
Unicorn Ethical Income Fund
SRI Style:
Ethical Style
SDR Labelling:
Unlabelled with sustainable characteristics
Product:
OEIC
Fund Region:
UK
Fund Asset Type:
Equity Income
Launch Date:
01/04/2016
Last Amended:
Aug 2025
Dialshifter (
):
Fund/Portfolio Size:
£28.10m
(as at: 28/07/2025)
Total Screened Themed SRI Assets:
£28.10m
(as at: 28/07/2025)
Total Responsible Ownership Assets:
£688.90m
(as at: 28/07/2025)
Total Assets Under Management:
£688.90m
(as at: 28/07/2025)
ISIN:
GB00BYP2Y515, GB00BYQCS257, GB00BDHLG082, GB00BDHLG207
Contact Us:
Objectives:
The Unicorn UK Ethical Income Fund aims to provide an income by investing in UK companies which meet the ACD’s ethical guidelines. For this purpose, UK companies are defined as those which are incorporated or domiciled in the UK or have a significant part of their operations in the UK. Selection of such ethical equities will be undertaken on the basis of thorough company analysis, with ethical and socially responsible criteria reviewed prior to, at the point of investment and quarterly thereafter. The Unicorn Ethical Income Fund builds upon the Core Unicorn Investment Process by implementing a strict exclusionary screening for companies which generate strategic revenue from the excluded business areas as per the Fund’s criteria.
Sustainable, Responsible
&/or ESG Overview:
Unicorn integrates sustainability into its investment strategy, viewing responsible business practices as essential for long-term value creation. The Fund employs a rigorous, sustainability-focused evaluation process across all investment stages, combining quantitative and qualitative assessments. This includes sector-specific analysis using frameworks like SASB to identify key ESG indicators. Companies involved in societal harm, corruption, or ESG controversies are excluded. Unicorn prioritises firms with strong governance, transparency, and stakeholder engagement, and aligns investments with social and environmental themes such as equity, education, clean energy, and resource efficiency. The firm actively engages with companies through regular dialogue, site visits, and voting on resolutions to influence ESG practices and strategic decisions. All evaluation and engagement activities are documented for transparency. This proactive approach helps mitigate financial risks, enhance portfolio resilience, and ensure alignment with long-term sustainability goals.
Primary fund last amended:
Aug 2025
Information directly from fund manager.
Fund Filters
Sustainability - General
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.
A core element of these funds aim to encourage higher sustainability standards across business practices through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement / voting activity
The delivery of the shift to a sustainable future is a core feature of this fund and its investment strategy. See eg https://www.transitionpathwayinitiative.org/
Nature & Biodiversity
Fund avoids assets / companies directly involved in genetic engineering
Climate Change & Energy
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.
Funds that avoid investing in major coal, oil and/or gas (extraction) companies. Funds vary: some may exclude all companies that extract oil. Others may have exposure to oil extraction via more diversified energy companies. See fund literature to confirm details.
Funds that avoid companies involved in fracking and tar sands - which are widely regarded as controversial methods of oil and gas extraction. Strategies vary. See fund information for further information.
Funds that avoid investing in companies with coal, oil and gas reserves. See fund information for further details.
A core element of these funds will aim to encourage the transition to lower carbon activities through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement / voting activity
The fund manager excludes companies with direct involvement in fossil fuel exploration (eg coal, oil and gas companies)
Ethical Values Led Exclusions
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.
Find funds that exclude companies which make controversial weapons such as landmines, cluster munitions and chemical weapons. See fund literature for further information.
Find funds that avoid companies with military contracts of any kind. This may include medical supplies, food, safety equipment, housing, etc. Fund strategies vary. See fund liteterature for more information.
Find funds with a written civilian firearms exclusion policy - meaning that they will not invest in companies that make (or perhaps also sell) handguns made for non-military users.
Find funds that avoid investment in companies involved in the production of alcohol. Strategies vary; some funds allow a small proportion of profits to come from this area. See fund literature for further information.
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.
Find funds that avoid companies that derive significant income from pornography and related areas. Strategies vary. See fund details for further information.
Find funds with policies that require specific animal welfare standards to be met. These may reference well-known welfare standards (3Rs - Replace, Reduce, Refine) or certification schemes. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.
Find funds that avoid companies that are involved in testing their products on animals. Precise application may vary. See fund literature for further information.
Human Rights
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.
