The UK Stewardship Code 2020 sets high stewardship standards for those investing money on behalf of UK savers and pensioners, and those that support them. Stewardship is the responsible allocation, management and oversight of capital to create long-term value for clients and beneficiaries leading to sustainable benefits for the economy, the environment and society.
The Code comprises a set of 12 ‘apply and explain’ Principles for asset managers and asset owners. As part of this, it aims to enhance the quality of engagement between institutional investors and companies to help improve long-term returns to shareholders and the efficient exercise of governance responsibilities by setting out good practice on engagement with investee companies to which the Financial Reporting Council believes institutional investors should aspire.
Epworth Investment Management Limited and its parent, The Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church (CFB) are signatories to the Code. The Principles of informed engagement with companies set out within the Code, lie at the heart of our investment approach; the Stewardship Code provides a valuable, additional context for enhancing the responsibilities of shareholder ownership.
Our detailed Statement in response to the Principles contained within the Code are set out here