Martin Currie recognised for Environmental, Social and Governance Investing by Principles of Responsible Investment

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Franklin Templeton

Simrita Virk

Martin Currie recognised for Environmental, Social and Governance Investing by Principles of Responsible Investment

Supported by the United Nations, PRI awards five-star rating due to active stewardship.

February 26, 2024– Martin Currie, the active equity specialist with AUD $31 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2023, has been awarded the highest possible rating by the Principles of Responsible Investment (PRI), the world’s leading proponent of responsible investing.

Martin Currie was awarded a five-star rating across all categories relevant to its investment activities.

“This independent endorsement of Martin Currie’s approach to sustainability is a result of our collaborative investor-led model of stewardship and implementation of industry best practices,” said David Sheasby, Martin Currie’s Head of Stewardship and Sustainability.

The recognition of the firm’s global active stewardship efforts extends to Melbourne-based Martin Currie Australia (MCA), where investors can access 15 strategies across multi-sector, Australian and global equities through managed funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Reece Birtles, Chief Investment Officer for MCA, said, “Since becoming signatories in 2009, we have made significant advancements in our environmental, social and governance capabilities and our interactions with ASX-listed companies.

“We are constantly looking at new ways to improve and bring a greater awareness to our investee companies of social issues such as First Nations people, work safety, modern slavery and data privacy, alongside environmental issues such as net zero and biodiversity, and best practice on governance,” Birtles said.

Martin Currie’s PRI Ratings

In 2023, Martin Currie achieved 5-star ratings across the PRI’s modules, which includes the ‘Public Governance and Strategy,’ and ‘Confidence building measures’ modules that apply to all asset managers. It also received a five-star rating in the category of ‘Direct – Listed equity- Active Fundamental,’ which is specific to the equity asset class.

A signatory to the PRI since 2009, Martin Currie employs an active approach to stewardship. This means the investment teams are directly responsible for stewardship and sustainability analysis, engagement and voting. Martin Currie’s philosophy of active stewardship is that investment decision-makers are best equipped to understand the risk and opportunities that arise from sustainability issues. Martin Currie’s investment teams employ engagement and proxy voting as powerful tools to bring about positive change at both the company and industry level.

Additionally, Martin Currie’s commitment and approach to transparency and reporting these activities to clients has contributed to their ratings from the PRI. Martin Currie was awarded the highest possible ratings of A+ from the PRI in the 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 calendar years. In 2021, the firm was awarded two 5-star ratings and one 4-star rating reflecting the new and revised reporting framework.

Ends-

Copies of Martin Currie’s 2022 Assessment Report and Transparency Report are available online.

Contact

For all media queries, please contact:
Simrita Virk, Capital Outcomes
For all media queries, please contact:
E: [email protected]

About Martin Currie

Martin Currie is a global active equity specialist with leading credentials in sustainable investing, crafting high-conviction portfolios for client-focused solutions. Investment excellence is at the heart of its business. Central to its philosophy is a stock-driven approach, based on in-depth fundamental research, active ownership and engagement and skilled portfolio construction. Martin Currie achieved a 5-star rating in all categories relevant to its investment activities under the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) 2023. As a specialist investment manager of Franklin Resources Inc., it also has the backing of Franklin Templeton, one of the world’s largest asset management firms.

About Franklin Templeton

Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templeton’s mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers specialisation on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives and multi-asset solutions. With offices in more than 30 countries and approximately 1,300 investment professionals, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and approximately AUD$2.1 trillion in assets under management as of June 30, 2023.

For more information, please visit https://www.franklintempleton.com.au/

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Martin Currie Investment Management Limited, registered in Scotland (no SC066107).

Martin Currie Inc, incorporated in New York and having a UK branch registered in Scotland (no SF000300), 5 Morrison Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8BH. Tel: (44) 131 229 5252 Fax: (44) 131 222 2532

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