F&C Asset Management Pension Plan has topped a survey on sustainable pensions by UKSIF, the sustainable investment and finance association.
F&C's pension plan was one of only three schemes achieving the highest possible Platinum ranking in the survey, which analyses the approach to sustainable investment of corporate pension funds.
The survey is based on questionnaire responses from UK corporate pension funds of companies included in the FTSE4Good Series and the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index in January 2011. The full results will be published in UKSIF's third biennial "Responsible Business: Sustainable Pension" report, to be launched today at an event hosted by the National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF).
F&C has been a leading voice in the field of governance and sustainable investment since the launch of the UK's first ethical fund in 1984. As such, it is only fitting that its own company pension plan upholds the very highest standards of responsible investment. Over the past twenty-seven years, F&C's responsible investment product offering has grown to include a range of ethically-screened and thematic funds which are available to all employees and retirees, in addition to the company's market-leading Responsible Engagement Overlay service "reo®", which systematically applies to all of the fund's listed equity and corporate credit holdings. F&C REIT's sector-leading responsible property investment approach also applies to the pension plan's real estate investments.
In line with its plan sponsor's sustainable investment credentials, the trustees of the F&C Asset Management Pension Plan believe that the value of their investments can be greatly enhanced through sustainable investment practices, which include an integrated approach to due diligence and valuation as well as constructive dialogue with investee companies to drive continuous improvement in environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices.
Charles Rasche, Chairman of Board of Trustees, F&C Asset Management Pension Plan, said: "We are delighted that this survey has recognised our long-standing commitment to responsible investment and to the principles of active ownership and investor stewardship. We commend UKSIF for its role in promoting and supporting responsible ownership and investment practices across the industry".
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