Sarasin Global Dividend Fund
SRI Style:
Sustainability Tilt
SDR Labelling:
Unlabelled - promotes sustainable characteristics (has CFD)
Product:
OEIC
Fund Region:
Global
Fund Asset Type:
Equity Income
Launch Date:
05/12/2013
Last Amended:
Jul 2025
Dialshifter (
):
Fund/Portfolio Size:
£256.51m
(as at: 30/04/2025)
Total Screened Themed SRI Assets:
£1116.90m
(as at: 30/04/2025)
Total Assets Under Management:
£17192.00m
(as at: 31/03/2025)
ISIN:
GB00BGDF8F44, GB00BGDF8D20, GB00BLB2ND58, GB00BLB2N022
Contact Us:
Objectives:
The Fund seeks to provide growth (through increases in investment value) over a rolling five-year period through investment in the shares of companies from around the world, and to achieve an income at least 15% higher than the MSCI All Countries World Index.
Sustainable, Responsible
&/or ESG Overview:
We believe that long term investment requires a ‘stewardship’ mindset and a clear interest in the way each company is managed. Companies that foster a healthy and productive workforce, adopt a careful attitude to the environment and societal issues, and put their shareholders’ long-term interests first will tend to deliver enduring value. Our research and portfolio management teams, therefore, integrate ESG factors into investment decision making.
Core beliefs that underpin our investment and stewardship activities include:
- Long term investment horizon
- Responsible companies tend to create more durable economic value
- Engaged ownership
- Performance goes beyond beating a benchmark; and
- Pragmatism
We understand that the world is complex. Standards, rules and expectations vary between countries and communities and the potential for unintended consequences is high. Our core investment principles guide our approach to investment and stewardship but we avoid hard and fast rules in implementation.
Primary fund last amended:
Jul 2025
Information directly from fund manager.
Fund Filters
Sustainability - General
Has 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 individual entry information.
Aim to encourage higher sustainability standards through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement / voting activity
Environmental - General
Has policies which relate to environmental issues. These will typically set out their stance on issues such as pollution, climate change, resource management, biodiversity loss, carbon emissions, plastics and/or additional environmental impacts. Strategies vary.
Climate Change & Energy
Has 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.
Encourage the transition to lower carbon activities through asset selection and / or responsible ownership activity.
Social / Employment
Has policies which set out their approach to social issues (e.g. human rights, labour standards, equal opportunities, child labour and/or adherence to internationally recognised codes such as the UN Global Compact). Strategies with social policies typically avoid companies with low standards and/or work to encourage higher standards. See fund information for detail.
Has a labour standards policy - likely to mean they will invest in / favour companies that have higher employment related standards and avoid those with low standards. Strategies vary. See eg https://www.ilo.org/international-labour-standards
Aims to invest in assets with high social values - this may include strong human rights, labour standards and equal opportunities or safety related practices.
Has policies or themes that set out their approach to health and wellbeing issues, typically aims to invest in companies with high standards - or encourage high standards.
Ethical Values Led Exclusions
Has policies that set out their position on ethical or 'personal values' based issues. Strategies vary.
Excludes companies which make controversial weapons such as landmines, cluster munitions and chemical weapons.
Does Not exclude manufacturers of products intended for use in armaments and weapons. So may invest in them
Does Not exclude companies with military contracts - this may include medical supplies, food, safety equipment, housing, technology etc.
Human Rights
Has policies relating to human rights issues. Typically require companies to demonstrate higher standards, although some managers work to encourage improvements. Investee companies are often judged against internationally agreed norms or standards. Strategies vary.
Has policies or a theme that relates to the responsible management of supply chains. These may relate to employment issues, notably people employed by their suppliers, as well as the sourcing of materials and products.
Meeting Peoples' Basic Needs
Have policies or themes that set out the position on investment in the water sector and/or sanitation. Strategies vary.
Has a thematic investment approach focusing on the ‘silver economy’ - in particular (typically) the issues and opportunities presented by changing demographics. This could include finance, healthcare and medicines and/ or longevity science to extend lifespans. Strategies vary.
Healthcare and or medical theme or area of investment - may have a single or many themes
Banking & Financials
Can include banks as part of their holdings / portfolio.
May invest in insurance companies.
Governance & Management
Has 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.
Avoids 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.
Exclude companies that are subject to United Nations sanctions. See eg https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/content/un-sc-consolidated-list
Has 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.
Has policies explaining how the managers take into account digital/cyber security related risks. Cyber policies will typically favour companies with higher standards or that are helping to solve problems - but strategies vary.
Encourage the companies they invest in to have more diverse board structures (e.g. more women on boards)
Encourage the banks and insurance companies they invest in to publish climate change related financial information - as set out by the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures (with the aim of helping investors measure and respond to climate risk).
Aim to encourage higher ESG standards through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement /voting activity
Product / Service Governance
Find fund / asset managers 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.
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 more than half of their money into what are commonly regarded as 'large companies'. This will typically mean that the market capitalisation (or value) of the companies they hold is in excess of £5 to £10 billion.
Invests in a combination of small, medium and larger (potentially multinational) companies / assets.
Impact Methodologies
Has policies that aim to help or support the delivery of positive social or environmental impacts (or societal/real world outcomes) by investing in companies they regard as beneficial to people and / or the planet. Strategies vary.
Specifically sets out to help deliver positive environmental impacts, benefits or 'real world' outcomes.
Aims to deliver positive environmental and or social impacts (real world benefits) through its engagement with investee assets
How The Fund/Portfolio Works
Focuses on finding and investing in companies with positive / beneficial attributes. This strategy can be applied in addition to exclusion criteria and engagement/stewardship activity.
Has principle 'ethical approach' to avoid companies by using negative screening criteria. Strategies vary.
