Engagement as a Third-Generation ESG Strategy: A Fair Pensions Perspective

How have pension funds reacted to the financial crisis with regards to becoming more responsible in their investment practices? Louise Rouse, Director of Investor Engagement at Fair Pensions, explores this topic in an exclusive interview with Finance IQ. She also discusses the recent Fair Pensions fund management survey, which showed that currently short-termism rules the markets, and offers her views on how this is likely to change in the short and medium term. Next she looks at how institutional investors might be able to pool together to be responsible investors, and whether companies issuing shares should bear the cost of making it easier for shareholders to be responsible investors, considering the significant logistical obstacles to voting as a cross-border shareholder. Finally, from an engagement point of view, one of the biggest developments has been the recent publication of the stewardship code. We ask what impact this is expected to have on engagement activity. Louise Rouse will be moderating a panel on Engagement - a Third-Generation ESG Strategy at the ESG Strategies and Sustainable Investor conference in Belgium from 18th - 20th October. For booking details, please visit: www.esgstrategies.com, call +44 (0) 207 368 9300 or email enquire@iqpc.co.uk.