Epworth is committed to seeking both superior returns and improving ethical standards.
We seek to improve the ethical profile of our portfolios by avoiding investments in particular businesses and encouraging better practices in others.
We view our investments as long term partnerships with company managements. We engage in constructive dialogue and practise active voting to challenge social, environmental and ethical considerations.
Ethical research integrated with financial analysis is key to our investment process. Fund managers are responsible for both financial and ethical analysis.
Comprehensive policy statements and position papers offer a reference for clients and a clear focus for fund managers.
The Ethics Advisory Committee provides a unique and robust mechanism for testing ethical investment decisions against theological principles.
Our approach to ethics helps trustees to avoid conflict between the aims of their charity and their investments.
Client input is actively encouraged. It helps us gain an understanding of the issues that are of greatest concern to clients and encourages deeper analysis.
Reporting of ethical issues is standard alongside regular performance and financial analysis.
We exclude securities issued by organisations whose business is wholly or mainly involved in:
We engage and act to improve the performance of companies in a range of issues including:
Epworth supports investor engagement with companies and is a signatory to the
Financial Reporting Council's Stewardship Code
Active membership of global networks and partnerships provide a powerful united voice when dealing with multinational corporations and assist us and our clients to make informed ethical investment decisions.
Our internal expertise is supported by a balanced range of ethical investment research services.