Find funds that have policies in place to ensure they do not invest in companies that employ children.
Find funds with policies that exclude companies or other assets where regimes are not democratic, or where people may be oppressed. May use eg. Freedom House research. Strategies vary. See fund literature for further information.
The fund has a policy which excludes assets with involvement in Modern Slavery
Gilts & Sovereigns
Find funds that do not invest in / exclude 'sovereigns' - debt issued by governments. See eg https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/sovereign-debt.asp
Banking & Financials
Find funds that include banks as part of their holdings / portfolio.
Funds that do or may invest in insurance companies.
Governance & Management
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.
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.
Exclude companies that are subject to United Nations sanctions. See eg https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/content/un-sc-consolidated-list
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.
A core element of these funds will aim to encourage higher ESG standards through responsible ownership / stewardship / engagement /voting activity
Fund Governance
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.
Asset Size
Find funds where more than half of the funds' assets are invested in smaller or medium sized companies (i.e. below around £5 -10 billion).
Find funds that have SRI strategies and focus their investment stock selection on small or mid cap companies. (e.g. below circa £10bn)
Impact Methodologies
Fund aims to deliver positive environmental and or social impacts (real world benefits) through its engagement with investee assets
How The Fund Works
Find funds where their main approach is to apply positive or negative ethical, social and / or environmental screens. Strictly screened funds are likely to exclude more companies than other related fund options. See fund literature for further information.
A major focus of these funds is the careful management of environmental, social and governance (ESG) related risks - typically by avoiding or being underweight in companies seen as posing major risks in these areas (i.e. not necessarily by using themes, exclusions etc).
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).
This fund does not use stock lending for performance or risk purposes.
Unscreened Assets & Cash
All assets held in the fund - except cash - meet the sustainability criteria published in fund documentation.
Intended Clients & Product Options
Finds funds designed to meet the needs of individual investors with an interest in sustainability issues.
Find funds designed for clients who care about ethical and values-based issues, often alongside sustainability issues also.
Find funds that are available via a tax efficient ISA product wrapper.
Labels & Accreditations
A voluntary corporate culture standard for investment managers, see https://www.investorsact.com/ - City Hive
Fund Management Company Information
About The Business
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.
Find fund 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 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.)
Find fund managers that consider responsible ownership and ESG to be a key differentiator for their business.
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.
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.
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).
Fund management entity offers unstructured intermediary training on sustainable investment (ie for financial advisers and wealth managers)
Collaborations & Affiliations
Find fund management companies that have signed up to the UN backed 'Principles of Responsible Investment'.
Find fund 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 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 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 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)
Engagement Approach
Fund manager has stewardship /responsible ownership strategy that is focused on addressing climate change with investee assets.
Asset manager has stewardship /responsible ownership strategy with involves encouraging investee asset to reduce plastic waste and pollution.
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/
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 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
Company Wide Exclusions
Find fund management companies (not funds) that avoid investment in 'controversial weapons' across all of their funds and other investment vehicles.
Climate & Net Zero Transition
Fund management organisations that have pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to ‘net zero’. Strategies vary - this area is changing rapidly.
This asset management company has set a date by which they plan to achieve net zero greenhouse gas / CO2e emissions.
This asset management company plans to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (CO2e) emissions with the help of a scheme that will lock away an amount of carbon that is equivalent to the company’s own emissions – so that the end result is ‘net zero’. Calculations and scope vary.
Transparency
Find fund management companies that publish a report detailing their responsible investment ownership - also known as 'Stewardship' - activity.
Find companies that publish information about their sustainable and responsible investment strategies on their company website.
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:
Unicorn believes that a company’s commitment to responsible and sustainable operations and business practices serves as a key indicator of its potential for long-term value creation and preservation. The Fund applies a specific sustainability-related evaluation and assessment of stocks selection, which is integrated throughout the investment process. This comprehensive approach involves in-depth analysis and active engagement to identify and mitigate downside risks and minimise potential financial vulnerabilities within a business. Furthermore, each stage of this evaluation and engagement process is thoroughly documented and can be made available upon request, ensuring transparency and accountability in investment practices.
Process:
Unicorn believes that a company’s commitment to responsible and sustainable operations and business practices serves as a key indicator of its potential for long-term value creation and preservation. Each Fund applies a specific sustainability-related evaluation and assessment of stock selection, which is then integrated throughout the investment process. This comprehensive approach involves in-depth analysis and active engagement to identify and mitigate downside risks and minimise potential financial vulnerabilities within a business. Furthermore, each stage of this evaluation and engagement process is thoroughly documented and can be made available upon request, ensuring transparency and accountability in investment practices.
