity

Energy efficiency theme

Fund funds that have an energy efficiency theme - typically meaning that a fund manager is focused on investing in organisations that manage - or help others to manage - energy use more carefully and less wastefully - and so reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Invests in clean energy / renewables

Funds that hold companies in the clean energy and renewable energy sectors (at the time research was supplied). Fund strategies vary, in particular the proportion of investment in these areas may vary significantly. Check fund literature for details.

TCFD reporting requirement (Becoming IFRS)

Will only invest in companies that report greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategies in line with the framework set out the by the Taskforce for Climate Related Financial Disclosure, which is increasingly becoming mandatory. See https://www.fsb-tcfd.org/ https ://www.ifrs.org/sustainability/tcfd/

Social / Employment
Social policy

Find funds that have policies which set out their approach to social issues (e.g. human rights, labour standards, equal opportunities, child labour and adherence to internationally recognised codes such as the UN Global Compact). Funds with social policies typically avoid companies with low standards or work to encourage higher standards. See fund information for detail.

Labour standards policy

Find funds that have a labour standards policy - which can be expected to mean that the fund will invest in / favour companies that have higher standards in this area - although fund strategies can vary significantly (as with all policy areas). See eg https://www.ilo.org/international-labour-standards

Health & wellbeing policies or theme

Find funds with policies or themes that set out their approach to health and wellbeing issues. Funds of this kind typically aim to invest in companies with high standards - or encourage high standards. Themed funds are likely to have more of an emphasis on this area. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Ethical Values Led Exclusions
Tobacco and related product manufacturers excluded

Companies are excluded if they are involved in any aspect of the production chain for tobacco products, including cigarettes, vaping, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco and cigars.

Tobacco and related products - avoid where revenue > 5%

Companies are excluded if they make more than 5% of their revenue from the manufacture, sale or distribution of tobacco products including cigarettes, vaping, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco and cigars.

Gambling avoidance policy

Find funds that avoid companies with significant involvement in the gambling industry. Some funds may allow a small proportion of profits to come from this area. See fund policy for further details.

Human Rights
Human rights policy

Find funds that have policies relating to human rights issues. Funds of this kind typically require companies to demonstrate higher standards, although some fund managers work to encourage improvements. Investee companies are often judged against internationally agreed norms or standards. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Meeting Peoples' Basic Needs
Responsible food production or agriculture theme

Fund has a responsible food production or agriculture theme or strand of investment. Funds may have a single theme or many themes. See fund information.

Healthcare / medical theme

Healthcare and or medical theme or area of investment - the fund may have a single theme or many themes

Gilts & Sovereigns
Invests in gilts / government bonds

Find funds that invest in loans issued the government, commonly known as gilts or government bonds. These may or may not be ringfenced for specific projects (see additional options). See fund literature for any selection criteria.

Invests in sovereigns subject to screening criteria

Find funds that invest in financial instruments issued by governments, but will only hold those that meet certain environmental and or social criteria. This may, for example mean certain assets are excluded in line with eg Freedom House research. Strategies vary, see fund literature for more information.

Governance & Management
Governance policy

Find fund options that have policies that relate to corporate governance issues such as board structure, executive remuneration, bribery and/or corporate corruption. These funds will typically avoid companies with poor practices. Strategies vary. See fund literature for further information.

Avoids companies with poor governance

Find funds that aim to avoid investing in companies with poor governance practices.(e.g. board structure, management practices etc.) Views may however vary on what counts as 'poor' practices - and funds may not immediately divest as they may prefer to work to encourage higher standards. See fund literature for further information.

Anti-bribery and corruption policy

Find funds that have policies explaining how managers will respond to assets / companies that do not comply with relevant anti-bribery and anti-corruption standards or laws. Strategies vary; options include stewardship/ engagement and divestment - or a combination. See fund literature for further information.

Encourage board diversity e.g. gender

Fund managers encourage the companies they invest in to have more diverse board structures (e.g. more women on boards)

Encourage higher ESG standards through stewardship activity

A core element of these funds will aim to encourage higher ESG standards through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement /voting activity

Fund Governance
ESG integration strategy

Find funds that factor in 'environmental, social and governance' issues as part of their investment decision making process. A focus on 'ESG' typically means a fund is carrying out additional research to help reduce ESG related risks. It does not necessarily mean a focus on sustainability. Strategies vary. See fund literature.

ESG factors included in Assessment of Value (AoV) report

Environmental, social and governance issues are part of this fund’s reporting of their ‘value’ to clients. AoV reporting is a statutory requirement. Including ESG factors in its calculation is not.

Asset Size
Invests in small, mid and large cap companies / assets

Find a fund that invests in a combination of small, medium and larger (potentially multinational)companies.

Targeted Positive Investments
Invests > 5% in sustainable bonds

Invests in loan stock that is exclusively used to finance environmental and social projects. See ICMA Sustainable Bond Guidelines.

Invests > 5% in green bonds

Find funds that invest in green bonds (also known as climate bonds) which encourage sustainability and support climate related or special environmental projects. Please check fund literature for specific % of assets invested in this area.

Impact Methodologies
Invests in sustainability / ESG disruptors

Find funds that specifically set out to invest in companies that are regarded as 'disrupting' existing business practices - typically through the development of innovative (sustainability aware) products and/or practices.

How The Fund Works
Positive selection bias

Find funds that focus on finding and investing in companies with positive / beneficial attributes. This strategy can be applied in addition to exclusion criteria and engagement/stewardship activity.

Negative selection bias

Find funds where their main 'ethical approach' is to avoid companies by using negative screening criteria. Read fund literature for further information.

Assets mapped to SDGs

Find funds that have 'mapped' (reviewed) their investment selection and management strategies to identify which of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the fund is helping to address.

Combines ESG strategy with other SRI criteria

Find funds that have an ESG strategy (which is typically focused on avoiding companies that pose environmental, social or governance related risks) with additional criteria such as positive and/or negative screens, themes and stewardship strategies.

Balances company 'pros and cons' / best in sector

Find funds that consider both the 'positive' and 'negative' aspects of company behaviour and make balanced, considered decisions as part of their investment approach. May apply to a range of different issues and policy areas.

