Utmost Group becomes a signatory to the UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment

Utmost Group plc, a leading provider of insurance and savings solutions, announces that it is a signatory of the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (“PRI”). This demonstrates the Group’s commitment to including sustainability factors in its investment decisions and ownership.

Responsible investing is one of the four pillars of Utmost Group’s sustainability strategy, in which the Group has committed to increase the proportion of its investments in sustainable assets. Becoming a signatory to the PRI demonstrates our commitment to this pillar and encourages investments that contribute to prosperous and inclusive societies for current and future generations, in line with the Group’s long-term mission. The Group has previously announced that it will only work with asset managers who are signatories to the PRI in the management of its own assets and guided architecture ranges.

Alongside the Group’s commitment to responsible investing, the other pillars of its sustainability strategy are reduced environmental impact, good customer outcomes and positive community engagement. To meet these commitments the Group has, among other things, successfully used carbon offsets to achieve a net zero carbon status in our operations and been accredited as a Living Wage Employer in the UK.

The PRI is the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment. It works to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors and to support its international network of investor signatories in incorporating these factors into their investment and ownership decisions.

The PRI was launched in April 2006 and since then the number of signatories has grown from 100 to over 4,000. The PRI outlines six principles that offer a menu of possible actions for incorporating ESG issues into investment practice. The Group is proud to commit to these principles and will provide regular reporting on our progress against these.

Paul Thompson, Utmost Group CEO commented:

“We are proud to be a signatory to the PRI. We believe that responsible investing has a huge role to play in building a sustainable future for current and future generations. The Group is committed to taking a proactive approach to sustainable investing and we will continue to embed it across our business – in our strategy, in our investments and in our ongoing stewardship. The work of the PRI supports our mission by actively contributing to developing a more sustainable global financial system.”

David Atkin, CEO of the PRI commented:

“We are delighted to welcome on board Utmost Group plc as a PRI signatory. It is great to see the Group’s commitment to responsible investment, including its announcement to only work with asset managers who are signatories to the PRI. We very much look forward to working together in future.”

The Six Principles for Responsible Investment

• We will incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes
• We will be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices
• We will seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest
• We will promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry
• We will work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles
• We will each report on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles

Please see the full press release here.