Invests in assets which have an ESG strategy (which is typically focused on avoiding companies that pose environmental, social or governance related risks) together with additional criteria such as positive and/or negative screens, themes and stewardship strategies.
Considers both the 'positive' and 'negative' aspects of company behaviour and makes balanced, considered decisions as part of their investment approach. May apply to a range of different issues and policy areas.
Publish explanations of their ethical, social and/or environmental policies online (i.e. investment decision making strategies/ buy/sell &/or asset management strategies).
Does not use stock lending for performance or risk purposes.
Unscreened Assets & Cash
Only invests in cash to aid the practical management (buying and selling) of assets and so do not use additional financial instruments.
Intended Clients & Product Options
Designed to meet the needs of individual investors with an interest in sustainability issues.
Designed for clients who care about ethical and values-based issues, often alongside sustainability issues also.
Designed to meet the needs of individual investors with an interest in ‘Impact investment’ which help or support the delivery of positive social or environmental impacts (or societal/real world outcomes) by investing in companies regarded as beneficial to people and / or the planet. Strategies vary.
Available via a tax efficient ISA product wrapper.
Only applicable for DFM’s & portfolio providers. Find service providers who offer bespoke ('personalised') SRI / ESG portfolio options
Fund Management Company Information
About The Business
Find fund / asset management companies that are smaller or specialise in particular areas - notably, ideally ESG related. Strategies vary.
Finds fund / asset 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.
Find fund / asset management companies that actively encourage higher 'environmental, social and governance' and / or 'sustainable and responsible investment' practices across investee companies - typically where the aim is to encourage positive change that is aligned with the best interests of investors. Strategies vary. See additional information and options.
Find fund / asset managers that consider responsible ownership and ESG to be a key differentiator for their business.
Find options run by 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 across all or most funds, products and services.
Find fund / asset 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.
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.
Find fund / asset 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).
Collaborations & Affiliations
Find fund / asset management companies that have signed up to the UN backed 'Principles of Responsible Investment'.
Find fund / asset management companies that have partnered with Fund EcoMarket - meaning that they are helping to improve access to information on sustainable and responsible investment by paying an annual fee to us which enables us to publish information for free. Partner funds are listed ahead of other funds and have their logos displayed.
Fund management entity is a member of the Investment Association https://www.theia.org/
Resources
Find fund / asset 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.
Find a fund / asset 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.
Find fund / asset management companies that makes use of expert external research companies. This can help deliver specialist expertise and means resources are pooled with other investors.
Finds organisations / fund managers that have one or more ESG/sustainability experts on all investment teams or 'desks' (all asset types)
Accreditations
Finds organisations / fund managers that have an A+ PRI rating - meaning they are highly rated according to the 'Principles of Responsible Investment'
Find fund / asset managers that are signatories to the FRC UK Stewardship Code, which sets out a framework for constructive investor / investee relations where managers are encouraged to behave like responsible, typically longer term 'company owners'.
Engagement Approach
Find fund / asset management companies that regularly initiate or run industry wide (collaborative) investor projects aimed at raising environmental, social and governance standards amongst investee companies.
Find fund / asset management companies that are working with the companies they invest in to encourage more responsible corporate taxation.
Fund / asset manager has stewardship /responsible ownership strategy that is focused on addressing climate change with investee assets.
Fund / asset manager has stewardship /responsible ownership strategy with involves encouraging investee asset to reduce plastic waste and pollution.
Fund / asset manager has a stewardship / responsible ownership policy that means they are working to encourage more responsible mining practices - where environmental and social issues are properly dealt with by the companies they invest in.
The fund / asset manager has a responsible ownership / stewardship strategy that focuses on biodiversity and nature issues relating to the assets they invest the aim of which will be to reduce harm and or deliver improvement. Strategies vary. https://tnfd.global
Fund / asset manager has a responsible ownership / stewardship strategy which means they are working to encourage the shift to more sustainable business practices in ways that respect and are sensitive to social issues and the impact change has on people effected by the changes that are taking place. https://www.transitionpathwayinitiative.org/ https://transitiontaskforce.net/
Fund / asset manager has responsible ownership / stewardship strategy in place which aims to address human rights issues in investee companies (and potentially their suppliers) with the aim of raising standards
Fund / 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)
Fund / asset management company has a stewardship strategy in place which involves working to raise diversity, equality and inclusion standards across investee assets
Fund / asset manager is working with the assets they hold to help stamp out modern slavery - where direct or indirect company employees are exploited for business benefits.
Fund / asset managers have stewardship strategies in place that focus on improving governance standards across investee assets
Has a stewardship / responsible ownership strategy that encourages responsible supply chain - ie the managers will discuss environmental, social and governance issues with investee companies with the aim of raising standards
Working to address sustainability, ESG and related concerns around artificial intelligence.
Escalation policies describe how a manager will proceed if stewardship / engagement activity is not successful in the short term.
Company Wide Exclusions
Find fund / asset management companies (not funds) that avoid investment in 'controversial weapons' across all of their funds and other investment vehicles.
Find fund / asset management companies that avoid investment in tobacco (manufacturing) companies across all their assets.
Find fund / asset management companies that avoid investment in fossil fuel companies (e.g. coal, oil and gas) across all of their funds. (and/ or other assets.)
Fund / asset management company excludes companies with fossil fuel reserves across all assets / funds
Climate & Net Zero Transition
Fund / asset management organisations that have pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to ‘net zero’. Strategies vary - this area is changing rapidly.
Fund / asset 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.
This fund / asset management company has set a date by which they plan to achieve net zero greenhouse gas / CO2e emissions.
Find fund / asset management companies that are working with the companies they invest in to encourage reductions in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.
Finds organisations / fund management companies that are in the process of working out how to make a ‘net zero commitment’ - meaning that when that is finalised they will have started the process of reducing their total greenhouse gas emissions to 'zero'.