SRI / ESG / Ethical policies explained on website

Find funds that have published explanations of their ethical, social and/or environmental policies online (i.e. fund decision making strategies/ buy/sell &/or asset management strategies).

Converted from ‘non ESG’ strategy

This fund has changed its mandate. It was previously not an ESG/sustainable fund. The information published here shows the upgraded fund strategy.

Do not use stock / securities lending

This fund does not use stock lending for performance or risk purposes.

Unscreened Assets & Cash
Assets typically aligned to sustainability objectives 70 - 79%

The percentage of assets held within the fund that match the fund’s sustainability objectives and are not being held purely for risk management purposes, such as derivatives and cash equivalent assets.

Assets typically aligned to sustainability objectives 80 – 89%

The percentage of assets held within the fund that match the fund’s sustainability objectives and are not being held purely for risk management purposes, such as derivatives and cash equivalent assets.

Assets typically aligned to sustainability objectives > 90%

The percentage of assets held within the fund that match the fund’s sustainability objectives and are not being held purely for risk management purposes, such as derivatives and cash equivalent assets

All assets (except cash) meet published sustainability criteria

All assets held in the fund - except cash - meet the sustainability criteria published in fund documentation.

Intended Clients & Product Options
Intended for investors interested in sustainability

Finds funds designed to meet the needs of individual investors with an interest in sustainability issues.

Available via an ISA (OEIC only)

Find funds that are available via a tax efficient ISA product wrapper.

Fund Management Company Information

About The Business
Responsible ownership / stewardship policy or strategy (AFM company wide)

Finds fund management companies that have a published company wide stewardship, engagement and / or responsible ownership policy or strategy that covers all investments. Stewardship typically involves encouraging higher ESG standards through voting and dialogue.

Vote all* shares at AGMs / EGMs (AFM company wide)

Find fund managers that vote all* the shares they own at Annual General Meetings and Extraordinary General Meetings. A commitment to voting shares is a key indicator of 'responsible share ownership' demonstrating their support for or disagreement with management policy. (*situations can legitimately, occasionally occur where voting proves impossible, but in principle all shares should be voted.)

Responsible ownership policy for non SRI funds (AFM company wide)

Find funds run by fund managers that apply Responsible ownership or 'Stewardship' policies to all or most of their investment assets. This means active involvement (e.g. voting, dialogue) with the companies they invest in across funds (not normally limited to ethical or SRI options.) Read fund literature for further information.

Integrates ESG factors into all / most (AFM) fund research

Find fund management companies that consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues when deciding whether or not to invest in a company for all / almost all of their funds and other assets. This is increasingly seen as part of sound risk management.

In-house diversity improvement programme (AFM company wide)

Finds organisations / fund managers that have an in-house (company wide) diversity improvement programme - meaning that they are working to ensure that within their own businesses they employ people from diverse backgrounds - often typically focused on ethnicity and/or sex.

Diversity, equality & inclusion engagement policy (AFM company wide)

Find fund management companies that encourage the companies they invest in to have strong diversity, race, gender and other equality policies across all assets held, not simply screened or themed SRI/ESG funds. (ie Asset Management company wide).

Invests in newly listed companies (AFM company wide)

This asset management company invests in companies which have recently listed on a stock exchange (which is important as it can help grow new businesses).

Invests in new sustainability linked bond issuances (AFM company wide)

Asset management company has investments in bonds designed to meet sustainability requirements - however these assets may not be 'ringfenced' for this purpose. See fund manager website for details.

Collaborations & Affiliations
PRI signatory

Find fund management companies that have signed up to the UN backed 'Principles of Responsible Investment'.

Investment Association (IA) member

Fund management entity is a member of the Investment Association https://www.theia.org/

Resources
In-house responsible ownership / voting expertise

Find fund management companies that employ people to steer and support fund managers in voting shares at company AGM's and EGMs in ways that are consistent with encouraging higher ESG/sustainability standards.

Employ specialist ESG / SRI / sustainability researchers

Find a fund management company that directly employs specialist ESG/SRI/sustainability researchers or analysts. This allows asset managers to discuss environmental, social and governance risks and opportunities directly with companies.

Use specialist ESG / SRI / sustainability research companies

Find fund management companies that makes use of expert external research companies. This can help deliver specialist expertise and means resources are pooled with other investors.

Accreditations
UK Stewardship Code signatory (AFM company wide)

Find fund managers that are signatories to the FRC UK Stewardship Code, which sets out a framework for constructive investor / investee relations where fund managers are encouraged to behave like responsible, typically longer term 'company owners'.

Engagement Approach
Engaging on climate change issues

Fund manager has stewardship /responsible ownership strategy that is focused on addressing climate change with investee assets.

Engaging with fossil fuel companies on climate change

Asset manager has a stewardship /responsible ownership strategy that involves working with fossil fuel companies on climate change related issues. See fund manager website for details.

Engaging on labour / employment issues

Asset manager has responsible ownership / stewardship strategy in place that aims to improve labour standards for the benefit of employees in investee companies (and potentially their suppliers)

Engaging on diversity, equality and / or inclusion issues

Asset management company has a stewardship strategy in place which involves working to raise diversity, equality and inclusion standards across investee assets

Company Wide Exclusions
Controversial weapons avoidance policy (AFM company wide)

Find fund management companies (not funds) that avoid investment in 'controversial weapons' across all of their funds and other investment vehicles.

Review(ing) carbon / fossil fuel exposure for all funds (AFM company wide)

Find funds / fund managers that are reviewing, or have reviewed, their exposure to carbon intensive industries including (but not only) mining, oil and gas companies. (Typically with reference to climate change.)

Climate & Net Zero Transition
Net Zero commitment (AFM company wide)

Fund management organisations that have pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to ‘net zero’. Strategies vary - this area is changing rapidly.

Voting policy includes net zero targets (AFM company wide)

Fund manager AGM / EGM voting strategy has processes in place that mean they will normally be expected to vote in a way that will encourage the transition to net zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Publish 'CEO owned' Climate Risk policy (AFM company wide)

Find fund management companies that have published a Climate Risk policy or statement that is signed / owned by their Chief Executive.

Net Zero - have set a Net Zero target date (AFM company wide)

This asset management company has set a date by which they plan to achieve net zero greenhouse gas / CO2e emissions.

