St James's Place applies ESG standards framework to underlying funds

Implemented minimum criteria

Wealth manager St James's Place has introduced a minimum ESG criteria framework for all of its underlying portfolio managers in a bid to help the firm improve its own ethical, sustainable and governance standards.

Chris Ralph, chief investment officer at St James's Place, said the move had been initiated earlier this year in response to increased desire from clients to hold ESG-friendly portfolios. ESG has become an increasingly important investment criteria recently and research from Morgan Stanley has found 84% of asset owners are pursuing, or actively considering, incorporating ESG into their investment processes as a result. ESG drives outperformance as 'social' focus begins to see gains Ralph said: "We get asked about ESG on a regular basis. It is mentioned at every meeting I go to wher...