Transparency
Find fund / asset management companies that publish a report detailing their responsible investment ownership - also known as 'Stewardship' - activity.
Find fund / asset management companies that publish information about their sustainable and responsible investment strategies on their company website.
This fund / asset management company has published information on their website about the delivery of a 'just transition' - ie the delivery of the necessary shift to a sustainable future that takes full account of social implications - how change effects people. See eg https://www.unepfi.org/social-issues/just-transition/ or LSE Grantham
Fund / asset 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.
This fund / asset management company has published a plan that explains how they are to become a sustainable business - without significant negative environmental or social impacts.
This fund / asset management company has published a plan that explains how they are going to achieve net zero greenhouse gas / CO2e emissions.
Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG Policy:
We take a long-term perspective - thinking a decade ahead - and integrate ESG analysis throughout our investment process. ESG is fully integrated into all stages of our research process and, while we do not apply any ethical restrictions to the portfolio, we can incorporate bespoke exclusions criteria and we already do this for other clients. We think carefully about the effect that any issues may have on the future earnings (and ultimately dividends) or the future valuation of the stocks we own.
We are careful stewards of capital, actively voting and engaging with boards and management teams on a variety of issues.
We aim to achieve a total return in excess of the benchmark over the long term through a combination of dividend and capital growth, but with lower volatility than the index.
Process:
Our aim is to deliver enduring value for our clients across market cycles. When we invest on behalf of our clients, we look to the long-term prospects of a company. We purchase shares where there is a case for enduring value creation, and where this is currently underappreciated by the market.
We also believe that responsible companies will tend to create more durable economic value. Specifically, we favour businesses that articulate compelling long-term strategies, and take seriously their responsibilities to their customers, supply chain, staff, local communities, the environment, and their shareholders.
Once we become shareholders on behalf of our clients, we believe it is important to build lines of communications with the executives and the Board of Directors. Stewardship is as much about ongoing responsible ownership as to the considered approach to selecting investee companies. We also believe that our clients’ long-term interests are not best served by a narrow focus on relative performance against a market index. The service we offer goes beyond beating a benchmark: first and foremost, we start with our clients’ needs and take a holistic approach. We would not, for instance, deploy capital in a company whose success involves causing significant harm elsewhere, which could damage our clients’ interests. Where we believe we can play a positive role in boosting broader market returns through improved government policies or market practices we will seek to catalyse change.
We aim to invest in companies that benefit from our ‘global themes’, or societal trends such as digitalisation, automation, ageing, emerging consumption, climate change and security. Further, we seek companies that are able to drive long-term performance through credible strategies to transform these strengths into enduring value, and demonstrating robust governance structures that will protect shareholders’ and creditors’ interests.
ESG factors are considered alongside other value drivers in determining a company’s ‘investment case’ and ‘risks to investment’. Companies’ long-term success depends on strategies that sustainably deliver goods or services valued by customers, such that companies earn an attractive return, maintain their license to operate and prosper. A company’s relations with core stakeholders, from employees, to suppliers, to regulators, to local communities to other groups that are impacted by (and may impact) the company’s operations, as well as its environmental performance, are important considerations.
ESG is, therefore, a required part of our analysis, and where we identify potential material impacts, this must be reflected within the valuation of each company. As part of our financial modelling we assess the materiality of ESG headwinds or tailwinds for every company and incorporate this into our fair value assessment. This therefore has an impact on portfolio construction as it is part of the fundamental assessment of a company, which is considered in the investment decision and position sizing.
ESG considerations are embedded throughout the process, from idea generation, which looks for long-term thematic trends to stock selection, to portfolio construction. We have described ESG integration at each stage of the investment process, as follows:
Idea generation:
The first step is idea generation. We look for opportunities in places we anticipate long-term sustained growth underpinned by what we describe as mega-themes. We believe these mega-themes will endure because they are aligned with a sustainable society, and that reinforces a key element of our investment philosophy; we wish to invest in a way that supports improvements in societal welfare over the long term. Once we have identified attractive ideas under our mega-themes, we undertake detailed bottom-up analysis. ESG analysis is a central part of this.
ESG analysis:
Using our Sustainability Impact Matrix, we undertake a comprehensive analysis into 15 E, S and G measures. Over 160 data points and criteria are considered in this assessment. This is an absolute analysis, rather than relative to peers in an industry.
Each measure is given a Red, Amber or Green assessment to reflect the severity of the impact on the environment, people or governance. Based on the assessments of the 15 measures, we draw out an overall traffic light for E, S and G representing how material the adverse impact is.
An overall ESG score of A to E with momentum indicators (+/-) translates the E, S and G traffic lights into a rating reflecting the overall materiality of ESG measures for the entity concerned.
In essence, it captures the extent to which harmful external impacts are internalised. A points to ESG as a positive tailwind for the investment case; E is un-investable due to ESG risks, and would be taken off our internal Global Buy List.
This analysis will depend on the case in hand, analysts use their expertise to determine how the economics of the business will be impacted. For instance, whether the specific issue will alter top-line growth, margins capital expenditure levels or if general risk best captured through an adjustment to the discount rate. Ultimately, whether the overall ESG factor is a headwind or tailwind is, therefore, reflected in the valuation model.
The lead analyst on a company, working within the stock team along with a stewardship team member, will propose the ESG score as part of bringing a stock idea to the team. The investment team will scrutinise the ratings as part of our stock approval process. In the event of diverging views, the stewardship lead makes the final decision.
Materiality is modelled based on an understanding of the economics, not rules: since specific ESG issues will be more or less material depending on a company, its sector, and business model we do not adopt a formulaic link between the 'traffic light' assessment and overall ESG score.