Evaluate: detailed and thorough assessment of investee companies, research focuses on both quantitative and qualitative elements. All financially relevant and material ESG-related financial factors are considered for both existing and potential holdings.
Engage: active engagement including regular meetings with senior management, site visits, and active voting. Unicorn benefits from strong corporate access enabling ongoing dialogue with investee companies
Differentiated Framework
Unicorn employs a differentiated responsible investing framework to best address our ranging client needs and ensure the most appropriate evaluation for investee companies. Incorporating ESG-related financial risk assessment is essential for managing downside risk exposure, revealing underlying vulnerabilities that traditional financial analysis may overlook. Issues such as environmental liabilities, poor labour practices, or weak governance structures can lead to regulatory fines, operational disruptions, reputational damage, or financial loss. By identifying these risks early on, investors can mitigate potential losses, improve portfolio resilience, and avoid exposure to companies with unsustainable practices. Integrating ESG evaluation helps ensure that investments are not only aligned with long-term sustainability goals but are also safeguarded against unforeseen financial and operational challenges.
Evaluate
Unicorn aims to invest in companies that exhibit a robust commitment to key principles of corporate governance, including accountability, transparency, integrity, stakeholder engagement, and prudent financial stewardship. In addition, Unicorn prioritises investments in companies that align with broader social and environmental themes. In the social sphere, these themes encompass social equity and inclusion, community engagement, health and wellness, and education and skills development. On the environmental front, Unicorn seeks companies advancing cleaner energy, environmental services, and resource efficiency.
The initial review also aims to prohibit investment in any company which is deemed to have inadequate considerations towards long-term business model sustainability. An examination of a company’s harmful or detrimental characteristics within a sector context is also undertaken. Examples include but are not limited to: negative societal impact, corruption, ESG controversies. Illustrative examples include:
To provide more sector specific KPIs, a more focused analysis is then conducted in line with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) framework, in order to evaluate companies that operate in various sectors in different ways. The table below presents the ESG data considerations we conduct for each individual company when assessing sustainability of the business model and operations. Sources of information include, but are not limited to: corporate filings, industry publications, government databases, third-party platforms, company meetings.
Engage
As long-term shareholders, Unicorn’s investment team benefits from privileged access to senior management and Boards of investee companies, facilitating meaningful engagement through ongoing dialogue and active voting. Engagement is integral to our investment process and ongoing appraisal, with regular (typically biannual) meetings to discuss strategic, operational, and governance matters, including material ESG issues. Progress on these issues is recorded and monitored, and we encourage companies to enhance disclosure and reporting practices where necessary. Site visits further enable the team to assess ESG practices further. Additionally, Unicorn exercises voting rights on all resolutions, challenging management when recommendations conflict with our firmwide responsible investing standards or the interests of our investors. The firm’s voting records are available on the firm’s website. The firm’s SRD annual disclosures are further outlined in our annual Sustainability and Stewardship report which is also available on the firm’s website.
Enhanced Ethical Approach
The Unicorn Ethical Income Fund and IHT Responsible Investment Funds build upon the Core Unicorn Investment Process by implementing a strict exclusionary screening for companies which generate strategic revenue from the excluded business areas as per the Fund’s criteria. Strategic revenue can be defined as any business income, direct or indirect, that contributes to or advances precluded activities or demonstrably supports any of these business areas. Illustrative examples include:
- Payments platform that facilitates gambling company payment transactions
- Logistics businesses who have customers selling cigarettes as part of their supply chain distribution
- Soft drink wholesalers that sell pre-mixed cocktails as part of their product range
The Funds aim for zero investment exposure in these areas, with a maximum 5% strategic revenue exposure threshold. Any company deriving strategic income (direct or indirect) from these industries will be excluded from the Funds’ investments. To learn more about the additional company scrutiny for the Unicorn UK Ethical Income Fund and Responsible AIM IHT & ISA portfolio services, please email esg@unicornam.com for further information.
In line with both the Ottawa Treaty and the Oslo Convention, Unicorn fully supports the international conventions on cluster munitions and controversial weapons including anti-personnel mines, cluster munitions and chemical & biological weapons. In line with our approach to responsible investing and our commitment to the UN PRI, we will not knowingly invest in any company that derives revenues from, or provides funding for, cluster munitions or controversial weapons – this exclusion parameter is imposed in relation to all of Unicorn’s Funds or Mandates.
