Brits determined to make profit without compromising principles

Twenty-five years on since the launch of Stewardship Brits continue to rate the importance of ethical investment, according to new research from Friends Provident.

The study showed nearly three quarters of Brits (74%) agree it is important that companies take social, ethical and environmental issues seriously.

Further to this over half (54%) think ethical investing is far more important than it was 25 years ago when the UK was emerging from a recession.

Looking back 25 years there was civil unrest in the UK with the miners' strike kicking off in March and lasting a whole year. In 1984 Friends Provident was the first company in the UK to offer retail ethical investment when it launched the Stewardship fund range whereby people where given the option to invest with a conscience and put their money into socially responsible hands.

Over the last 25 years the UK economy has change greatly but the importance of social responsibility has remained constant. The survey from Friends Provident revealed people today expect companies to act responsibly. Some of the top ethical concerns people have include pollution of land, sea and air (35%), energy conservation (30%), and climate change (33%).

Trevor Matthews, chief executive officer at Friends Provident said: "Without a doubt ethical issues are on Brits' minds today more than ever. Many people take an ethical approach to their finances by avoiding investing in companies that are not socially responsible. We are seeing this trend continue into people's investing habits with over half prepared to accept a lower return on their investments if it means investing in companies that are socially responsible. It's no longer just about individuals - the media and the corporate world has contributed to the huge awareness campaign, and celebrity endorsement has widened this further. People are now investing with care, and realising that you don't have to compromise your principles to make a profit."