Sustainable risk management
As long-term investors, we acknowledge that sustainability risks, if not adequately managed, can impact the performance of investments. It is part of the Bruellan values to integrate the analysis of such sustainability risks into our investment process, whether they be of an environmental, social or governance nature.
To implement our philosophy, we combine a number of responsible investment methodologies throughout our investment process.
ESG screenings (norm-based screenings, sector restrictions, “worst-in-class” filters) are applied to exclude companies from the investable universe.
ESG integration is then applied to investment analysis and decisions, adopting the definition provided by the UN Principles for Responsible Investment – namely “the explicit and systematic inclusion of ESG issues in investment analysis and decisions”. This means that, in strict adherence to the Bruellan investment process, our investment teams perform both financial and ESG information analysis on any potential investee company, to identify material ESG risk factors that might compound financial risks. Once identified, our teams then assess their potential impact on company performance. Investment decisions will thus include considerations of both financial and material ESG factors.
Stewardship
We practice stewardship so as to extend the implementation of our sustainable investment philosophy, with the ultimate goal of better protecting and enhancing the assets entrusted to us by our clients. Our stewardship effort is carried out through two complementary tools: engagement and proxy voting.
While the ESG engagement effort can take various forms, most often through private meetings with the respective companies, we strive to always establish a two-way dialogue and avoid the pitfall of lecturing our investees.
Exercising our rights to vote is the most direct way of holding company managements accountable and aligned with our interests as a minority shareholder. As such, this tool is instrumental in expressing our stewardship effort.
Scope
Unless specified, the set of commitments and processes described above apply only to the funds managed by the Bruellan Asset Management team and classified as Art. 8 under the EU Sustainable Financial Disclosure Regulation, or the equivalent strategies registered under the Swiss jurisdiction: