Canaccord Genuity Wealth today launches an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) portfolio range available on Embark Platform. Financial advisers using the Embark Platform will now be able to provide their clients with three new ESG-led portfolios that directly support the UN Sustainable Development Goals, following a surge in demand for ethical investment propositions since the Covid-19 pandemic and in recent years*.
These Canaccord ESG portfolios will focus on positive impact programmes that actively benefit society and the environment, such as nutrition and sanitation initiatives. They are designed to focus thematically on the different components of ESG as a means of creating a diverse and robust portfolio to drive long-term performance, avoiding restrictions to a single sector or geographic region. The full range is aligned to specific risk profiling from Dynamic Planner, with DT risk ratings of 4, 5 and 6. Canaccord’s ESG portfolio offering has also been given a Defaqto 5* rating.
Embark Platform was selected as the home for these portfolios as one of the UK’s leading platform providers and, in particular, for its digital-first approach, with the partnership developing during lockdown.
David Esfandi, CEO of Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Embark as a key platform provider of our range of ESG portfolios, which are a real business differentiator, helping to address tomorrow’s issues today. This partnership combines our experience and knowledge in the field of ESG investing with Embark’s dedication to delivering the best client outcomes. With the ever-growing focus on ESG issues that has only increased during this pandemic, we can build something we can all be proud of, engaging Advisors on these issues aligned with their ambitious investment outcomes.
David continued, on the subject of ESG investing: “Our offering on the Embark Platform marks a significant advance on the more traditional ethical investment funds, focusing less on the traditional exclusion of ‘bad practices’ and more on positivity and sustainability”.
Sean Taylor, Head of Intermediary Services at Canaccord Genuity, said: “Covid-19 has led to a significant reappraisal of what matters to people. ESG is now at the forefront of their investment thinking – and as such, we look forward to helping Advisors navigate their way in the new ecosystem”.
Peter Docherty, CEO, Embark Platform, said: “We are extremely pleased to be hosting Canaccord’s latest ethical investment offering. It’s essential that we continue to reflect the changing priorities of both young and old investors, and enable their advisers to offer them the quality and variety that they expect. We look forward to providing more choice for our existing and potential clients, with the same exceptional service as ever.”
