FirstChoice for sustainable investment
Brian Bissaker
In an exclusive retail distribution agreement, Australian investors have been given access to Al Gore’s sustainable investment fund management company through ColonialFirstState’s (CFS) platform FirstChoice.
Generation Investment Management uses sustainability research in its selection process for buying high quality companies for the purpose of long-term investing and was co-founded by the former US vice-president and former Goldman Sachs Asset Management chief executive David Blood.
The fund manager invests in long-only, global public equities with a concentrated portfolio of 30 to 50 companies.
Through the CFS deal, retail investors will have exclusive access to the Generation Global Sustainability Fund, which CFS chief executive Brian Bissaker said provided an exciting investment opportunity for clients.
“Generation has truly integrated sustainability as a key part of their fundamental investment analysis,” he said.
“Through this alliance we are seeking to meet increasing investor and adviser demand for investment opportunities focused on performance and long-term business sustainability.”
According to Generation, sustainability issues can impact a company’s ability to generate returns and therefore must be fully integrated with fundamental equity analysis for superior long-term investment results.
The fund will be available on FirstChoice from September, with inclusion on other platforms possible later in the year.
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