Cockburn Lucas, a Nottingham based investment and retirement specialist, has become the latest independent advisory firm to recommend the EQ Positive Impact Portfolios to its client base.
Launched in 2012, the risk-rated portfolios are managed by Damien Lardoux, and designed for investors who want a well-diversified portfolio that aims to deliver strong financial returns over the long term; prefer to invest in industries and businesses that aim to deliver social and environmental benefits through their activities; are concerned about the damage that certain industries and types of business can cause to society and the physical environment.
The portfolios make use of EQ’s independent research team which conducts extensive analysis, fund selection and impact due diligence. The portfolios contain typically 15-20 socially responsible funds, covering a range of styles, asset classes and fund management groups.
Damien Lardoux, Portfolio Manager at EQ Investors, says: “In the last twelve months, we have seen a huge increase in demand from advisers for the portfolios. We are pleased to say that growth has come from significant performance gains as was capital inflows – the portfolios have beaten their benchmark for five consecutive years.
“Impact investing is an evolving field, and we are constantly seeking to improve our own methodology for screening and selecting impact funds. The latest development in our own approach has been to adopt the UN Sustainable Development Goals as a framework for identifying and reporting on impact. They represent a huge opportunity for forward-looking and innovative companies – just the type we want to capture within the portfolios.”
Mike Horseman, Managing Director of Cockburn Lucas, adds: “After extensive due diligence, we are delighted to welcome EQ Investors as a strategic partner to our panel of Discretionary Managers and to be able to offer a tried-and-tested range of Positive Impact portfolios. This service aims to meet increased demand from both existing and new clients wanting to ensure access to sustainable investment opportunities without comprising on price or performance.”
EQ’s Positive Impact Portfolios are available on the following investment platforms: Alliance Trust, Aviva, Novia, Nucleus, Parmenion, Standard Life, Transact and 7IM.