Encourage carbon / greenhouse gas reduction (AFM company wide)

Find fund management companies that are working with the companies they invest in to encourage reductions in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon offsetting – do NOT offset carbon as part of net zero plan (AFM company wide)

This asset management company plans to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (CO2e) emissions by reducing their emissions. Calculations and scope vary.

In-house carbon / GHG reduction policy (AFM company wide)

Find fund management companies that are working to reduce their own (fund management company) carbon/greenhouse gas emissions.

Transparency
Publish responsible ownership / stewardship report (AFM company wide)

Find fund management companies that publish a report detailing their responsible investment ownership - also known as 'Stewardship' - activity.

Full SRI / responsible ownership policy information on company website

Find companies that publish information about their sustainable and responsible investment strategies on their company website.

Full SRI / responsible ownership policy information available on request

Find fund management companies that will supply information about their sustainable and responsible investment activity on request.

Publish full voting record (AFM company wide)

Fund management companies that publish a full record of how they vote their shares at AGMs (annual general meetings) and EGMs (extraordinary general meetings). Voting strategies have an important role to play encouraging higher environmental, social and governance standards.

Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG Policy:

The fund managers will focus on selecting fixed income, equities, property company shares and alternative investments that are aligned with long term sustainable growth themes:

  •  Financial inclusion; companies that provide the financial services that are essential to achieve sustainable economic development on a global scale
  • Health and wellbeing; companies whose products and services help increase the health and wellbeing of the global population
  • Sustainable infrastructure; companies that are enabling the advancement of society and increasing efficiency through the improvement of physical infrastructure
  • Energy transition; companies whose activities contribute to the transition away from fossil fuels towards affordable and clean energy
  • Food productivity and safety; companies that enhance food standards and increase agricultural productivity, thereby helping to feed the world’s growing population in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner
  • Circular economy; companies that aim to reduce the amount of waste within society, increase levels of recycling and therefore decrease the negative environmental impact that results from the use of virgin materials
  • Economic and social mobility; companies that provide or facilitate quality education, decent employment, entrepreneurship or higher economic productivity which supports sustainable economic development and social mobility to reverse economic and social inequalities
  • Digital development and resilience; companies that are driving innovation in computing which drive improvements for the environment and society in areas such as security of networks and system efficiencies
  • Sustainable cities and communities; companies that help make human settlements safe, resilient and sustainable
  • Biodiversity; companies that facilitate or provide solutions to conserve and restore the world’s natural capital, or the level of plants, animals, fungi, and micro-organism species within an ecosystem

 

At least 90% of the fund’s assets will meet the ESG criteria and be part of the long-term sustainable growth themes. The fund managers will not invest in companies that they believe have a negative societal or environmental impact including those companies:

  • with major tobacco interests
  • with major business in gambling
  • with a major business involvement in coal s
  • that contravene human rights
  • involved in banned weapons

 

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a recognised set of global standards to reference and the fund managers will seek to align the investments in the fund with those standards.

 

In order to construct a diversified portfolio of investments, the alignment of some asset classes with the SDGs may be less clear and a different approach will be taken to assess their suitability;

  • Government bonds: a country’s approach to factors including democracy, civil liberties, corruption and climate change will be assessed
  • Alternative investments: aimed at diversifying the portfolio and to be lowly correlated to bonds and equities.
  • Derivatives: which may be used for the purposes of efficient portfolio management including hedging.
  •  Hedge fund managers: factors such as being a signatory to the United Nations supported Principles for Responsible Investing would be expected to be in place.
  • Investment trusts: factors such as having the London Stock Exchange’s Green Economy Mark would be expected to be in place.

 

Up to 10% of the fund’s assets (excluding deposits, cash or near cash) may be in investments that do not meet the ESG criteria or are not part of the long term sustainable growth themes. If a company has ceased to meet the necessary standard, the fund managers would engage with the management to discuss a route to meet the criteria within a reasonable timeframe. If this engagement did not result in the investment regaining the necessary standard, it would ultimately be sold. Similarly, an investment may be made in anticipation of it meeting the required criteria within a period of 9 months. The investment would be sold if the criteria were not met.

 

 

 

 

 

Process:

The fund will focus on investments with a strong ESG profile and those that it believes offer longer term sustainable growth themes as listed above. Investments across a wide range of industrial sectors can have businesses that drive or benefit from these themes.

 

The fund managers analyse investments on a wide range of criteria including specific ESG and sustainability factors which may evolve over time. The factors could include corporate governance (including; female representation on boards, remuneration structure, efficacy of auditors, disclosures), management (including; tenure, capability, clarity of strategy and policies), sustainability of business (including; barriers to entry, risks to assets, regulatory risk, innovation), contribution to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (including; revenues aligned to the goals, negative impacts), environmental and social impact of business (including; carbon emissions, resource usage and intensity, supply chain management, business ethics). A number of sources of information are employed in assessing these factors. These include; meetings with company management, proprietary analysis (including company report and accounts and other reports and disclosures), third party analysis (including from Ethical Screening, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and other specialist research providers). The fund managers monitor the profitability and financial strength of each investment alongside the ESG and sustainability factors.

Resources, Affiliations & Corporate Strategies:

In-House Resources

Premier Miton’s Head of Responsible Investing is part of the investment team and brings significant experience and skills to further enhance our responsible investing approach and to ensure that we are well positioned to manage current and prospective clients’ money in a world that is increasingly focusing on sustainability. Responsible investing activities are directed by Premier Miton’s Chief Investment Officer with implementation led by our Head of Responsible Investing supported by an RI analyst alongside the investment team. Oversight of activities, as well as reviewing the related policies, is provided by Premier Miton’s investment and product governance structures.

 An internal Responsible Investing Oversight Committee (RIOC) monitors the responsible investing process to support our strategic objectives and comply with responsibilities to various stakeholders, including but not limited to, regulators and clients. This includes overseeing the integration of ESG factors in investment decision making, implementation of stewardship activities, publication of disclosures as well as adherence to relevant rules and regulations. A subcommittee of the RIOC considers the characteristics, eligibility and appropriateness of holdings in responsible and sustainable funds or any other holdings across the group where specific ESG criteria are required. This subcommittee is charged with identifying stewardship and responsible investing related matters to fund managers and can determine escalation activities including undertaking further analysis, engaging with company management, voting or the sale a position in extreme circumstances and if considered appropriate.

