Man Group plc (“Man”) is pleased to announce that it has become a signatory to the United Nations-backed Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). The PRI is a framework designed to encourage sustainable investing by incorporating environmental, social and governance issues into investment decision-making and ownership practices. Globally, there are 988 signatories, with 126 of these in the UK. Man is the largest UK-based manager of alternative assets to become a signatory.
Peter Clarke, Chief Executive of Man, said:
“This step is a signal of Man’s continued commitment to responsible investing. As a leading alternative asset manager, we hope that by signing up to the UN PRI we will encourage others in our industry to follow our lead.”
Pierre Lagrange, Executive Committee member of Man and Senior Managing Director of GLG, said:
“Investing sustainably enhances long-term value and reduces risk which is clearly good for all concerned: investment managers, their clients, society and the environment. GLG's efforts predate today's formal partnership with UN PRI: addressing the UN General Assembly in 2008 on sustainable investing, implementing technology to enable portfolio managers to make more informed investment decisions using ESG and launching a specific Global Sustainability Fund, aimed at reconciling sustainability and economic returns. We are pleased to be able to commit to widening these efforts by signing up to the PRI.”
Jason Mitchell, Portfolio Manager, GLG Global Sustainability Equity Fund said:
“Man’s support recognises our commitment to help advance the UN PRI agenda, and attests to the positive effects that normative, international frameworks like the PRI bring to the investment community. It also marks the next step in a process that began with our legacy in environmental funds, expanded into broader global sustainability themes and is driving our current work developing the application of sustainability across alternative strategies.”
How is Man already working in line with the PRI?
- By investing in technology and training to enable investment managers to take ESG factors into account and encourage listed companies to improve on ESG criteria
- By running the GLG Global Sustainability Equity Fund and managing a climate change strategy on behalf of Virgin Money Unit Trust Managers, both UCITS long-only strategies
- By running an effective Corporate Responsibility programme, as judged by inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index
- By being a signatory to the Carbon Disclosure Project and a member of the FTSE4Good
- By support for independent academic teaching and research at the Oxford Man Institute
- By supporting charities and local communities through the Man Charitable Trust, as well as sponsorship of the Man Booker literary prizes.
What are the Principles for Responsible Investment?
- We will incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes.
- We will be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices.
- We will seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest.
- We will promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry.
- We will work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles.
- We will each report on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles.
For more information on UNPRI go to www.unpri.org/faqs/
ENDS
Enquiries
Laura Humble
PR Manager
Man Group
+44 7825523150
+44 02 7144 3266
Andrea Coleman
Maitland (PR adviser to Man)
T: +44 20 7379 5151
F: +44 20 7379 6161
acoleman@maitland.co.uk
About Man
Man is a world-leading alternative investment management business. It has expertise in a wide range of liquid investment styles including managed futures, equity, credit and convertibles, emerging markets, global macro and multi-manager, combined with powerful product structuring, distribution and client service capabilities. As at 31 December 2011, Man managed $58.4 billon.
The original business was founded in 1783. Today, Man Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE 100 Index with a market capitalisation of around £2 billion.
Man is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investing (PRI). Man also supports many awards, charities and initiatives around the world, including sponsorship of the Man Booker literary prizes and the Man Asian Literary Prize. Further information can be found at www.mangroupplc.com.
