In our “Sustainable Voices” series, we aim to talk with a diverse set of leaders tackling climate change and sustainability challenges, highlighting their journeys into the field and offering advice for others looking to take action. In this installment, we spoke with Stavros Koutsantonis, chief operating officer and managing director of agricultural investment at New Hampshire-based Conservation Resources, a private…
DORE board agrees terms of cash acquisition
The Downing Renewables & Infrastructure Trust (DORE) board has agreed the terms of a cash acquisition by Bagnall Energy. The offer for the trust comes at a 23.62% premium to closing share price. DORE’s discount to NAV had widened from 3.6% at the start of January 2023 to 28.7% on the 19 June, the day before the offer was made….
Jupiter shares rise on £100m CCLA acquisition
Jupiter Fund Management has snapped up CCLA Investment Management for £100m, subject to regulatory approvals. The deal will add £15bn in assets under management, run on behalf of charities, religious institutions and local authorities, when it completes before the end of 2025. CCLA will retain its brand, investment teams and client engagement model to ensure client continuity. Jupiter said in…
EFRAG Considers 66% Reduction in European Sustainability Reporting Standards Datapoints
The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) revealed that it is currently considering changes to the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) underlying the EU’s CSRD regulation that would reduce datapoints reported by companies by approximately two-thirds, and include a “drastic decision” to eliminate voluntary disclosure, or “may” datapoints. The plans were released with the publication of EFRAG’s “Amended ESRS Exposure Draft,”…
Sumitomo to Facilitate Over $10 Billion in Clean Energy Investments in UK
The UK government announced that it has reached a new partnership deal with Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation aimed at channeling major investments in clean energy and infrastructure over the next decade. Under the new partnership, Sumitomo said that it will aim to facilitate £7.5 billion (USD$10.2 billion) of investment into key UK infrastructure and clean energy projects by 2035. Investments will…
EU Lawmakers Reject EUDR’s Country Risk System in New Setback to Deforestation Regulation
Lawmakers in the European Parliament voted on Wednesday to reject a benchmarking system categorizing countries by their level of deforestation risk, marking a potential new setback for the new EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), aimed at ensuring that products imported to or exported from EU markets no longer contribute to deforestation and forest degradation globally, including concerns that the law could…
EQ Investors ends sale conversations to remain independent
EQ Investors has decided to remain independent after conversations with several interested parties. Our sister publication Portfolio Adviser exclusively revealed on 3 April it was exploring “strategic partnerships” with larger firms as philanthropist John Spiers, who acquired the firm a decade ago, said passing his shares to a charitable foundation may not be the right path for the sustainable investment manager’s future. However,…
UK retail sustainable fund changes: Assessing the impact of SDR in the first half of 2025
If you have found your head somewhat spinning when thinking about sustainable investment (and related) fund options recently you are not alone… The following analysis highlights changes in UK the sustainable, responsible and ethical fund market during the first half of 2025, when the Sustainability Disclosure Regime (SDR)’s naming and marketing rules came into force. So far this year we…
What does the ‘new’ flexible working look like?
Five years ago, the world was adjusting to remote working after being instructed to ‘stay at home, save lives’. The Covid 19 pandemic meant governments laid down rules encouraging workers to avoid travelling to the office where possible. A new dawn emerged with many firms embracing flexible working practices even after social distancing rules were relaxed – businesses could adapt and cope…
Quilter Cheviot rebrands Climate Assets fund
Quilter Cheviot has renamed its Climate Assets fund range after securing a ‘Sustainability Focus’ label as part of the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) regime. The range, which consists of Balance and Growth mandates, will be rebranded as Quilter Cheviot Sustainable Opportunities, from 8 September. Claudia Quiroz, head of sustainable investment at Quilter Cheviot and lead manager of the funds,…