 This fund has a Committee of Reference, comprising of independent, experienced individuals from a range of backgrounds. Alongside Premier Miton, the committee is responsible for reviewing and amending, where necessary, the responsible investing and ESG criteria, themes and exclusions.

External Resources

We subscribe to a number of independent providers of ESG data and research including Ethical Screening, ISS ESG, ISS Governance Research & Voting, Morningstar Sustainalytics, Integrum ESG, Net Purpose, Impact Cubed, CDP global environmental disclosure system, Transition Pathway Initiative, Bloomberg and Integrum ESG.

Memberships and Affiliations

 Premier Miton is a signatory to or participant in a number of stewardship and responsible investing related initiatives and industry bodies:

  •  PRI - We became a signatory to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investing in January 2020 and completed our second assessment on our responsible investing activities in 2023 using the process of completing the assessment as an annual review of responsible investing activities. We were rated 4 out of a possible 5 stars for the headline ‘Policy Governance and Strategy’ section which is an improvement from 3 stars received previously. At an asset class level, we scored 4 out of 5 stars in the ‘Direct Investing - Listed Equity’ and ‘Direct Investing - Fixed Income’ sections.
  • Net Zero Asset Managers (NZAM) initiative - We support the transition to a net-zero carbon economy having become a signatory to the NZAM in 2022. Our net zero strategy was approved by the board of Premier Miton Group plc in 2023.
  • Investor Forum - In 2022 Premier Miton became a member of the Investor Forum, a formalised group of institutional investors that facilitate collective engagement on material issues with listed UK companies. The aim is to position stewardship at the heart of the investment decision-making process by facilitating dialogue and creating long term solutions that help build trust between companies and their shareholders. As members, we will be strengthened in our ability to engage with and influence investee companies on environmental, social and governance matters.
  • Climate Action 100+ - In December 2021 Premier Miton joined Climate Action 100+, a global investor-led initiative to ensure the world’s largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters take necessary action on climate change. As signatories, our aim is to mitigate investment exposure to climate related risks and help secure ongoing sustainable returns for investors through collaborative engagement activities that hold select companies to account on their disclosure and climate related commitments.
  • Carbon Disclosure Programme (CDP) - In 2020 we participated for the first time in CDP by submitting a climate change disclosure for Premier Miton Group plc. The aim of this work is to set an internal benchmark for climate risk management and to highlight areas where we need to improve. For our fourth year of completion in 2023 we maintained our score of ‘B.’ This is above the ‘C’ global average and in line with the ‘B‘ average for financial services companies.
  • Votes Against Slavery - Modern slavery is a pervasive risk to business, supply chains, society and our economy. Rathbones convened the ‘Votes Against Slavery’ collaborative initiative to coordinate the response of the investment community and help provide the necessary accountability for and compliance to the UK Modern Slavery Act. Over 20 investment firms representing £3.2 trillion have since joined this initiative and collectively challenge FTSE350 companies that have failed to meet their requirements. We have worked with this collaborative initiative since 2021 to engage with relevant companies held in our portfolios.
  • UK Stewardship Code - We are also delighted that our last application to the Financial Reporting Council has been accepted and we subsequently remained a signatory to the UK Stewardship Code in 2023.
  • Investment Association – We support the work of the Investment Association, participating in a number of committees and working groups, including the Sustainable and Responsible Investment Committee and attending the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation Implementation Forum, Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Implementation Forum and inputting into other groups as required.
  • Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) - We joined the IIGCC in February 2023 to support our activities associated with the Net Zero strategy, including corporate engagement and public policy engagement.

SDR Labelling:

Unlabelled with sustainable characteristics

Disclaimer

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided as at the date of submission, we regret that we cannot accept responsibility for any omissions or errors.

Fund Name SRI Style SDR Labelling Product Region Asset Type Launch Date Last Amended

Premier Miton Diversified Responsible Growth Fund

Sustainability Tilt Unlabelled with sustainable characteristics OEIC Global Multi Asset 29/01/2018 Oct 2024

Objectives

The objective of the fund is to achieve capital growth over the long term, being five years or more.

The minimum recommended holding term is at least five years. This does not mean that the fund will achieve the objective over this, or any other, specific time period and there is a risk of loss to the original capital invested.

 The fund’s objective is being updated as part of our SDR review.

Fund Size: £36.10m

(as at: 30/04/2024)

Total Screened Themed SRI Assets: £382.00m

(as at: 31/03/2024)

Total Responsible Ownership Assets: £3029.00m

(as at: 31/03/2024)

Total Assets Under Management: £10712.00m

(as at: 31/03/2024)

ISIN: GB00BF1CVZ13, GB00BF1CW039

Contact Us: contactus@premiermiton.com

Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG Overview

The Premier Miton Diversified Sustainable Growth Fund has specific non-financial objectives, which means Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors and sustainability are incorporated into how the fund is managed. The fund managers will select investments across different asset classes (fixed income, equities, property company shares and alternative investments) with a strong ESG profile and those that are part of long term sustainable growth themes. The fund managers will analyse an investment on a wide range of factors including specific ESG criteria and use that information to ensure it meets the required standards, and monitor the ESG position on an ongoing basis. The fund will not be invested in companies believed to have a negative societal or environmental impact.

 

Primary fund last amended: Oct 2024

Information received directly from Fund Manager

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Fund Filters

Sustainability - General
Sustainability policy

Funds that have policies that consider (environmental and social) sustainability issues. Strategies vary but are likely to consider environmental issues like climate change, carbon emissions, biodiversity loss, resource management, environmental impacts; and social issues like equal opportunities, human rights, labour standards, diversity and adherence to internationally recognised codes. See fund information.

Sustainability focus

Find funds which substantially focus on sustainability issues

Sustainable transport policy or theme

Find funds that have documented policies or thematic investment approaches relating to investment in more sustainable, greener transport methods. These will typically set out a preference for companies that run, enable or support more sustainable methods of transport. See fund information for further detail.