Resources, Affiliations & Corporate Strategies:
Proprietary Research
Investment research is performed in house, which has been the case since the inception of Unicorn Asset Management in 2000. This approach demands thorough due diligence of all investments, which fosters an in depth understanding of company business models from an operational, financial and ESG perspective. This is especially important when investing in smaller companies where relevant information is often less readily available. Regular meetings with company management teams form an integral part of the proprietary appraisal of investments.
Third Party Providers
Specialist ESG service providers may be utilised to provide supplementary independent analysis of investee companies. ESG research produced by third parties is only used as an indicative guide, and to inform, support and challenge our internal ESG assessment of a company. We work proactively with third party providers, often sharing our expertise to help inform and improve their assessment of companies that do not form part of their standard ESG coverage.
Corporate Governance
Unicorn invests in UK Companies and actively targets investment in those companies that employ strong corporate governance practices. Unicorn is committed to exercising responsible ownership. Our conviction is that companies which adopt best practice in corporate governance, will be more successful in their core activities and their ability to deliver enhanced returns for shareholders over the long term. Corporate governance is the system by which companies are directed and controlled. Boards of directors are responsible for the governance of their companies. The shareholders’ role in governance is to appoint the directors and the auditors and to satisfy themselves that an appropriate governance structure is in place. The responsibilities of the board include setting the company’s strategic aims, providing the leadership to put them into effect, supervising the management of the business and reporting to shareholders on their stewardship. The board’s actions are subject to laws, regulations and the shareholders in general meetings.
Accountability Mechanisms
The ESG team produces a quarterly ESG report detailing interactions with the management teams of investee companies and providing a record of Unicorn’s voting history and any other notable ESG engagements. The report and meeting minutes are then circulated and discussed by the ESG Committee, as a formal agenda item. Any required actions arising from the ESG Committee meetings are implemented as soon as is practicable.
Unicorn’s differentiated Responsible Investing Framework is implemented by the group’s Head of Sustainability and wider ESG team, which is overseen by the ESG Committee. The ESG Committee comprises: Head of Sustainability, ESG Risk Executive, ESG Associate, Director of Operations, Risk Officer, members of the investment team, Compliance Manager and Compliance Officer.
Unicorn is a signatory of the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative (NZAMI) and the United Nation’s Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI).
For more information, please see our Sustainability and Stewardship report available on our company website.
Dialshifter
This fund is helping to ‘shift the dial from brown to green’ by…
Unicorn Asset Management is continually enhancing its proprietary responsible investing framework and deepening the integration of sustainability considerations across both the investment process and the wider organisation.
SDR Labelling:
Unlabelled with sustainable characteristics
- Consumer Facing Disclosure
SDR Literature:
Literature
Voting Record
Disclaimer
Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and investors may not get back the full amount of their original investment. Unicorn Asset Management do not give out investment advice, we recommend that you contact a financial advisor if you are unsure whether to invest. Investors should also read the Prospectus and KIID document of the fund before making an investment. Equities are subject to greater degrees of market risk than other types of investment, such as bonds or money market instruments. You should not invest unless you are prepared to accept a higher degree of risk. Investing in smaller companies, including AIM companies, can carry greater risks than those usually associated with large capitalisation companies. Smaller companies are likely to be less established and may not have access to the financial resources available to their larger counterparts. The shares of smaller companies are relatively illiquid and under-researched. Taxation levels, benefits and reliefs may all vary depending on individual circumstances and are subject to change. Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice. A key objective of the Fund is to provide income, therefore, some or all of the annual management charge is taken from capital rather than income. This can reduce the potential for capital growth. Unicorn Asset Management Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Fund Name | SRI Style | SDR Labelling | Product | Region | Asset Type | Launch Date | Last Amended |
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![]() Unicorn Ethical Income Fund |
Ethical Style | Unlabelled with sustainable characteristics | OEIC | UK | Equity Income | 01/04/2016 | Aug 2025 | |
ObjectivesThe Unicorn UK Ethical Income Fund aims to provide an income by investing in UK companies which meet the ACD’s ethical guidelines. For this purpose, UK companies are defined as those which are incorporated or domiciled in the UK or have a significant part of their operations in the UK. Selection of such ethical equities will be undertaken on the basis of thorough company analysis, with ethical and socially responsible criteria reviewed prior to, at the point of investment and quarterly thereafter. The Unicorn Ethical Income Fund builds upon the Core Unicorn Investment Process by implementing a strict exclusionary screening for companies which generate strategic revenue from the excluded business areas as per the Fund’s criteria.
