Facebook icon Twitter icon Forward icon

inSRI - Newsletter 4

Welcome to the fourth 'inSRI' newsletter - where the focus is unashamedly 'what has been going on behind the scenes in sriServices' in Q1 2015' (beyond nursing colds and puppy training!)?  And for those of you who I have not spoken to yet this year - to wish you a very belated but happy New Year and a fast pass to Spring!

Please note this newsletter is intended for UK Finanical Services industry professionals only.

Fund EcoMarket SRI Database - plannned improvements

SRI and ethical funds have a long history of hiding their light under a bushel.  Publicly available information all too often either ignores what makes these investments special (and therefore why a client might buy them), under or over-promises - or is so complicated that it can be like wading through treacle!

In an attempt to progress things sriServices works with various partners and puts out lots of free information - which as you probably know - involves offering 'free to use' online tools.  

So now, three years on and after regular updates to 'version 1' - we are currently working on v2.0 of our database.  

The new extended version will be more open - and more of a central hub of 'ethical/ sustainable/ environmental/ responsible' investment information.  It will of course remain free to use, very adviser friendly and use our popular 'SRI Styles' segmentation system.

But in order for this to make sense longer term we need as many people & companies as possible to be involved. 

Our work is fully funded, thanks to the kind support of our early sponsors - but to make what we do bigger, better and louder - and to underpin sriServices' independence - we are looking for the following support:  

Fund managers can add fund details and links - on a 'pay per fund' basis. (Although all SRI UT/OEIC, Life, Pension and IT funds are listed on the database only 'supporters' can add detailed information and links to their fund entries).
Sponsorship options are available for those looking to raise their profile further on the database homepage.
For IFAs - our 'Find Adviser' button is available for a nominal fee (subject to criteria) and will also be on the home page of the new version of the database. 

If you would like to be part of this please contact julia@sriServices.co.uk .

Moneyfacts feature: 'SRI: Play Ball or Play Chicken'

In January, sriServices again contributed to 'Investment Life & Pensions Moneyfacts' magasine with a feaure.  The article showcased some 2014 SRI highlights and encouraged advisers to look again at the SRI market in 2015. 

It concluded that in 2015 advisers will have the choice of 'playing ball or playing chicken' - given the growing profile of environmental, social, governance and ethical issues. 

The feature - 'Ready to Play Ball?'  is available here.

March 2015 Investment Life & Pension Moneyfacts - adviser SRI support feature

The March edition of ILP Moneyfacts will carry a further SRI feature, in which I highlight the growing support services that are now available for advisers who are interested in SRI.

This will be made available via the link opposite - once published. 

 

SRI literature for advisers

Setting up the 'literature directory' on sriServices.co.uk is my way of helping support (& keep track of!) useful SRI & ethical information and resources. 

This is now split into three pages: information that I have helped to create, other great 'externally' produced material - and previous versions of this newsletter. 

Recent 'literature' that I have been involved in includes: Moneyfacts and Capita articles, the  new Parmenion 'fact finding' portfolio selector and the RSMR SRI Matrix.

Recent 'external / other' documents include:

  • The new, revised Friends' Stewardship Policy
  • New Pictet Environmental Megatrends literature
  • An excellent (and very short) new SAMRobecco 'Sustainable Investment' video

Please enjoy reading them, pass them on to your colleagues and of course - do let me know of other items that may be good to include!

Revisiting what sriServices & Fund EcoMarket 'do'

Founder Julia Dreblow has worked in SRI since 1996 having first become interested in this area in 1991...   and over the years has worked with, for and alongside SRI/ethical product providers, fund managers, advisers, the media, industry body UKSIF and numerous 'experts'.  

sriServices - and our database Fund EcoMarket - is all about '(ethically) oiling the cogs' of this market - and helping it to expand. The following offers a taste of what we do:

As ever, your comments and suggestions are welcome!

Best wishes to all,

Julia