Encourage more sustainable practices through stewardship

A core element of these funds aim to encourage higher sustainability standards across business practices through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement / voting activity

Report against sustainability objectives

Find funds that publicly report their performance against specifically named sustainability objectives (in addition to reporting their financial performance)

Circular economy theme

Fund has a theme or investment strand focused on the shift to a circular economy (where products are reused and recycled not incinerated or dumped). See eg https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview

Environmental - General
Environmental policy

Funds that have policies which relate to environmental issues. These will typically set out the fund's stance on issues such as pollution, climate change, resource management, biodiversity loss, carbon emissions, plastics and/or additional environmental impacts. Strategies vary. See fund information for further information.

Limits exposure to carbon intensive industries

Funds that limit or 'reduce' their exposure to carbon intensive industries (ie sectors which are major contributors to climate change. Funds vary - some funds may be 'underweight' in this area which means they may have some investment in highly carbon intensive areas. Funds of this kind may choose companies they consider to be 'best in sector' and encourage ever higher standards. Strategies vary. See fund information for further details.

Environmental damage and pollution policy

Funds that have written policies explaining the approach they take when companies damage the environment or are significant polluters. Funds of this kind may work with companies to encourage higher standards, or exclude companies - sometimes dependent on the situation. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Resource efficiency policy or theme

Find funds that have a policy or theme that relates to managing natural resources more efficiently. Funds with this policy will be likely to favour companies that make (or enable the) more efficient use of resources - and either avoid or encourage change amongst companies with lower standards. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Favours cleaner, greener companies

Funds that aim to invest in companies with strong or market leading environmental policies and practices. Strategies vary - in particular the balance between 'financial' aspects and environmental benefits. Some may invest substantially in solutions or 'positive impact' companies - others may invest in more conventional companies providing certain environmental criteria are met. See fund information for further detail.

Waste management policy or theme

Find funds that have a written policy or theme on waste management - typically a view to encouraging higher levels of recycling and better efficiency / reducing waste.

Nature & Biodiversity
Nature / biodiversity based solutions theme

A significant focus on investments that aim to protect, improve and, or restore natural habitat.

Climate Change & Energy
Climate change / greenhouse gas emissions policy

Funds that have policies (documented strategies that explain their position on) climate change related issues such as greenhouse gas/carbon emissions, net zero, transitioning to lower carbon. Strategies vary. Read fund details for further information.

Clean / renewable energy theme or focus

Find funds where investment in clean / renewable energy companies an other assets is central to their investment selection strategy. The proportion of the fund that is directly or indirectly invested in renewable energy varies between funds and over time. See fund information for further details.

Encourage transition to low carbon through stewardship activity

A core element of these funds will aim to encourage the transition to lower carbon activities through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement / voting activity

Energy efficiency theme

Fund funds that have an energy efficiency theme - typically meaning that a fund manager is focused on investing in organisations that manage - or help others to manage - energy use more carefully and less wastefully - and so reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Invests in clean energy / renewables

Funds that hold companies in the clean energy and renewable energy sectors (at the time research was supplied). Fund strategies vary, in particular the proportion of investment in these areas may vary significantly. Check fund literature for details.

TCFD reporting requirement (Becoming IFRS)

Will only invest in companies that report greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategies in line with the framework set out the by the Taskforce for Climate Related Financial Disclosure, which is increasingly becoming mandatory. See https://www.fsb-tcfd.org/ https ://www.ifrs.org/sustainability/tcfd/

Social / Employment
Social policy

Find funds that have policies which set out their approach to social issues (e.g. human rights, labour standards, equal opportunities, child labour and adherence to internationally recognised codes such as the UN Global Compact). Funds with social policies typically avoid companies with low standards or work to encourage higher standards. See fund information for detail.

Labour standards policy

Find funds that have a labour standards policy - which can be expected to mean that the fund will invest in / favour companies that have higher standards in this area - although fund strategies can vary significantly (as with all policy areas). See eg https://www.ilo.org/international-labour-standards

Health & wellbeing policies or theme

Find funds with policies or themes that set out their approach to health and wellbeing issues. Funds of this kind typically aim to invest in companies with high standards - or encourage high standards. Themed funds are likely to have more of an emphasis on this area. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Ethical Values Led Exclusions
Tobacco and related product manufacturers excluded

Companies are excluded if they are involved in any aspect of the production chain for tobacco products, including cigarettes, vaping, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco and cigars.

Tobacco and related products - avoid where revenue > 5%

Companies are excluded if they make more than 5% of their revenue from the manufacture, sale or distribution of tobacco products including cigarettes, vaping, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco and cigars.

Gambling avoidance policy

Find funds that avoid companies with significant involvement in the gambling industry. Some funds may allow a small proportion of profits to come from this area. See fund policy for further details.

Human Rights
Human rights policy

Find funds that have policies relating to human rights issues. Funds of this kind typically require companies to demonstrate higher standards, although some fund managers work to encourage improvements. Investee companies are often judged against internationally agreed norms or standards. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.

Meeting Peoples' Basic Needs
Responsible food production or agriculture theme

Fund has a responsible food production or agriculture theme or strand of investment. Funds may have a single theme or many themes. See fund information.

Healthcare / medical theme

Healthcare and or medical theme or area of investment - the fund may have a single theme or many themes

Gilts & Sovereigns
Invests in gilts / government bonds

Find funds that invest in loans issued the government, commonly known as gilts or government bonds. These may or may not be ringfenced for specific projects (see additional options). See fund literature for any selection criteria.

Invests in sovereigns subject to screening criteria

Find funds that invest in financial instruments issued by governments, but will only hold those that meet certain environmental and or social criteria. This may, for example mean certain assets are excluded in line with eg Freedom House research. Strategies vary, see fund literature for more information.

Governance & Management
Governance policy

Find fund options that have policies that relate to corporate governance issues such as board structure, executive remuneration, bribery and/or corporate corruption. These funds will typically avoid companies with poor practices. Strategies vary. See fund literature for further information.

Avoids companies with poor governance

Find funds that aim to avoid investing in companies with poor governance practices.(e.g. board structure, management practices etc.) Views may however vary on what counts as 'poor' practices - and funds may not immediately divest as they may prefer to work to encourage higher standards. See fund literature for further information.

Anti-bribery and corruption policy

Find funds that have policies explaining how managers will respond to assets / companies that do not comply with relevant anti-bribery and anti-corruption standards or laws. Strategies vary; options include stewardship/ engagement and divestment - or a combination. See fund literature for further information.

