UK asset manager Close Brothers has launched its first ESG funds.
While the fund house has an existing ESG screening service which it applies to third-party funds and a socially responsible investment service aimed at high-net-worth investors, it has not launched any ESG funds of its own until now.
The Close Sustainable Balanced Portfolio fund will be managed by head of funds Riitta Hujanen and investment manager Richard Stroud. They will invest in a range of assets including equites, bonds, ETFs and third-party funds.
The Close Sustainable Bond Portfolio fund is a relaunch of an existing fixed income fund and will be managed by investment director Andrew Metcalf and investment manager Eran Hasson.
“Investors and clients are becoming more aware of how their money can affect the world around them and increasingly want to invest in ways that reflect their concern and respect for the natural environment, for human dignity and for responsible corporate behaviour,” said Martin Andrew, chief executive of Close Brothers. “We are launching these new funds to meet this demand.”
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