Instead, the stock initiation note illustrates how our assessment of material ESG issues (structured by the 'traffic lights') has informed our view of a company’s ESG risk and materiality, which is captured by the letter rating.
Data sources
The vast majority of our ESG analysis is proprietary analysis. We do use a range of providers to supplement this proprietary work, including MSCI, ISS as well as various ESG networks like ICGN, ACGA, alongside sell-side brokers and independent research input. All external data provided assists with our overall research process but in no way replaces or precludes the need for proprietary ESG and stewardship research. Our process is founded on the robustness and soundness of our own research prior to reliance on the data of third parties. For ethical screening, we use MSCI data. We also initiate, sponsor and participate in academic work and discussion to identify and investigate early opportunities, themes and trends.
We also utilise a company’s disclosures, external experts, non-governmental organisations, government publications and discussions. We also have access to the proprietary Sustainability Matrix®, developed and maintained by our parent company, Bank J. Safra Sarasin. It uses the quantitative and qualitative information available from multiple different sources, considering over 160 different questions. The matrix aggregates sustainability data from MSCI ESG, GMI, RepRisk and VigeoEiris. It is maintained by the Bank J Safra Sarasin sustainability team of 12 dedicated analysts, assessing and analysing the data that goes in and out of the matrix.
Resources, Affiliations & Corporate Strategies:
Internal Resources
No. All of our analysts and portfolio managers consider ESG factors when discussing stock ideas and building an investment case. Thus, we consider the entire team an ESG resource.
The stewardship specialists are directly responsible for engagement efforts, and work with the analysts to help them develop their ESG analysis and ratings for stocks.
Whilst the analysts own their ratings, this must be approved by the stewardship team to ensure joint accountability. It is important to note that our stewardship specialists are part of the global equity team, and are involved in team discussions and decisions.
We utilise our own framework and ratings systems to represent our proprietary ESG analysis. This analysis is bottom-up and driven by extensive primary research carried out by our analysts, supplemented with ESG data from MSCI, ISS and other sources.
Affiliations and Memberships
Sarasin & Partners has been an independent signatory of the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investing (UNPRI) since January 2012. In addition to the UNPRI, we are signatories to the UK Stewardship Code. We were accepted as a signatory of the Code first in September 2021, and subsequently confirmed as such in two subsequent years, 2022 and 2023, following a detailed annual stewardship report submitted to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC).
Memberships / initiatives are often the forum in which we work to improve ESG standards and taxonomy. We also carry out numerous engagement initiatives alongside some of these organisations, such as Climate Action 100+ for engagements on climate issues. We have provided a sample list directly below.
ENVIRONMENTAL
- Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative (founding signatory)
- Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC, part of GIC)
- Task Force for Climate-related Financial Reporting
- CDP (formerly Climate Disclosure Project)
- Climate Action 100+
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation Plastics Initiative
- Plastic Solutions Investor Alliance (PSIA)
SOCIAL
- 30% Group Investor Initiative
- Workforce Disclosure Initiative (WDI)
- Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR)
GOVERNANCE
- International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) (Sarasin & Partners won the Investment Disclosure Aware for managers with <$60bn AUM, November 2021
- Asian Corporate Governance Association (AGCA)
- Council of Institutional Investors (CII)
- Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI)
- Corporate Reporting and Auditing Group, convened by the Investment Association
- Investor Advisory Group of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC)
- We also support The Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF).
Many of these commitments provide us with a network of peers and supporters for key ESG related issues. It is important for us to remain engaged with group advocacy work, collaborative endeavours, such as engagements, but also to keep aware of best practice. Often, we find these networks to be useful sources of data and information either on a broad ESG related issue or on company specific metrics that may not be found in other sources. This information can be helpful to keep our investment process, which incorporates ESG analysis, focused on relevant issues and outcomes.
While most our company engagements are pursued on our own, we will collaborate with other investors where we are seeking to escalate, often because of resistance from the board or executives. Often having a larger shareholding united on a matter of concern can be more impactful. Whenever we explore collaboration, we ensure the steps we take are consistent with local laws and regulations. In certain cases, these collaborations link into broader initiatives that we support, such as ICCR Covid-19 engagement; the Ellen MacArthur global commitment on recycling; or Climate Action 100+.
Dialshifter
This fund is helping to ‘shift the dial from brown to green’ by…
…through our belief that the most crucial way in which we as a firm can have an impact on sustainability is through our stewardship work with investee companies. Responsible investment has the power to deliver enduring value to clients in a way that benefits society. Equally, wealth creation at society’s expense is likely to be ephemeral. Our approach has three tenets:
- A robust, thematic, global investment process focused on long-term value drivers
- Active engagement with companies and considered voting to drive positive change
- Policy outreach where we believe we can play a positive role in shaping markets and regulation.
SDR Labelling:
Unlabelled - promotes sustainable characteristics (has CFD)
Key Performance Indicators:
Whilst the Fund incorporates environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations, active ownership and impactful policy outreach, it does not have a defined sustainable goal or objective, therefore this product does not have a UK sustainable investment label.
| Fund Name | SRI Style | SDR Labelling | Product | Region | Asset Type | Launch Date | Last Amended |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sarasin Global Dividend Fund |
Sustainability Tilt | Unlabelled - promotes sustainable characteristics (has CFD) | OEIC | Global | Equity Income | 05/12/2013 | Jul 2025 | |
ObjectivesThe Fund seeks to provide growth (through increases in investment value) over a rolling five-year period through investment in the shares of companies from around the world, and to achieve an income at least 15% higher than the MSCI All Countries World Index.