|
Fund/Portfolio Size: £28.10m (as at: 28/07/2025) Total Screened Themed SRI Assets: £28.10m (as at: 28/07/2025) Total Responsible Ownership Assets: £688.90m (as at: 28/07/2025) Total Assets Under Management: £688.90m (as at: 28/07/2025) ISIN: GB00BYP2Y515, GB00BYQCS257, GB00BDHLG082, GB00BDHLG207 Contact Us: esg@unicornam.com |
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Sustainable, Responsible &/or ESG OverviewUnicorn integrates sustainability into its investment strategy, viewing responsible business practices as essential for long-term value creation. The Fund employs a rigorous, sustainability-focused evaluation process across all investment stages, combining quantitative and qualitative assessments. This includes sector-specific analysis using frameworks like SASB to identify key ESG indicators. Companies involved in societal harm, corruption, or ESG controversies are excluded. Unicorn prioritises firms with strong governance, transparency, and stakeholder engagement, and aligns investments with social and environmental themes such as equity, education, clean energy, and resource efficiency. The firm actively engages with companies through regular dialogue, site visits, and voting on resolutions to influence ESG practices and strategic decisions. All evaluation and engagement activities are documented for transparency. This proactive approach helps mitigate financial risks, enhance portfolio resilience, and ensure alignment with long-term sustainability goals. |
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Primary fund last amended: Aug 2025 |
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Information received directly from Fund Manager |
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Fund FiltersSustainability - 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.
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
Transition focus
The delivery of the shift to a sustainable future is a core feature of this fund and its investment strategy. See eg https://www.transitionpathwayinitiative.org/ Nature & Biodiversity
Genetic engineering exclusion
Fund avoids assets / companies directly involved in genetic engineering 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.
Coal, oil & / or gas majors excluded
Funds that avoid investing in major coal, oil and/or gas (extraction) companies. Funds vary: some may exclude all companies that extract oil. Others may have exposure to oil extraction via more diversified energy companies. See fund literature to confirm details.
Fracking and tar sands excluded
Funds that avoid companies involved in fracking and tar sands - which are widely regarded as controversial methods of oil and gas extraction. Strategies vary. See fund information for further information.
Fossil fuel reserves exclusion
Funds that avoid investing in companies with coal, oil and gas reserves. 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
Fossil fuel exploration exclusion - direct involvement
The fund manager excludes companies with direct involvement in fossil fuel exploration (eg coal, oil and gas companies) 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.
Controversial weapons exclusion
Find funds that exclude companies which make controversial weapons such as landmines, cluster munitions and chemical weapons. See fund literature for further information.
Military involvement exclusion
Find funds that avoid companies with military contracts of any kind. This may include medical supplies, food, safety equipment, housing, etc. Fund strategies vary. See fund liteterature for more information.
Civilian firearms production exclusion
Find funds with a written civilian firearms exclusion policy - meaning that they will not invest in companies that make (or perhaps also sell) handguns made for non-military users.
Alcohol production excluded
Find funds that avoid investment in companies involved in the production of alcohol. Strategies vary; some funds allow a small proportion of profits to come from this area. See fund literature for further information.
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.
Pornography avoidance policy
Find funds that avoid companies that derive significant income from pornography and related areas. Strategies vary. See fund details for further information.
Animal welfare policy
Find funds with policies that require specific animal welfare standards to be met. These may reference well-known welfare standards (3Rs - Replace, Reduce, Refine) or certification schemes. Strategies vary. See fund information for further detail.
Animal testing exclusion policy
Find funds that avoid companies that are involved in testing their products on animals. Precise application may vary. See fund literature for further information. 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.
Child labour exclusion
Find funds that have policies in place to ensure they do not invest in companies that employ children.
Oppressive regimes (not free or democratic) exclusion policy
Find funds with policies that exclude companies or other assets where regimes are not democratic, or where people may be oppressed. May use eg. Freedom House research. Strategies vary. See fund literature for further information.
