9 | Wealth & Finance, Wealth & Asset Management Awards 2024 Best Ethical Investment Management Firm 2024 For just shy of 30 years now, Epworth Investment Management Ltd has served as a dedicated investment manager catering to the needs of a number of churches, charities, and retail clients across the UK. As stewards of its investors’ money, the team here make investments that are meticulously chosen based on the Christian ethical criteria, meaning that they care about both people and the planet. Managing approximately £1bn worth of client assets, this firm always invests faithfully. Epworth is immensely proud to be wholly owned by the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church, or the CFB, which was established back in 1960. With almost 65 years of history on its side, the CFB stood as a pioneer of ethical investing far before it was seen as the fashionable thing to do. Today, Epworth manages all three aforementioned client groups using these same standards, ensuring that the difference it makes is a positive one in a landscape where, more often than not, this is not the case. The inspiration that Epworth takes from the CFB can be traced back to its forming of one of the UK’s first ethical invest committees back in 1974, this as a response to the support provided by London-listed companies for South Africa’s pro-apartheid Government and the voices of protest from CFB’s clients that followed. This has ultimately served as the basis for 50 years and counting’s worth of strategic investments that align with the Christian faith and cherish the diversity of all clients and stakeholders equally. Across its operation, Epworth is trusted with managing the money of some of the UK’s most respected and important charities. But its responsibilities far extend just financial returns, and by considering the impact that any investments made have on people and the planet in the long term, this team are ensuring that a client’s money is invested ethically, something that a price cannot be put on. Furthermore, in today’s business landscape, people are more likely to invest in something that is promoting positive change, making this a win-win scenario. Many investment firms claim to invest ethically, but what truly sets Epworth apart is the way in which it informs its ethical priorities. As CEO David Palmer tells us, “our approach recognises the power of our client’s voices in helping set the ethical priorities of the firm and seeks on a regular basis to gather the ethical insights and priorities of our clients and stakeholders.” This allows the team here to work towards identifying issues as they begin to emerge, foster increased engagement, and satisfy the personal ethical goals of clients. Detailing this approach, which begins with Epworth’s client management team, David tells us, “we produce a survey where the recipients can list the top ethical issues that concern their respective organisation. The results of these surveys are compiled and, through committee and consultation, collated into common ethical themes.” After this has taken place, Epworth brings the results to the Joint Advisory Committee on the Ethics of Investment, before a final priority order is set that adheres to both the necessary policies and Christian teaching. Things do not end here, and the priorities of the churches, charities, and retailers that Epworth partners with are uncovered further in review meetings held annually. This gives the firm a chance to demonstrate how the surveys it carries out shape the work that it does, as well as affording it a deeper insight into its clients wants, needs, and concerns. For David and the team, this personable approach is a major step forward in the field of ethical investing, setting a new gold standard where consulting with one’s clients is vital in making a real difference. The difference that Epworth makes can be seen in other ways too, with one defining accomplishment being its championing of climate action in the world of banking. In fact, Epworth’s Chief Responsibility Officer, Andrew Harper, was interviewed for ITV after it was revealed that HSBC was supporting expansionist oil and gas projects, thus going against its climate pledges. The team at Epworth escalated this by using the power of the press to encourage the company to change its ways, which it has subsequently agreed to do. Wholly passionate about ethical investing, Epworth Investment Management Ltd is continuing to leverage Christian teachings to pioneer lasting change for our planet and its people, making it more than deserving of being named as the Best Ethical Investment Management Firm 2024 – London. Contact: Simon Woolnough Company: Epworth Investment Management Ltd Web Address: https://epworthim.com/ P I L L A R S OUR THEOLOGICAL GROUNDING
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