|
Fund/Portfolio Size: £256.51m (as at: 30/04/2025) Total Screened Themed SRI Assets: £1116.90m (as at: 30/04/2025) Total Assets Under Management: £17192.00m (as at: 31/03/2025) ISIN: GB00BGDF8F44, GB00BGDF8D20, GB00BLB2ND58, GB00BLB2N022 Contact Us: Christopher.cade@sarasin.co.uk |
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Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG OverviewWe believe that long term investment requires a ‘stewardship’ mindset and a clear interest in the way each company is managed. Companies that foster a healthy and productive workforce, adopt a careful attitude to the environment and societal issues, and put their shareholders’ long-term interests first will tend to deliver enduring value. Our research and portfolio management teams, therefore, integrate ESG factors into investment decision making. Core beliefs that underpin our investment and stewardship activities include:
We understand that the world is complex. Standards, rules and expectations vary between countries and communities and the potential for unintended consequences is high. Our core investment principles guide our approach to investment and stewardship but we avoid hard and fast rules in implementation. |
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Primary fund last amended: Jul 2025 |
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Information received directly from Fund Manager |
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Fund FiltersSustainability - General
Sustainability policy
Has 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 individual entry information.
Encourage more sustainable practices through stewardship
Aim to encourage higher sustainability standards through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement / voting activity Environmental - General
Environmental policy
Has policies which relate to environmental issues. These will typically set out their stance on issues such as pollution, climate change, resource management, biodiversity loss, carbon emissions, plastics and/or additional environmental impacts. Strategies vary. Climate Change & Energy
Climate change / greenhouse gas emissions policy
Has 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.
Encourage transition to low carbon through stewardship activity
Encourage the transition to lower carbon activities through asset selection and / or responsible ownership activity. Social / Employment
Social policy
Has policies which set out their approach to social issues (e.g. human rights, labour standards, equal opportunities, child labour and/or adherence to internationally recognised codes such as the UN Global Compact). Strategies with social policies typically avoid companies with low standards and/or work to encourage higher standards. See fund information for detail.
Labour standards policy
Has a labour standards policy - likely to mean they will invest in / favour companies that have higher employment related standards and avoid those with low standards. Strategies vary. See eg https://www.ilo.org/international-labour-standards
Favours companies with strong social policies
Aims to invest in assets with high social values - this may include strong human rights, labour standards and equal opportunities or safety related practices.
Health & wellbeing policies or theme
Has policies or themes that set out their approach to health and wellbeing issues, typically aims to invest in companies with high standards - or encourage high standards. Ethical Values Led Exclusions
Ethical policies
Has policies that set out their position on ethical or 'personal values' based issues. Strategies vary.
Controversial weapons exclusion
Excludes companies which make controversial weapons such as landmines, cluster munitions and chemical weapons.
Armaments manufacturers not excluded
Does Not exclude manufacturers of products intended for use in armaments and weapons. So may invest in them
Military involvement not excluded
Does Not exclude companies with military contracts - this may include medical supplies, food, safety equipment, housing, technology etc. Human Rights
Human rights policy
Has policies relating to human rights issues. Typically require companies to demonstrate higher standards, although some managers work to encourage improvements. Investee companies are often judged against internationally agreed norms or standards. Strategies vary.
Responsible supply chain policy or theme
Has policies or a theme that relates to the responsible management of supply chains. These may relate to employment issues, notably people employed by their suppliers, as well as the sourcing of materials and products. Meeting Peoples' Basic Needs
Water / sanitation policy or theme
Have policies or themes that set out the position on investment in the water sector and/or sanitation. Strategies vary.
Demographic / ageing population theme
Has a thematic investment approach focusing on the ‘silver economy’ - in particular (typically) the issues and opportunities presented by changing demographics. This could include finance, healthcare and medicines and/ or longevity science to extend lifespans. Strategies vary.
Healthcare / medical theme
Healthcare and or medical theme or area of investment - may have a single or many themes Banking & Financials
Invests in banks
Can include banks as part of their holdings / portfolio.
Invests in insurers
May invest in insurance companies. Governance & Management
Governance policy
Has 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.
Avoids companies with poor governance
Avoids 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.
UN sanctions exclusion
Exclude companies that are subject to United Nations sanctions. See eg https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/content/un-sc-consolidated-list
Anti-bribery & corruption policy
Has 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.
Digital / cyber security policy
Has policies explaining how the managers take into account digital/cyber security related risks. Cyber policies will typically favour companies with higher standards or that are helping to solve problems - but strategies vary.
Encourage board diversity e.g. gender
Encourage the companies they invest in to have more diverse board structures (e.g. more women on boards)
Encourage TCFD alignment for banks & insurance companies
Encourage the banks and insurance companies they invest in to publish climate change related financial information - as set out by the Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures (with the aim of helping investors measure and respond to climate risk).
Encourage higher ESG standards through stewardship activity
Aim to encourage higher ESG standards through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement /voting activity Product / Service Governance
ESG integration strategy
Find fund / asset managers 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
Over 50% large cap companies
Invests more than half of their money into what are commonly regarded as 'large companies'. This will typically mean that the market capitalisation (or value) of the companies they hold is in excess of £5 to £10 billion.
Invests in small, mid & large cap companies / assets
Invests in a combination of small, medium and larger (potentially multinational) companies / assets. Impact Methodologies
Aims to generate positive impacts (or 'outcomes')
Has policies that aim to help or support the delivery of positive social or environmental impacts (or societal/real world outcomes) by investing in companies they regard as beneficial to people and / or the planet. Strategies vary.
Positive environmental impact theme
Specifically sets out to help deliver positive environmental impacts, benefits or 'real world' outcomes.
Aim to deliver positive impacts through engagement
Aims to deliver positive environmental and or social impacts (real world benefits) through its engagement with investee assets How The Fund/Portfolio Works
Positive selection bias
Focuses 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
Has principle 'ethical approach' to avoid companies by using negative screening criteria. Strategies vary.