Encourage board diversity e.g. gender

Fund managers encourage the companies they invest in to have more diverse board structures (e.g. more women on boards)

Encourage higher ESG standards through stewardship activity

A core element of these funds will aim to encourage higher ESG standards through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement /voting activity

Fund Governance
ESG integration strategy

Find funds that factor in 'environmental, social and governance' issues as part of their investment decision making process. A focus on 'ESG' typically means a fund is carrying out additional research to help reduce ESG related risks. It does not necessarily mean a focus on sustainability. Strategies vary. See fund literature.

ESG factors included in Assessment of Value (AoV) report

Environmental, social and governance issues are part of this fund’s reporting of their ‘value’ to clients. AoV reporting is a statutory requirement. Including ESG factors in its calculation is not.

Asset Size
Invests in small, mid and large cap companies / assets

Find a fund that invests in a combination of small, medium and larger (potentially multinational)companies.

Targeted Positive Investments
Invests > 5% in sustainable bonds

Invests in loan stock that is exclusively used to finance environmental and social projects. See ICMA Sustainable Bond Guidelines.

Invests > 5% in green bonds

Find funds that invest in green bonds (also known as climate bonds) which encourage sustainability and support climate related or special environmental projects. Please check fund literature for specific % of assets invested in this area.

Impact Methodologies
Invests in sustainability / ESG disruptors

Find funds that specifically set out to invest in companies that are regarded as 'disrupting' existing business practices - typically through the development of innovative (sustainability aware) products and/or practices.

How The Fund Works
Positive selection bias

Find funds that focus on finding and investing in companies with positive / beneficial attributes. This strategy can be applied in addition to exclusion criteria and engagement/stewardship activity.

Negative selection bias

Find funds where their main 'ethical approach' is to avoid companies by using negative screening criteria. Read fund literature for further information.

Assets mapped to SDGs

Find funds that have 'mapped' (reviewed) their investment selection and management strategies to identify which of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the fund is helping to address.

Combines ESG strategy with other SRI criteria

Find funds that have an ESG strategy (which is typically focused on avoiding companies that pose environmental, social or governance related risks) with additional criteria such as positive and/or negative screens, themes and stewardship strategies.

Balances company 'pros and cons' / best in sector

Find funds that consider both the 'positive' and 'negative' aspects of company behaviour and make balanced, considered decisions as part of their investment approach. May apply to a range of different issues and policy areas.

SRI / ESG / Ethical policies explained on website

Find funds that have published explanations of their ethical, social and/or environmental policies online (i.e. fund decision making strategies/ buy/sell &/or asset management strategies).

Converted from ‘non ESG’ strategy

This fund has changed its mandate. It was previously not an ESG/sustainable fund. The information published here shows the upgraded fund strategy.

Do not use stock / securities lending

This fund does not use stock lending for performance or risk purposes.

Unscreened Assets & Cash
Assets typically aligned to sustainability objectives 70 - 79%

The percentage of assets held within the fund that match the fund’s sustainability objectives and are not being held purely for risk management purposes, such as derivatives and cash equivalent assets.

Assets typically aligned to sustainability objectives 80 – 89%

The percentage of assets held within the fund that match the fund’s sustainability objectives and are not being held purely for risk management purposes, such as derivatives and cash equivalent assets.

Assets typically aligned to sustainability objectives > 90%

The percentage of assets held within the fund that match the fund’s sustainability objectives and are not being held purely for risk management purposes, such as derivatives and cash equivalent assets

All assets (except cash) meet published sustainability criteria

All assets held in the fund - except cash - meet the sustainability criteria published in fund documentation.

Intended Clients & Product Options
Intended for investors interested in sustainability

Finds funds designed to meet the needs of individual investors with an interest in sustainability issues.

Available via an ISA (OEIC only)

Find funds that are available via a tax efficient ISA product wrapper.

Fund Management Company Information

About The Business
Responsible ownership / stewardship policy or strategy (AFM company wide)

Finds fund management companies that have a published company wide stewardship, engagement and / or responsible ownership policy or strategy that covers all investments. Stewardship typically involves encouraging higher ESG standards through voting and dialogue.

Vote all* shares at AGMs / EGMs (AFM company wide)

Find fund managers that vote all* the shares they own at Annual General Meetings and Extraordinary General Meetings. A commitment to voting shares is a key indicator of 'responsible share ownership' demonstrating their support for or disagreement with management policy. (*situations can legitimately, occasionally occur where voting proves impossible, but in principle all shares should be voted.)

Responsible ownership policy for non SRI funds (AFM company wide)

Find funds run by fund managers that apply Responsible ownership or 'Stewardship' policies to all or most of their investment assets. This means active involvement (e.g. voting, dialogue) with the companies they invest in across funds (not normally limited to ethical or SRI options.) Read fund literature for further information.

Integrates ESG factors into all / most (AFM) fund research

Find fund management companies that consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues when deciding whether or not to invest in a company for all / almost all of their funds and other assets. This is increasingly seen as part of sound risk management.

In-house diversity improvement programme (AFM company wide)

Finds organisations / fund managers that have an in-house (company wide) diversity improvement programme - meaning that they are working to ensure that within their own businesses they employ people from diverse backgrounds - often typically focused on ethnicity and/or sex.

Diversity, equality & inclusion engagement policy (AFM company wide)

Find fund management companies that encourage the companies they invest in to have strong diversity, race, gender and other equality policies across all assets held, not simply screened or themed SRI/ESG funds. (ie Asset Management company wide).

Invests in newly listed companies (AFM company wide)

This asset management company invests in companies which have recently listed on a stock exchange (which is important as it can help grow new businesses).

Invests in new sustainability linked bond issuances (AFM company wide)

Asset management company has investments in bonds designed to meet sustainability requirements - however these assets may not be 'ringfenced' for this purpose. See fund manager website for details.

Collaborations & Affiliations
PRI signatory

Find fund management companies that have signed up to the UN backed 'Principles of Responsible Investment'.

Investment Association (IA) member

Fund management entity is a member of the Investment Association https://www.theia.org/

Resources
In-house responsible ownership / voting expertise

Find fund management companies that employ people to steer and support fund managers in voting shares at company AGM's and EGMs in ways that are consistent with encouraging higher ESG/sustainability standards.

