Threadneedle named leading SRI fund manager in 2010

Threadneedle Asset Management has been named Leading Fund Management Firm for Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) in the latest Thomson Reuters Extel/UKSIF Socially Responsible Investing & Sustainability Survey.

The 2010 Survey represents the views of over 450 investment professionals from 16 countries, making it the most extensive assessment of SRI in the European investment community. It covers 254 investment management firms and 42 brokerage firms/research houses. The win builds on Threadneedle's third place ranking last year. 

Leigh Harrison, Head of Equities at Threadneedle, said: "The evaluation of governance, social, environmental and ethical practices are an increasingly important part of the investment world and a growing concern for many of our clients.  We have a well established and effective team in this area and their work forms an important part of our research and investment process.  We are pleased to win this award and to have the strength of our team in this area recognised by the industry."

Adam Ognall, Deputy Chief Executive, UKSIF, added: "Congratulations to Threadneedle for its top ranking as leading fund management firm for SRI in the 2010 Extel Awards. This reflects Threadneedle's commitment to SRI and ongoing leadership in the area.  The results of the Extel Survey confirm the increasing importance being placed by fund managers on integrating sustainability analysis into their investment processes."

Therese Niklasson, Head of Governance and Responsible Investment at Threadneedle, said: "We are delighted to be awarded  Leading SRI Fund Management Firm by ThomsonExtel and UKSIF. It acknowledges our success over the past few years in developing a value-adding model and approach for ESG integration. It's encouraging to see mainstream investors across the board adopting increasingly sophisticated methods of drawing value from sustainability integration and applying them to all levels of the business including investment research, client relationships and portfolio holdings".

Threadneedle is an active investor, believing in maximising investment returns through the pursuit of good governance and responsible investment practices. Therefore environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues are embedded in our mainstream investment philosophy including stock reviews, company meetings, engagements, proxy voting and themes research.

Threadneedle's SRI policy follows governance and responsible investment principles, drafted in line with a number of external organisation's recommendations, including the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI), of which Threadneedle is a founding member, the FRC Stewardship Code and the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

A leading long-term asset manager, 86% of Threadneedle's UK authorised funds out-performed their peer group over 3 years and 81% over five years.