27 Feb 2018
Eastspring Investments becomes Signatory to the Principles for Responsible Investment
Singapore, 27 February 2018 – Eastspring Investments (Eastspring), the USD 170 billion Asian investment management arm of Prudential plc, today announced it has signed the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment.
“Adopting the PRI and integrating environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) considerations into our investment decisions is part of our fiduciary responsibility to our clients,” said Guy Strapp, Chief Executive Officer, Eastspring.
“We have joined a global community of more than 1,900 asset owners, investment managers and service providers who are working to create an efficient and sustainable financial system that will reward long-term responsible investment. We firmly believe that such a system is essential for long-term value creation to which Eastspring and our clients aspire,” said Mr Strapp.
Fiona Reynolds, Managing Director of PRI said, “We commend Eastspring’s commitment to sustainable investing and are very pleased that they have chosen to join the PRI.
“In recent years, we have seen strong interest in ESG across Asia and we hope that other Asia based investment managers will follow Eastspring’s lead in embracing sustainable investment strategies. We look forward to working with Eastspring in the years to come,” said Ms Reynolds.
“We are in the process of implementing a formal and consistent ESG focus across all asset classes, research and investment decision-making, with our emphasis on the long-term benefits of our clients,” said Virginie Maisonneuve, Chief Investment Officer, Eastspring.
“As a leading active asset manager in the region with a long-term bias, it is our responsibility to help individuals and institutions build a financially sound future, while playing a positive role in the development of capital markets and encouraging strong corporate governance,” Ms Maisonneuve added.
The PRI is an independent body that encourages investors to use responsible investment as a way to enhance returns and better manage risks. It has more than 1,900 signatories, from more than 50 countries, representing asset managers, asset owners and service providers, and approximately USD 70 trillion in assets (as at 30 April 2017).
END
About Eastspring Investments
Eastspring Investments, part of Prudential Corporation Asia, is Prudential's asset management business in Asia. With operations in 10 Asian markets as well as offices in North America and Europe, we have almost 2,500 employees and USD 170 billion in assets under management (as of 30 June 2017).
For more information on Eastspring Investments, please visit: www.eastspring.com
About the PRI
The six Principles for Responsible Investment are voluntary and offer a menu of possible actions for incorporating ESG issues into investment practice. They were developed by investors, for investors in 2005 at the behest of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. In implementing them, signatories who are asset owners, asset managers and service providers contribute to developing a more sustainable global financial system. They have more than 1,900 signatories, from more than 50 countries, representing asset managers, asset owners and service providers, and approximately USD 70 trillion at the end of April 2017.
For more information on the PRI, please visit: https://www.unpri.org/
Principle 1: We will incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes.
Principle 2: We will be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices.
Principle 3: We will seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest.
Principle 4: We will promote acceptance and implementation of the principles within the investment industry.
Principle 5: We will work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the principles.
Principle 6: We will each report on our activities and progress towards implementing the principles.