SJP launches responsible investment training programme for Partnership

St. James’s Place (SJP) has launched a training programme to assist its Advisers and Partners integrate best practice advice on responsible investing to clients. 

The four-part training series covers the basics of responsible investment, its proposition and solutions available to the Partnership, how to tackle client conversations and SJP’s approach to engagement with companies on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. It is part a wider programme across the business, better positioning SJP to respond to emerging risks and opportunities regarding ESG. 

Further modules will be launched covering areas such as the impact of climate change, attitudes to sustainability and the FCA’s sustainability labelling regime.  The training programme will count towards CPD.

According to SJP’s Future of Financial Planning report¹, advisers across the industry believe it’s in their professional remit to discuss non-financial investment motivations, of which their sustainability goals and preferences form part of. Equally, the majority of clients (59%) say that generally speaking, it’s important to discuss ESG with their adviser.

“The training programme will help our advisers and Partners better understand how to integrate responsible investment into conversations with clients. The training has been designed to not only assist with conversations but also embed processes into their businesses,” said Petra Lee, Responsible Investment Consultant at St. James’s Place.

As part of the wider programme, SJP’s investment team and analysts underwent a climate training course in conjunction with fund manager Ninety-One and Imperial College London. The sessions consisted of world class lectures on climate risk, valuation impacts and climate science which will increase the ability of its analysts to consider how fund managers approach and incorporate climate change into their investment decisions. 

SJP was included in the Financial Reporting Council’s UK Stewardship Code 2022, which sets high stewardship standards for those investing money on behalf of UK savers and pensioners. Stewardship is the responsible allocation, management and oversight of capital to create long-term value for clients and beneficiaries leading to sustainable benefits for the economy, the environment and society.

Sam Turner, Head of Responsible Investing at St. James’s Place, said: “Expanding our knowledge on best practice across our Partnership and investment team is crucial if we are to be a leading responsible business delivering great client outcomes. We know this is an area where there is a lot of jargon, and it can be tricky for clients to understand what different approaches can be taken under the responsible investment umbrella. Speaking with an adviser can be a great way to align your investments with your sustainability goals.”