‘Under The Bonnet’ is a regular feature in RIAA’s monthly newsletter which features a Q&A style interview with a RIAA member so that members and the wider investment industry can get to know the member a little better. Each edition of the newsletter which feature a different member from our diverse membership base of over 300 responsible investors.
Under The Bonnet
Harbour Asset Management – December 2021
Harbour Asset Management is a New Zealand based asset manager offering portfolio management and advisory services to KiwiSaver funds, charitable trusts, iwi, government institutions, corporate superannuation funds and financial advisers. RIAA spoke with Jorge Waayman, Harbour’s Manager of ESG Research about its recently certified funds, and trends they’re seeing grip the sustainable investment landscape.
AMP Capital is a global investment manager and is part of the AMP Group, which has operated for over 170 years. It now manages AU$190 billion on behalf of its clients, across a range of single sector and diversified funds. RIAA spoke to Head of Global Listed Real Estate, James Maydew about the investment manager’s newly RIAA certified Global Property Securities fund, and its commitment to responsible investment in real assets.
Ethical Investment Advisers – June 2021
Ethical Investment Advisers (EIA) is a financial advisory firm that pioneered ethical investment in Australia. Operating for over 10 years, it continues to innovate and create ethical investment solutions. RIAA spoke to director Louise Edkins about the firm’s rich history and where she sees the future of ethical financial advice heading.
Robeco is an international asset manager offering an extensive range of active investments, from equities to bonds, with $AU279 billion in assets under management as at end of 2020. RIAA spoke with Engagement Specialist Peter van der Werf about Robeco’s extensive work on biodiversity and natural capital.
HOPE Housing is a not-for-profit fund manager that helps essential workers like nurses, teachers, police, fire fighters, paramedics, cleaners and transport workers own a better home closer to work, by providing shared equity funding towards the initial purchase. The past 12 months has seen these quiet achievers receive overdue recognition, as the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of essential workers to our communities. RIAA spoke with Tim Buskens, CEO at HOPE Housing about its upcoming offering.
Impact Investment Group – October 2020
Impact Investment Group is a leading Australian impact investment funds manager with a mission to shift capital towards investments that blend financial returns with deep social and environmental impact. The group’s record shows successful investment opportunities in commercial real estate, renewable energy infrastructure and venture capital. RIAA hears from CEO Daniel Madhavan on IIG’s unique experience in the Australasian impact investment space, and where the group and indeed the market is headed.
Legg Mason is a global asset manager, managing over AUD$1.1 trillion globally across equities, fixed income, alternatives and multi-asset strategies. Corporate engagement is a major pillar of Legg Mason’s responsible investment strategy, and the company’s specialist investment manager Martin Currie is an active equity specialist, crafting high-conviction portfolios for client-focused solutions. RIAA hears from David Sheasby, Head of Stewardship & ESG, on Martin Currie’s insights on the future of engagement and its own approach to staying on top of critical issues.
Altiorem is a not-for-profit library and resource centre that helps people understand the role finance must play in addressing sustainability challenges and building a better future. Launched last month, Altiorem aims to help a new generation of leaders gain a solid understanding of critical sustainability issues and their relevance to business and finance. RIAA hears from Pablo Berrutti, founder of Altiorem on the success of the platform just a few weeks in.
Maple-Brown Abbott – April 2020
Maple-Brown Abbott specialises in the management of investment portfolios across Australian equities, Asia Pacific ex-Japan equities and global listed infrastructure securities. A signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI) for the past 12 years, it has a longstanding commitment to ESG integration and engagement. RIAA hears from Natasha McKean, ESG Investment Analyst on Maple-Brown Abbott’s responsible investment approach.
Teachers Mutual Bank Limited – December 2019
Teachers Mutual Bank Limited is one of Australia’s largest mutual banks, comprising four brands: the original Teachers Mutual Bank, UniBank, Firefighters Mutual Bank and Health Professionals Bank. They have over 200,000 members and have more than $8 billion in assets. We spoke with Corin Millais, Manager – Ethical Business Strategy, about TMBL’s approach to and initiatives around responsible investment.
Impact Architects – September 2019
Impact Architects is an impact investment facilitator working across Australia and New Zealand. They bring the social purpose sector and the investment community together by designing, structuring and facilitating impact investment deals that drive mission aligned positive impact for people and planet. RIAA spoke with co-founders Clive Pedley and Iyanthi Wijayanayake.
Ausbil Investment Management – July 2019
Ausbil Investment Management Limited is an Australian investment manager, managing Australian equities for large superannuation funds, institutional investors, trusts and retail clients. RIAA spoke with Måns Carlsson-Sweeny, Head of ESG Research, about Ausbil’s approach to responsible investment and his work to improve the role investors play in promoting and upholding human rights.
Crescent Wealth is Australia’s leading Islamic superannuation and investment fund, whose mission is to ensure all Australians can protect and grow their retirement wealth without compromising their core values, and beliefs. RIAA speaks to CEO Talal Yassine about the fund, its unique approach to responsible investment and growth strategy
State Street Global Advisers – February 2019
State Street Global Advisors is the investment management arm of State Street Corporation. ESG investing is central to its mission of investing responsibly to enable economic prosperity and social progress. RIAA hears from Rakhi Kumar, Head of ESG Investments and Asset Stewardship around State Street’s responsible investment work.