Combines ESG strategy with other SRI criteria
Invests in assets which have an ESG strategy (which is typically focused on avoiding companies that pose environmental, social or governance related risks) together with additional criteria such as positive and/or negative screens, themes and stewardship strategies.
Balances company 'pros and cons' / best in sector
Considers both the 'positive' and 'negative' aspects of company behaviour and makes 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
Publish explanations of their ethical, social and/or environmental policies online (i.e. investment decision making strategies/ buy/sell &/or asset management strategies).
Do not use stock / securities lending
Does not use stock lending for performance or risk purposes. Unscreened Assets & Cash
No ‘diversifiers’ used other than cash
Only invests in cash to aid the practical management (buying and selling) of assets and so do not use additional financial instruments. Intended Clients & Product Options
Intended for clients interested in sustainability
Designed to meet the needs of individual investors with an interest in sustainability issues.
Intended for clients interested in ethical issues
Designed for clients who care about ethical and values-based issues, often alongside sustainability issues also.
Intended for clients who want to have a positive impact
Designed to meet the needs of individual investors with an interest in ‘Impact investment’ which help or support the delivery of positive social or environmental impacts (or societal/real world outcomes) by investing in companies regarded as beneficial to people and / or the planet. Strategies vary.
Available via an ISA (OEIC only)
Available via a tax efficient ISA product wrapper.
Bespoke SRI / ESG portfolios available
Only applicable for DFM’s & portfolio providers. Find service providers who offer bespoke ('personalised') SRI / ESG portfolio options Fund Management Company InformationAbout The Business
Boutique / specialist fund management company
Find fund / asset management companies that are smaller or specialise in particular areas - notably, ideally ESG related. Strategies vary.
Responsible ownership / stewardship policy or strategy (AFM companywide)
Finds fund / asset 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.
ESG / SRI engagement (AFM companywide)
Find fund / asset management companies that actively encourage higher 'environmental, social and governance' and / or 'sustainable and responsible investment' practices across investee companies - typically where the aim is to encourage positive change that is aligned with the best interests of investors. Strategies vary. See additional information and options.
Responsible ownership / ESG a key differentiator (AFM companywide)
Find fund / asset managers that consider responsible ownership and ESG to be a key differentiator for their business.
Responsible ownership policy for non SRI / sustainable options (AFM companywide)
Find options run by 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 across all or most funds, products and services.
Integrates ESG factors into all / most research (AFM companywide)
Find fund / asset 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 companywide)
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 companywide)
Find fund / asset 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). Collaborations & Affiliations
PRI signatory
Find fund / asset management companies that have signed up to the UN backed 'Principles of Responsible Investment'.
Fund EcoMarket partner
Find fund / asset management companies that have partnered with Fund EcoMarket - meaning that they are helping to improve access to information on sustainable and responsible investment by paying an annual fee to us which enables us to publish information for free. Partner funds are listed ahead of other funds and have their logos displayed.
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 / asset 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 / asset 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 / asset management companies that makes use of expert external research companies. This can help deliver specialist expertise and means resources are pooled with other investors.
ESG specialists on all investment desks (AFM companywide)
Finds organisations / fund managers that have one or more ESG/sustainability experts on all investment teams or 'desks' (all asset types) Accreditations
PRI A+ rated (AFM companywide)
Finds organisations / fund managers that have an A+ PRI rating - meaning they are highly rated according to the 'Principles of Responsible Investment'
UK Stewardship Code signatory (AFM companywide)
Find fund / asset managers that are signatories to the FRC UK Stewardship Code, which sets out a framework for constructive investor / investee relations where managers are encouraged to behave like responsible, typically longer term 'company owners'. Engagement Approach
Regularly lead collaborative ESG initiatives (AFM companywide)
Find fund / asset management companies that regularly initiate or run industry wide (collaborative) investor projects aimed at raising environmental, social and governance standards amongst investee companies.
Encourage responsible corporate taxation (AFM companywide)
Find fund / asset management companies that are working with the companies they invest in to encourage more responsible corporate taxation.
Engaging on climate change issues
Fund / asset manager has stewardship /responsible ownership strategy that is focused on addressing climate change with investee assets.
Engaging to reduce plastics pollution / waste
Fund / asset manager has stewardship /responsible ownership strategy with involves encouraging investee asset to reduce plastic waste and pollution.
Engaging to encourage responsible mining practices
Fund / asset manager has a stewardship / responsible ownership policy that means they are working to encourage more responsible mining practices - where environmental and social issues are properly dealt with by the companies they invest in.
Engaging on biodiversity / nature issues
The fund / asset manager has a responsible ownership / stewardship strategy that focuses on biodiversity and nature issues relating to the assets they invest the aim of which will be to reduce harm and or deliver improvement. Strategies vary. https://tnfd.global
Engaging to encourage a Just Transition
Fund / asset manager has a responsible ownership / stewardship strategy which means they are working to encourage the shift to more sustainable business practices in ways that respect and are sensitive to social issues and the impact change has on people effected by the changes that are taking place. https://www.transitionpathwayinitiative.org/ https://transitiontaskforce.net/
Engaging on human rights issues
Fund / asset manager has responsible ownership / stewardship strategy in place which aims to address human rights issues in investee companies (and potentially their suppliers) with the aim of raising standards
Engaging on labour / employment issues
Fund / 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 & / or inclusion issues
Fund / asset management company has a stewardship strategy in place which involves working to raise diversity, equality and inclusion standards across investee assets
Engaging to stop modern slavery
Fund / asset manager is working with the assets they hold to help stamp out modern slavery - where direct or indirect company employees are exploited for business benefits.
