Video interview: EQ Investors’ Kennedy unveils Future Leaders range

EQ Investors launch low-cost model portfolio range

EQ Investors is building on their commitment to be responsible investors with the launch of a low-cost model portfolio range, ESG Clarity can exclusively reveal

The Future Leaders Portfolios invest in passive funds that are socially responsible in order to keep costs down and carry eight different risk levels.

They will be aligned to the Paris climate agreement targets to ensure a low carbon footprint and have overweight positions in healthcare, clean energy and green bonds.

They focus on top quartile ESG vehicles including highly liquid ETFs and tracker funds and invest across all asset classes and geographies.

Managed by Damien Lardoux, head of responsible/impact investing at EQ, will typically have an ongoing charges figure of 0.18%.

Lardoux said: “We’ve been a pioneer in the impact investing space over the last eight years. The launch of the Future Leaders Portfolios sees us building on that reputation whilst responding to the changing market we work in to deliver a very competitively priced multi-asset passive solution.

 “Our ambition is to evolve the portfolios as the universe of passive strategies increases – this is just the start of the journey.”

The group runs a range of bespoke and model portfolios, with around £1bn in assets under management, with the aim of serving the wider community at their core, which includes the £250m Positive Impact range that aims to invest in companies helping solve global problems. See the attached video interview between editor of ESG Clarity Natalie Kenway and Sophie Kennedy, head of investment at EQ Investors and ESG Clarity editorial panellist, who discuss the new Future Leaders range and how it differs from the group’s existing portfolios.

John Spiers, chief executive of EQ, also commented on the launch: “We have seen increasing demand from investors with a real emphasis on sustainable considerations but with a low-cost passive mindset. With its experience in impact investing, we believe our responsible investing team, led by Damien is perfectly placed to deliver a market-leading solution.”   

Avatar

Natalie Kenway

Natalie is editor in chief at MA Financial covering ESG Clarity, Portfolio Adviser and International Adviser. She was previously global head of ESG insight for ESG Clarity and has been an investment journalist...