Legg Mason Affiliate Martin Currie Achieves Top ESG Rating For Second Year In A Row
The Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) assess responsible investment activities across the industry each year. Their review of 2017 has been published and Martin Currie has achieved A+ ratings for its responsible investment activities.
For the second year running, the PRI has awarded Martin Currie, an investment affiliate of Legg Mason (NYSE:LM) an A+ (highest performance band) in all three of its top-level categories: ‘Strategy and Governance’, ‘Incorporation’ and ‘Active Ownership’. Additionally, across all sub categories, Martin Currie is in the top quartile of the investment manager peer group. Notably Martin Currie is in the top 9% for Integration – confirmation that ESG is truly embedded in the firm’s investment process.
Martin Currie’s firm-wide commitment to stewardship and differentiated approach to ESG are vital to achieving the top ratings in each category:
|
A+ |
Strategy and Governance – We firmly believe in strong internal policies, goals and transparency around our ESG activities; and in promoting best practice with peers, clients and policymakers. Living the values through the responsible management of our business is a critical aspect of this. |
|
A+ |
Incorporation – ESG analysis is fully embedded in our investment process, forming an integral part of the assessment of risks and opportunities, alongside traditional financial considerations. This is implemented directly by the portfolio managers, with oversight from our Head of Stewardship and ESG – an industry-leading expert. |
|
A+ |
Active Ownership – As stewards of our clients’ capital we take active ownership very seriously and will engage with companies when we have identified material ESG issues. In 2017, we participated in 19 collaborative engagement initiatives and 250 private ones. In addition, in April 2017, David Sheasby, Head of Stewardship and ESG at Martin Currie, was appointed to the PRI ESG Engagement Advisory Committee. His appointment was prompted by our extensive experience of engaging with investee companies. |
David Sheasby, Head of Stewardship and ESG, comments:
‘Retaining our A+ PRI ratings is excellent news and validation of the time and effort invested in further developing our stewardship and ESG capabilities. In 2017, we employed a big-four consultancy to carry out a gap analysis on our ESG approach; built a new internal ESG hub and enhanced our internal training programme; promoted the merits of responsible investment at several global events and delivered bespoke ESG training to clients and consultants. All this was in addition to a busy year of company engagement and proxy voting. I am pleased to say this pace of progress is unwavering at Martin Currie.’
Results history
The table below provides a summary of Martin Currie’s PRI ratings and demonstrates our commitment to continuous improvement.
|
Result year |
Reporting period |
Strategy and Governance |
|
Incorporation |
|
Active Ownership |
|
|
2018 |
(1 Jan 17 - 31 Dec 17) |
A+ |
_ |
A+ |
_ |
A+ |
_ |
|
2017 |
(1 Jan 16 - 31 Dec 16) |
A+ |
_ |
A+ |
_ |
A+ |
↑ |
|
2016 |
(1 Jan 15 - 31 Dec 15) |
A+ |
_ |
A+ |
↑ |
A |
_ |
|
2015 |
(1 Jan 14 - 31 Dec 14) |
A+ |
↑ |
A |
_ |
A |
_ |
|
2014 |
(1 Jan 13 - 31 Dec 13) |
A |
_ |
A |
_ |
A |
_ |
A copy of the PRI Assessment is available upon request. The PRI Transparency Report for Martin Currie and PRI Assessment Methodology are available to download from www.unpri.org.
For further information, please Martin Currie’s Stewardship Annual Report.
Contact:
Kahrene Lawrie, Marketing Manager at Martin Currie on 0131 479 5892. Klawrie@martincurrie.com or visit our media centre at www.martincurrie.com/media_centre
About Martin Currie
Martin Currie is an active equity specialist, crafting high-conviction portfolios for client-focused solutions. Investment excellence is at the heart of our business. Central to this philosophy is a stock-driven approach, based on in-depth fundamental research, active ownership of companies and skilled portfolio construction. As an affiliate of Legg Mason, we also have the backing of one of the world’s largest asset management firms.
About Legg Mason
Guided by a mission of Investing to Improve Lives,TM Legg Mason helps investors globally achieve better financial outcomes by expanding choice across investment strategies, vehicles and investor access through independent investment managers with diverse expertise in equity, fixed income, alternative and liquidity investments. Legg Mason’s assets under management are $745 billion as of June 30, 2018. To learn more, visit our website, our newsroom, or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.
Important information
This information is issued and approved by Martin Currie Investment Management Limited (‘MCIM’). It does not constitute investment advice. The information has been compiled with considerable care to ensure its accuracy. But no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made to its accuracy or completeness. Martin Currie has procured any research or analysis contained for its own use. Any opinions expressed are subject to change without notice.
All investments involve risk, including loss of principal. Past results are no guarantee of future results.
©2018 Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC, member FINRA, SIPC. Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC, and Martin Currie Investment Management Limited are subsidiaries of Legg Mason, Inc. Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) is not affiliated with Legg Mason, Inc.
