Broadcaster and writer, Ben Fogle, gave the key note speeches at Cazenove Capital CI’s Annual Investment Seminars, taking the opportunity to explain to the audiences that investing which takes account of environmental, social and governance factors is rapidly growing in importance for investors, as well as being of continued importance for the future health of the planet and its inhabitants
Cazenove Capital CI’s Annual Investment Seminar, which was held in Guernsey, at the OGHon Wednesday 5 June and in Jersey at the Royal Yacht Hotel, Thursday 6 June, put ESG investing centre stage with Ben Fogle talking about the crucial role that sustainability must play in business if we are to create a prosperous future. He also talked about the things that motivate him and have helped him become a successful broadcaster and writer who has always placed environmental and social issues at the heart of his concerns and creativity.
“Sustainable investment is a vital aspect of the global drive for sustainability,” said Ben Fogle.
“It’s crucial that investment is directed towards environmentally and socially friendly businesses in order to combat issues such as climate change and habitat destruction.
“By putting ESG at the heart of its investment strategies, Cazenove Capital is helping to move all of us towards a sustainable future and I’m pleased that research shows us that more and more people are choosing the path of sustainable investment.”
Global growth in sustainable investment
As well as hearing from Ben, the audience, which numbered 350 across both islands, was welcomed by Chief Executive of Cazenove Capital CI, Julian Winser, in Guernsey and Client Director, Euan Dangerfield, in Jersey.
In their welcoming speeches, they talked about the growing trend for investors to choose sustainable investments.
“Schroders’ Global Investor Study, conducted between 20 March and 23 April 2018, found that investors want to see evidence that their assets are sustainable,” said Julian Winser.
“76% of investors felt that sustainable investing was more important than five years ago. 64% have increased their sustainable investmentsover the past five yearsand, importantly, 75% of millennials have increased their sustainable investments over the past five years.”
He closed by saying that: “As a responsible company, we use ESG as a framework to screen investments or assess risk in our investment decision making. ESG is a framework we use globally, across Cazenove and Schroders, to assist us in making future investing decisions. Using this method helps reduce portfolio risk, generates competitive investment returns and support our clients’ values on sustainable investing.
“Investors want to see corporate practices that reflect their personal values. Our success has been that our values match our investors’ and that we know how important ESG is to our clients. As an organisation, we are constantly looking to the future. It’s been a great year for us and our clients and we will continue investing and growing Cazenove Capital CI, with the aim of going from strength to strength.”
Focused on the long term
Euan Dangerfield opened the following day’s seminar in Jersey, at the Royal Yacht Hotel, and reiterated Julian’s speech by speaking about the many ways in which Cazenove Capital CI supports ESG globally.
Cazenove Capital’s policy is to integrate ESG considerations into its research and overall investment decisions across investment desks and asset classes.
He said: “We see ourselves as long-term stewards for our clients’ capital and so our focus is always on the long-term prospects for the assets in which we choose to invest for our clients.”
“Governance is a key issue alongside environmental and social issues, which is why we use ESG standards to provide another level of due diligence, to ensure we invest for the best interests of shareholders.
Investment speakers at the seminar included Caspar Rock, Chief Investment Officer, Dominic Liversedge, Portfolio Director, Cazenove Capital, and Charles Somers, Portfolio Manager, Schroders, London.
The event was over-subscribed and attended by invited guests from both intermediary businesses, consultancies and technology firms and clients.
The participating delegates showed keen interest in all that Cazenove Capital CI had already achieved through its ESG policy and integration. However, it wasn’t all about listening to speakers and the back-to-back one-day investment seminars ended with lively open discussions and question and answer sessions.