Employ specialist ESG / SRI / sustainability researchers

Find a fund management company that directly employs specialist ESG/SRI/sustainability researchers or analysts. This allows asset managers to discuss environmental, social and governance risks and opportunities directly with companies.

Use specialist ESG / SRI / sustainability research companies

Find fund management companies that makes use of expert external research companies. This can help deliver specialist expertise and means resources are pooled with other investors.

Accreditations
UK Stewardship Code signatory (AFM company wide)

Find fund managers that are signatories to the FRC UK Stewardship Code, which sets out a framework for constructive investor / investee relations where fund managers are encouraged to behave like responsible, typically longer term 'company owners'.

Engagement Approach
Engaging on climate change issues

Fund manager has stewardship /responsible ownership strategy that is focused on addressing climate change with investee assets.

Engaging with fossil fuel companies on climate change

Asset manager has a stewardship /responsible ownership strategy that involves working with fossil fuel companies on climate change related issues. See fund manager website for details.

Engaging on labour / employment issues

Asset manager has responsible ownership / stewardship strategy in place that aims to improve labour standards for the benefit of employees in investee companies (and potentially their suppliers)

Engaging on diversity, equality and / or inclusion issues

Asset management company has a stewardship strategy in place which involves working to raise diversity, equality and inclusion standards across investee assets

Company Wide Exclusions
Controversial weapons avoidance policy (AFM company wide)

Find fund management companies (not funds) that avoid investment in 'controversial weapons' across all of their funds and other investment vehicles.

Review(ing) carbon / fossil fuel exposure for all funds (AFM company wide)

Find funds / fund managers that are reviewing, or have reviewed, their exposure to carbon intensive industries including (but not only) mining, oil and gas companies. (Typically with reference to climate change.)

Climate & Net Zero Transition
Net Zero commitment (AFM company wide)

Fund management organisations that have pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to ‘net zero’. Strategies vary - this area is changing rapidly.

Voting policy includes net zero targets (AFM company wide)

Fund manager AGM / EGM voting strategy has processes in place that mean they will normally be expected to vote in a way that will encourage the transition to net zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Publish 'CEO owned' Climate Risk policy (AFM company wide)

Find fund management companies that have published a Climate Risk policy or statement that is signed / owned by their Chief Executive.

Net Zero - have set a Net Zero target date (AFM company wide)

This asset management company has set a date by which they plan to achieve net zero greenhouse gas / CO2e emissions.

Encourage carbon / greenhouse gas reduction (AFM company wide)

Find fund management companies that are working with the companies they invest in to encourage reductions in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon offsetting – do NOT offset carbon as part of net zero plan (AFM company wide)

This asset management company plans to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (CO2e) emissions by reducing their emissions. Calculations and scope vary.

In-house carbon / GHG reduction policy (AFM company wide)

Find fund management companies that are working to reduce their own (fund management company) carbon/greenhouse gas emissions.

Transparency
Publish responsible ownership / stewardship report (AFM company wide)

Find fund management companies that publish a report detailing their responsible investment ownership - also known as 'Stewardship' - activity.

Full SRI / responsible ownership policy information on company website

Find companies that publish information about their sustainable and responsible investment strategies on their company website.

Full SRI / responsible ownership policy information available on request

Find fund management companies that will supply information about their sustainable and responsible investment activity on request.

Publish full voting record (AFM company wide)

Fund management companies that publish a full record of how they vote their shares at AGMs (annual general meetings) and EGMs (extraordinary general meetings). Voting strategies have an important role to play encouraging higher environmental, social and governance standards.

Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG Policy:

The fund managers will focus on selecting fixed income, equities, property company shares and alternative investments that are aligned with long term sustainable growth themes:

  •  Financial inclusion; companies that provide the financial services that are essential to achieve sustainable economic development on a global scale
  • Health and wellbeing; companies whose products and services help increase the health and wellbeing of the global population
  • Sustainable infrastructure; companies that are enabling the advancement of society and increasing efficiency through the improvement of physical infrastructure
  • Energy transition; companies whose activities contribute to the transition away from fossil fuels towards affordable and clean energy
  • Food productivity and safety; companies that enhance food standards and increase agricultural productivity, thereby helping to feed the world’s growing population in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner
  • Circular economy; companies that aim to reduce the amount of waste within society, increase levels of recycling and therefore decrease the negative environmental impact that results from the use of virgin materials
  • Economic and social mobility; companies that provide or facilitate quality education, decent employment, entrepreneurship or higher economic productivity which supports sustainable economic development and social mobility to reverse economic and social inequalities
  • Digital development and resilience; companies that are driving innovation in computing which drive improvements for the environment and society in areas such as security of networks and system efficiencies
  • Sustainable cities and communities; companies that help make human settlements safe, resilient and sustainable
  • Biodiversity; companies that facilitate or provide solutions to conserve and restore the world’s natural capital, or the level of plants, animals, fungi, and micro-organism species within an ecosystem

 

At least 90% of the fund’s assets will meet the ESG criteria and be part of the long-term sustainable growth themes. The fund managers will not invest in companies that they believe have a negative societal or environmental impact including those companies:

  • with major tobacco interests
  • with major business in gambling
  • with a major business involvement in coal s
  • that contravene human rights
  • involved in banned weapons

 

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a recognised set of global standards to reference and the fund managers will seek to align the investments in the fund with those standards.

 

In order to construct a diversified portfolio of investments, the alignment of some asset classes with the SDGs may be less clear and a different approach will be taken to assess their suitability;

  • Government bonds: a country’s approach to factors including democracy, civil liberties, corruption and climate change will be assessed
  • Alternative investments: aimed at diversifying the portfolio and to be lowly correlated to bonds and equities.
  • Derivatives: which may be used for the purposes of efficient portfolio management including hedging.
  •  Hedge fund managers: factors such as being a signatory to the United Nations supported Principles for Responsible Investing would be expected to be in place.
  • Investment trusts: factors such as having the London Stock Exchange’s Green Economy Mark would be expected to be in place.

