The Perennial Better Future Strategy, an actively-managed portfolio focused on small and mid-cap companies shaping a better future, has been appointed to manage a $100 million mandate from Mercer Investments.
Perennial said the appointment demonstrated Mercer’s confidence in Perennial’s Better Future approach to sustainable investment.
Perennial Better Future portfolio manager, Damian Cottier, said: “It is pleasing to be recognised for our differentiated and authentic approach to environmental, social and governance (ESG) and sustainable investing.
“We are leveraging Perennial’s large and experienced investment team to find companies that are shaping a better future while pursuing strong, consistent returns for our investors. In this way, we are empowering investors and companies that are seeking to shape a better future.”
While more traditional ESG or sustainable-focused funds were mainly concerned with negative screening, the Perennial Better Future Strategy had a significant portion of the portfolio invested in companies which were focused on addressing global sustainability challenges.
These companies were often operating in global markets in areas that improved environmental or social outcomes such as healthcare, education, renewable energy, technology improving energy efficiency or resource use, as well as technology improving occupational health and safety outcomes.
“Mercer’s significant commitment to Perennial Better Future is a vote of confidence in our process and approach to sustainable investment.
“We are pleased to be recognised for our performance track record and authentic ESG-first investment strategy, which includes our proprietary in-house environment, social, governance and engagement scoring system, and our dedicated company engagement to improve ESG outcomes in small and mid-cap ASX listed companies.”
