Schroders enhances impact investment focus with new global equity impact fund
20 February 2024
Schroders is today announcing the launch of a listed global equity impact fund amid growing demand from clients for public equity-focused impact strategies.
Schroder International Selection Fund (Schroder ISF) Global Equity Impact is the latest addition to Schroders’ impact-driven fund range and further leverages the expertise of impact pioneer BlueOrchard, part of the Schroders Group.
Schroders’ impact investment framework, which was built in close collaboration with BlueOrchard, last year received top ratings from BlueMark for its alignment with the Operating Principles for Impact Management. The fund will target companies whose products, services and operations are focused on solving societal and environmental challenges faced by individuals and industries in the coming decades.
Drawing on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), this Article 9 fund under SFDR1 will invest in companies across all sectors addressing key themes such as health and wellness, financial inclusion, sustainable infrastructure, and responsible consumption and production.
The Luxembourg-domiciled fund will have the dual outcome of generating a positive impact on society and attractive long-term returns for investors. Schroder ISF Global Equity Impact is a collaboration between Schroders’ US Small and Mid-Cap team and European Equity specialist team, and will be jointly managed by Joanna Wald and Paul Griffin.
Funds within Schroders’ impact-driven public equity range include, Schroder ISF Emerging Markets Equity Impact, Schroder ISF US Smaller Companies Impact, Schroder ISF Asian Equity Impact and Schroder ISF European Innovators.
Joanna Wald and Paul Griffin, Fund Managers at Schroders, commented:
“The UN SDGs outline urgent social and environmental problems that must be addressed in order to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for all. Due to the sheer magnitude of these challenges, we believe the necessary solutions cannot be achieved solely by governments and NGOs. The competitive dynamics and scrutiny of public markets rewards companies that can most efficiently generate solutions. Companies’ leadership in execution, agility and innovation creates solutions with the speed and scale necessary to address the UN SDGs.
“We identify companies whose technology, scientific expertise or market leadership bring prowess and innovation to address the UN SDGs. These companies operate at scale and in ways that are foundational to impact outcomes yet often underappreciated. We are active, long-term owners who can demonstrate significant contribution through continuous engagement. We measure impact over time and actively engage to enhance that impact. We believe these companies have the potential to offer strong returns to investors in line with their business activities. There is no compromise needed on performance.”
Schroder ISF Global Equity Impact is available to investors in Greece, Germany, France, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the UK and Switzerland.
1 Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 on Sustainability-related Disclosures in the Financial Services Sector