Engaging on governance issues
Fund / asset managers have stewardship strategies in place that focus on improving governance standards across investee assets
Engaging on responsible supply chain issues
Has a stewardship / responsible ownership strategy that encourages responsible supply chain - ie the managers will discuss environmental, social and governance issues with investee companies with the aim of raising standards
Engaging on the responsible use of AI
Working to address sustainability, ESG and related concerns around artificial intelligence.
Stewardship escalation policy
Escalation policies describe how a manager will proceed if stewardship / engagement activity is not successful in the short term. Company Wide Exclusions
Controversial weapons avoidance policy (AFM companywide)
Find fund / asset management companies (not funds) that avoid investment in 'controversial weapons' across all of their funds and other investment vehicles.
Tobacco avoidance policy (AFM companywide)
Find fund / asset management companies that avoid investment in tobacco (manufacturing) companies across all their assets.
Fossil fuel exclusion policy (AFM companywide)
Find fund / asset management companies that avoid investment in fossil fuel companies (e.g. coal, oil and gas) across all of their funds. (and/ or other assets.)
Do not invest in companies with fossil fuel reserves
Fund / asset management company excludes companies with fossil fuel reserves across all assets / funds Climate & Net Zero Transition
Net Zero commitment (AFM companywide)
Fund / asset 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 companywide)
Fund / asset 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.
Net Zero - have set a Net Zero target date (AFM companywide)
This fund / 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 companywide)
Find fund / asset management companies that are working with the companies they invest in to encourage reductions in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.
Working towards a ‘Net Zero’ commitment (AFM companywide)
Finds organisations / fund management companies that are in the process of working out how to make a ‘net zero commitment’ - meaning that when that is finalised they will have started the process of reducing their total greenhouse gas emissions to 'zero'. Transparency
Publish responsible ownership / stewardship report (AFM companywide)
Find fund / asset management companies that publish a report detailing their responsible investment ownership - also known as 'Stewardship' - activity.
Full stewardship / responsible ownership policy information on company website
Find fund / asset management companies that publish information about their sustainable and responsible investment strategies on their company website.
Just Transition policy on website (AFM companywide)
This fund / asset management company has published information on their website about the delivery of a 'just transition' - ie the delivery of the necessary shift to a sustainable future that takes full account of social implications - how change effects people. See eg https://www.unepfi.org/social-issues/just-transition/ or LSE Grantham
Publish full voting record (AFM companywide)
Fund / asset 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.
Sustainability transition plan publicly available (AFM companywide)
This fund / asset management company has published a plan that explains how they are to become a sustainable business - without significant negative environmental or social impacts.
Net Zero transition plan publicly available (AFM companywide)
This fund / asset management company has published a plan that explains how they are going to achieve net zero greenhouse gas / CO2e emissions. Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG Policy:We take a long-term perspective - thinking a decade ahead - and integrate ESG analysis throughout our investment process. ESG is fully integrated into all stages of our research process and, while we do not apply any ethical restrictions to the portfolio, we can incorporate bespoke exclusions criteria and we already do this for other clients. We think carefully about the effect that any issues may have on the future earnings (and ultimately dividends) or the future valuation of the stocks we own. We are careful stewards of capital, actively voting and engaging with boards and management teams on a variety of issues. We aim to achieve a total return in excess of the benchmark over the long term through a combination of dividend and capital growth, but with lower volatility than the index. Process:Our aim is to deliver enduring value for our clients across market cycles. When we invest on behalf of our clients, we look to the long-term prospects of a company. We purchase shares where there is a case for enduring value creation, and where this is currently underappreciated by the market. We also believe that responsible companies will tend to create more durable economic value. Specifically, we favour businesses that articulate compelling long-term strategies, and take seriously their responsibilities to their customers, supply chain, staff, local communities, the environment, and their shareholders. Once we become shareholders on behalf of our clients, we believe it is important to build lines of communications with the executives and the Board of Directors. Stewardship is as much about ongoing responsible ownership as to the considered approach to selecting investee companies. We also believe that our clients’ long-term interests are not best served by a narrow focus on relative performance against a market index. The service we offer goes beyond beating a benchmark: first and foremost, we start with our clients’ needs and take a holistic approach. We would not, for instance, deploy capital in a company whose success involves causing significant harm elsewhere, which could damage our clients’ interests. Where we believe we can play a positive role in boosting broader market returns through improved government policies or market practices we will seek to catalyse change. We aim to invest in companies that benefit from our ‘global themes’, or societal trends such as digitalisation, automation, ageing, emerging consumption, climate change and security. Further, we seek companies that are able to drive long-term performance through credible strategies to transform these strengths into enduring value, and demonstrating robust governance structures that will protect shareholders’ and creditors’ interests. ESG factors are considered alongside other value drivers in determining a company’s ‘investment case’ and ‘risks to investment’. Companies’ long-term success depends on strategies that sustainably deliver goods or services valued by customers, such that companies earn an attractive return, maintain their license to operate and prosper. A company’s relations with core stakeholders, from employees, to suppliers, to regulators, to local communities to other groups that are impacted by (and may impact) the company’s operations, as well as its environmental performance, are important considerations. ESG is, therefore, a required part of our analysis, and where we identify potential material impacts, this must be reflected within the valuation of each company. As part of our financial modelling we assess the materiality of ESG headwinds or tailwinds for every company and incorporate this into our fair value assessment. This therefore has an impact on portfolio construction as it is part of the fundamental assessment of a company, which is considered in the investment decision and position sizing. ESG considerations are embedded throughout the process, from idea generation, which looks for long-term thematic trends to stock selection, to portfolio construction. We have described ESG integration at each stage of the investment process, as follows: Idea generation: The first step is idea generation. We look for opportunities in places