Modern slavery exclusion policy
The fund has a policy which excludes assets with involvement in Modern Slavery Gilts & Sovereigns
Does not invest in sovereigns
Find funds that do not invest in / exclude 'sovereigns' - debt issued by governments. See eg https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/sovereign-debt.asp Banking & Financials
Invests in banks
Find funds that include banks as part of their holdings / portfolio.
Invests in insurers
Funds that do or may invest in insurance companies. 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.
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 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 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. Asset Size
Over 50% small / mid cap companies
Find funds where more than half of the funds' assets are invested in smaller or medium sized companies (i.e. below around £5 -10 billion).
Invests mostly in small or mid cap companies / assets
Find funds that have SRI strategies and focus their investment stock selection on small or mid cap companies. (e.g. below circa £10bn) Impact Methodologies
Aim to deliver positive impacts through engagement
Fund aims to deliver positive environmental and or social impacts (real world benefits) through its engagement with investee assets How The Fund Works
Strictly screened ethical fund
Find funds where their main approach is to apply positive or negative ethical, social and / or environmental screens. Strictly screened funds are likely to exclude more companies than other related fund options. See fund literature for further information.
Focus on ESG risk mitigation
A major focus of these funds is the careful management of environmental, social and governance (ESG) related risks - typically by avoiding or being underweight in companies seen as posing major risks in these areas (i.e. not necessarily by using themes, exclusions etc).
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).
Do not use stock / securities lending
This fund does not use stock lending for performance or risk purposes. Unscreened Assets & Cash
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.
Intended for clients interested in ethical issues
Find funds designed for clients who care about ethical and values-based issues, often alongside sustainability issues also.
Available via an ISA (OEIC only)
Find funds that are available via a tax efficient ISA product wrapper. Labels & Accreditations
ACT signatory
A voluntary corporate culture standard for investment managers, see https://www.investorsact.com/ - City Hive Fund Management Company InformationAbout 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.
ESG / SRI engagement (AFM company wide)
Find fund 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.
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 / ESG a key differentiator (AFM company wide)
Find fund managers that consider responsible ownership and ESG to be a key differentiator for their business.
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.
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).
Offer unstructured intermediary sustainable investment training
Fund management entity offers unstructured intermediary training on sustainable investment (ie for financial advisers and wealth managers) Collaborations & Affiliations
PRI signatory
Find fund management companies that have signed up to the UN backed 'Principles of Responsible Investment'.
Fund EcoMarket partner
Find fund 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 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.
ESG specialists on all investment desks (AFM company wide)
Finds organisations / fund managers that have one or more ESG/sustainability experts on all investment teams or 'desks' (all asset types) 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 to reduce plastics pollution / waste
Asset manager has stewardship /responsible ownership strategy with involves encouraging investee asset to reduce plastic waste and pollution.
Engaging to encourage a Just Transition
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 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 governance issues
Fund 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 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. 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.
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.
Carbon offsetting - offset carbon as part of our net zero plan (AFM company wide)
This asset management company plans to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (CO2e) emissions with the help of a scheme that will lock away an amount of carbon that is equivalent to the company’s own emissions – so that the end result is ‘net zero’. Calculations and scope vary. 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.
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:Unicorn believes that a company’s commitment to responsible and sustainable operations and business practices serves as a key indicator of its potential for long-term value creation and preservation. The Fund applies a specific sustainability-related evaluation and assessment of stocks selection, which is integrated throughout the investment process. This comprehensive approach involves in-depth analysis and active engagement to identify and mitigate downside risks and minimise potential financial vulnerabilities within a business. Furthermore, each stage of this evaluation and engagement process is thoroughly documented and can be made available upon request, ensuring transparency and accountability in investment practices.
