KBI Global Investors (KBIGI) has been awarded three A+ ratings by the United Nations- backed Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) for the third year running.

The Dublin-based asset manager received the top ratings for its approach to responsible investment and management of equities.

The awards included A+ ratings for listed equity incorporation, which rates how the firm incorporates ESG criteria into its investment processes; strategy and governance of responsible investing; and listed equity active ownership, which examines how the firm employs responsible investing principles in its proxy voting and engagement activity.

Eoin Fahy, head of responsible investing at KBI Global Investors, warned that whilst many investment managers were moving to strengthen their ESG commitment, investors were finding it difficult to identify which managers have a real commitment to responsible Investing, and which were ‘simply following the herd’.

“The trio of A+ ratings we have secured underlines the strength of our proposition and credentials in this key area and sends a very clear message to the market and to our clients; that our commitment is real, deeply entrenched in the firm’s investing culture and part of our very DNA,” Fahy said.

The PRI, which is supported by the United Nations, works to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and help investors incorporate these factors into investment and ownership decisions.