we anticipate long-term sustained growth underpinned by what we describe as mega-themes. We believe these mega-themes will endure because they are aligned with a sustainable society, and that reinforces a key element of our investment philosophy; we wish to invest in a way that supports improvements in societal welfare over the long term. Once we have identified attractive ideas under our mega-themes, we undertake detailed bottom-up analysis. ESG analysis is a central part of this. ESG analysis: Using our Sustainability Impact Matrix, we undertake a comprehensive analysis into 15 E, S and G measures. Over 160 data points and criteria are considered in this assessment. This is an absolute analysis, rather than relative to peers in an industry. Each measure is given a Red, Amber or Green assessment to reflect the severity of the impact on the environment, people or governance. Based on the assessments of the 15 measures, we draw out an overall traffic light for E, S and G representing how material the adverse impact is. An overall ESG score of A to E with momentum indicators (+/-) translates the E, S and G traffic lights into a rating reflecting the overall materiality of ESG measures for the entity concerned. In essence, it captures the extent to which harmful external impacts are internalised. A points to ESG as a positive tailwind for the investment case; E is un-investable due to ESG risks, and would be taken off our internal Global Buy List. This analysis will depend on the case in hand, analysts use their expertise to determine how the economics of the business will be impacted. For instance, whether the specific issue will alter top-line growth, margins capital expenditure levels or if general risk best captured through an adjustment to the discount rate. Ultimately, whether the overall ESG factor is a headwind or tailwind is, therefore, reflected in the valuation model. The lead analyst on a company, working within the stock team along with a stewardship team member, will propose the ESG score as part of bringing a stock idea to the team. The investment team will scrutinise the ratings as part of our stock approval process. In the event of diverging views, the stewardship lead makes the final decision. Materiality is modelled based on an understanding of the economics, not rules: since specific ESG issues will be more or less material depending on a company, its sector, and business model we do not adopt a formulaic link between the 'traffic light' assessment and overall ESG score. Instead, the stock initiation note illustrates how our assessment of material ESG issues (structured by the 'traffic lights') has informed our view of a company’s ESG risk and materiality, which is captured by the letter rating. Data sources The vast majority of our ESG analysis is proprietary analysis. We do use a range of providers to supplement this proprietary work, including MSCI, ISS as well as various ESG networks like ICGN, ACGA, alongside sell-side brokers and independent research input. All external data provided assists with our overall research process but in no way replaces or precludes the need for proprietary ESG and stewardship research. Our process is founded on the robustness and soundness of our own research prior to reliance on the data of third parties. For ethical screening, we use MSCI data. We also initiate, sponsor and participate in academic work and discussion to identify and investigate early opportunities, themes and trends. We also utilise a company’s disclosures, external experts, non-governmental organisations, government publications and discussions. We also have access to the proprietary Sustainability Matrix®, developed and maintained by our parent company, Bank J. Safra Sarasin. It uses the quantitative and qualitative information available from multiple different sources, considering over 160 different questions. The matrix aggregates sustainability data from MSCI ESG, GMI, RepRisk and VigeoEiris. It is maintained by the Bank J Safra Sarasin sustainability team of 12 dedicated analysts, assessing and analysing the data that goes in and out of the matrix. Resources, Affiliations & Corporate Strategies:Internal Resources No. All of our analysts and portfolio managers consider ESG factors when discussing stock ideas and building an investment case. Thus, we consider the entire team an ESG resource. The stewardship specialists are directly responsible for engagement efforts, and work with the analysts to help them develop their ESG analysis and ratings for stocks. Whilst the analysts own their ratings, this must be approved by the stewardship team to ensure joint accountability. It is important to note that our stewardship specialists are part of the global equity team, and are involved in team discussions and decisions. We utilise our own framework and ratings systems to represent our proprietary ESG analysis. This analysis is bottom-up and driven by extensive primary research carried out by our analysts, supplemented with ESG data from MSCI, ISS and other sources. Affiliations and Memberships Sarasin & Partners has been an independent signatory of the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investing (UNPRI) since January 2012. In addition to the UNPRI, we are signatories to the UK Stewardship Code. We were accepted as a signatory of the Code first in September 2021, and subsequently confirmed as such in two subsequent years, 2022 and 2023, following a detailed annual stewardship report submitted to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). Memberships / initiatives are often the forum in which we work to improve ESG standards and taxonomy. We also carry out numerous engagement initiatives alongside some of these organisations, such as Climate Action 100+ for engagements on climate issues. We have provided a sample list directly below. ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
GOVERNANCE
Many of these commitments provide us with a network of peers and supporters for key ESG related issues. It is important for us to remain engaged with group advocacy work, collaborative endeavours, such as engagements, but also to keep aware of best practice. Often, we find these networks to be useful sources of data and information either on a broad ESG related issue or on company specific metrics that may not be found in other sources. This information can be helpful to keep our investment process, which incorporates ESG analysis, focused on relevant issues and outcomes. While most our company engagements are pursued on our own, we will collaborate with other investors where we are seeking to escalate, often because of resistance from the board or executives. Often having a larger shareholding united on a matter of concern can be more impactful. Whenever we explore collaboration, we ensure the steps we take are consistent with local laws and regulations. In certain cases, these collaborations link into broader initiatives that we support, such as ICCR Covid-19 engagement; the Ellen MacArthur global commitment on recycling; or Climate Action 100+. Dialshifter (Fund)This fund is helping to ‘shift the dial from brown to green’ by… …through our belief that the most crucial way in which we as a firm can have an impact on sustainability is through our stewardship work with investee companies. Responsible investment has the power to deliver enduring value to clients in a way that benefits society. Equally, wealth creation at society’s expense is likely to be ephemeral. Our approach has three tenets:
SDR Labelling:Unlabelled - promotes sustainable characteristics (has CFD) Key Performance Indicators:
Whilst the Fund incorporates environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations, active ownership and impactful policy outreach, it does not have a defined sustainable goal or objective, therefore this product does not have a UK sustainable investment label. |
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