Process:Unicorn believes that a company’s commitment to responsible and sustainable operations and business practices serves as a key indicator of its potential for long-term value creation and preservation. Each Fund applies a specific sustainability-related evaluation and assessment of stock selection, which is then integrated throughout the investment process. This comprehensive approach involves in-depth analysis and active engagement to identify and mitigate downside risks and minimise potential financial vulnerabilities within a business. Furthermore, each stage of this evaluation and engagement process is thoroughly documented and can be made available upon request, ensuring transparency and accountability in investment practices. Evaluate: detailed and thorough assessment of investee companies, research focuses on both quantitative and qualitative elements. All financially relevant and material ESG-related financial factors are considered for both existing and potential holdings. Engage: active engagement including regular meetings with senior management, site visits, and active voting. Unicorn benefits from strong corporate access enabling ongoing dialogue with investee companies Differentiated Framework Unicorn employs a differentiated responsible investing framework to best address our ranging client needs and ensure the most appropriate evaluation for investee companies. Incorporating ESG-related financial risk assessment is essential for managing downside risk exposure, revealing underlying vulnerabilities that traditional financial analysis may overlook. Issues such as environmental liabilities, poor labour practices, or weak governance structures can lead to regulatory fines, operational disruptions, reputational damage, or financial loss. By identifying these risks early on, investors can mitigate potential losses, improve portfolio resilience, and avoid exposure to companies with unsustainable practices. Integrating ESG evaluation helps ensure that investments are not only aligned with long-term sustainability goals but are also safeguarded against unforeseen financial and operational challenges. Evaluate The initial review also aims to prohibit investment in any company which is deemed to have inadequate considerations towards long-term business model sustainability. An examination of a company’s harmful or detrimental characteristics within a sector context is also undertaken. Examples include but are not limited to: negative societal impact, corruption, ESG controversies. Illustrative examples include: To provide more sector specific KPIs, a more focused analysis is then conducted in line with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) framework, in order to evaluate companies that operate in various sectors in different ways. The table below presents the ESG data considerations we conduct for each individual company when assessing sustainability of the business model and operations. Sources of information include, but are not limited to: corporate filings, industry publications, government databases, third-party platforms, company meetings. Engage Enhanced Ethical Approach
The Funds aim for zero investment exposure in these areas, with a maximum 5% strategic revenue exposure threshold. Any company deriving strategic income (direct or indirect) from these industries will be excluded from the Funds’ investments. To learn more about the additional company scrutiny for the Unicorn UK Ethical Income Fund and Responsible AIM IHT & ISA portfolio services, please email esg@unicornam.com for further information. In line with both the Ottawa Treaty and the Oslo Convention, Unicorn fully supports the international conventions on cluster munitions and controversial weapons including anti-personnel mines, cluster munitions and chemical & biological weapons. In line with our approach to responsible investing and our commitment to the UN PRI, we will not knowingly invest in any company that derives revenues from, or provides funding for, cluster munitions or controversial weapons – this exclusion parameter is imposed in relation to all of Unicorn’s Funds or Mandates.
Resources, Affiliations & Corporate Strategies:Proprietary Research Third Party Providers Corporate Governance Accountability Mechanisms Unicorn’s differentiated Responsible Investing Framework is implemented by the group’s Head of Sustainability and wider ESG team, which is overseen by the ESG Committee. The ESG Committee comprises: Head of Sustainability, ESG Risk Executive, ESG Associate, Director of Operations, Risk Officer, members of the investment team, Compliance Manager and Compliance Officer. Unicorn is a signatory of the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative (NZAMI) and the United Nation’s Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI). For more information, please see our Sustainability and Stewardship report available on our company website. Dialshifter (Fund)This fund is helping to ‘shift the dial from brown to green’ by… Unicorn Asset Management is continually enhancing its proprietary responsible investing framework and deepening the integration of sustainability considerations across both the investment process and the wider organisation.
Dialshifter (Corporate)‘Our organisation is helping to support the Paris Climate Agreement and the Race to Net Zero by…’ Unicorn Asset Management continues to be a signatory of the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment and Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative which supports the Paris Climate Agreement and the Race to Net Zero. SDR Labelling:Unlabelled with sustainable characteristics
SDR Literature:LiteratureVoting RecordDisclaimerPast performance is not a guide to future performance. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and investors may not get back the full amount of their original investment. Unicorn Asset Management do not give out investment advice, we recommend that you contact a financial advisor if you are unsure whether to invest. Investors should also read the Prospectus and KIID document of the fund before making an investment. Equities are subject to greater degrees of market risk than other types of investment, such as bonds or money market instruments. You should not invest unless you are prepared to accept a higher degree of risk. Investing in smaller companies, including AIM companies, can carry greater risks than those usually associated with large capitalisation companies. Smaller companies are likely to be less established and may not have access to the financial resources available to their larger counterparts. The shares of smaller companies are relatively illiquid and under-researched. Taxation levels, benefits and reliefs may all vary depending on individual circumstances and are subject to change. Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice. A key objective of the Fund is to provide income, therefore, some or all of the annual management charge is taken from capital rather than income. This can reduce the potential for capital growth. Unicorn Asset Management Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. |