 

Up to 10% of the fund’s assets (excluding deposits, cash or near cash) may be in investments that do not meet the ESG criteria or are not part of the long term sustainable growth themes. If a company has ceased to meet the necessary standard, the fund managers would engage with the management to discuss a route to meet the criteria within a reasonable timeframe. If this engagement did not result in the investment regaining the necessary standard, it would ultimately be sold. Similarly, an investment may be made in anticipation of it meeting the required criteria within a period of 9 months. The investment would be sold if the criteria were not met.

 

 

 

 

 

Process:

The fund will focus on investments with a strong ESG profile and those that it believes offer longer term sustainable growth themes as listed above. Investments across a wide range of industrial sectors can have businesses that drive or benefit from these themes.

 

The fund managers analyse investments on a wide range of criteria including specific ESG and sustainability factors which may evolve over time. The factors could include corporate governance (including; female representation on boards, remuneration structure, efficacy of auditors, disclosures), management (including; tenure, capability, clarity of strategy and policies), sustainability of business (including; barriers to entry, risks to assets, regulatory risk, innovation), contribution to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (including; revenues aligned to the goals, negative impacts), environmental and social impact of business (including; carbon emissions, resource usage and intensity, supply chain management, business ethics). A number of sources of information are employed in assessing these factors. These include; meetings with company management, proprietary analysis (including company report and accounts and other reports and disclosures), third party analysis (including from Ethical Screening, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and other specialist research providers). The fund managers monitor the profitability and financial strength of each investment alongside the ESG and sustainability factors.

Resources, Affiliations & Corporate Strategies:

In-House Resources

Premier Miton’s Head of Responsible Investing is part of the investment team and brings significant experience and skills to further enhance our responsible investing approach and to ensure that we are well positioned to manage current and prospective clients’ money in a world that is increasingly focusing on sustainability. Responsible investing activities are directed by Premier Miton’s Chief Investment Officer with implementation led by our Head of Responsible Investing supported by an RI analyst alongside the investment team. Oversight of activities, as well as reviewing the related policies, is provided by Premier Miton’s investment and product governance structures.

 An internal Responsible Investing Oversight Committee (RIOC) monitors the responsible investing process to support our strategic objectives and comply with responsibilities to various stakeholders, including but not limited to, regulators and clients. This includes overseeing the integration of ESG factors in investment decision making, implementation of stewardship activities, publication of disclosures as well as adherence to relevant rules and regulations. A subcommittee of the RIOC considers the characteristics, eligibility and appropriateness of holdings in responsible and sustainable funds or any other holdings across the group where specific ESG criteria are required. This subcommittee is charged with identifying stewardship and responsible investing related matters to fund managers and can determine escalation activities including undertaking further analysis, engaging with company management, voting or the sale a position in extreme circumstances and if considered appropriate.

 This fund has a Committee of Reference, comprising of independent, experienced individuals from a range of backgrounds. Alongside Premier Miton, the committee is responsible for reviewing and amending, where necessary, the responsible investing and ESG criteria, themes and exclusions.

External Resources

We subscribe to a number of independent providers of ESG data and research including Ethical Screening, ISS ESG, ISS Governance Research & Voting, Morningstar Sustainalytics, Integrum ESG, Net Purpose, Impact Cubed, CDP global environmental disclosure system, Transition Pathway Initiative, Bloomberg and Integrum ESG.

Memberships and Affiliations

 Premier Miton is a signatory to or participant in a number of stewardship and responsible investing related initiatives and industry bodies:

  •  PRI - We became a signatory to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investing in January 2020 and completed our second assessment on our responsible investing activities in 2023 using the process of completing the assessment as an annual review of responsible investing activities. We were rated 4 out of a possible 5 stars for the headline ‘Policy Governance and Strategy’ section which is an improvement from 3 stars received previously. At an asset class level, we scored 4 out of 5 stars in the ‘Direct Investing - Listed Equity’ and ‘Direct Investing - Fixed Income’ sections.
  • Net Zero Asset Managers (NZAM) initiative - We support the transition to a net-zero carbon economy having become a signatory to the NZAM in 2022. Our net zero strategy was approved by the board of Premier Miton Group plc in 2023.
  • Investor Forum - In 2022 Premier Miton became a member of the Investor Forum, a formalised group of institutional investors that facilitate collective engagement on material issues with listed UK companies. The aim is to position stewardship at the heart of the investment decision-making process by facilitating dialogue and creating long term solutions that help build trust between companies and their shareholders. As members, we will be strengthened in our ability to engage with and influence investee companies on environmental, social and governance matters.
  • Climate Action 100+ - In December 2021 Premier Miton joined Climate Action 100+, a global investor-led initiative to ensure the world’s largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters take necessary action on climate change. As signatories, our aim is to mitigate investment exposure to climate related risks and help secure ongoing sustainable returns for investors through collaborative engagement activities that hold select companies to account on their disclosure and climate related commitments.
  • Carbon Disclosure Programme (CDP) - In 2020 we participated for the first time in CDP by submitting a climate change disclosure for Premier Miton Group plc. The aim of this work is to set an internal benchmark for climate risk management and to highlight areas where we need to improve. For our fourth year of completion in 2023 we maintained our score of ‘B.’ This is above the ‘C’ global average and in line with the ‘B‘ average for financial services companies.
  • Votes Against Slavery - Modern slavery is a pervasive risk to business, supply chains, society and our economy. Rathbones convened the ‘Votes Against Slavery’ collaborative initiative to coordinate the response of the investment community and help provide the necessary accountability for and compliance to the UK Modern Slavery Act. Over 20 investment firms representing £3.2 trillion have since joined this initiative and collectively challenge FTSE350 companies that have failed to meet their requirements. We have worked with this collaborative initiative since 2021 to engage with relevant companies held in our portfolios.
  • UK Stewardship Code - We are also delighted that our last application to the Financial Reporting Council has been accepted and we subsequently remained a signatory to the UK Stewardship Code in 2023.
  • Investment Association – We support the work of the Investment Association, participating in a number of committees and working groups, including the Sustainable and Responsible Investment Committee and attending the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation Implementation Forum, Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Implementation Forum and inputting into other groups as required.
  • Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) - We joined the IIGCC in February 2023 to support our activities associated with the Net Zero strategy, including corporate engagement and public policy engagement.

SDR Labelling:

Unlabelled with sustainable characteristics

Disclaimer

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided as at the date of submission, we regret that we cannot accept responsibility for any omissions or errors.