AllianzGI reinforces commitment to active stewardship by becoming a signatory to the UK Stewardship Code
Allianz Global Investors (“AllianzGI”) announced today that it has successfully applied to become a signatory to the UK Stewardship Code set by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), further strengthening its commitment to active stewardship.
The UK Stewardship Code sets high standards for asset managers and asset owners investing money on behalf of UK savers and pensioners, and service providers that support them.
Matt Christensen, Global Head of Sustainable and Impact Investing, commented:
“As an active investment manager, we are committed to driving long-term positive change through constructive engagement with investee companies. Our Stewardship and investment teams have been actively engaging in stewardship activities to encourage companies to enhance their corporate value and promote sustainable growth for many years and we are pleased that this work, outlined in our 2021 Sustainability and Stewardship Report, has been recognised by the FRC. Being a signatory to the Code is a public expression of our continuous commitment to embedding responsible investment across our business and to conforming to the very highest stewardship standards.
As the responsible investment movement continues to gather pace, we will continue to engage with companies on the issues that matter most to us and our clients, including pushing firms to tackle challenges such as energy transition, excessive executive pay and board diversity.”
Neil Brown, Head of UK distribution, added:
“The Code sets a high bar for organisations to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to stewardship. Becoming a signatory demonstrates we have high stewardship standards and are actively participating in activities that should result in better long-term value for our clients and beneficiaries in the UK”.
To become a signatory, AllianzGI submitted a Stewardship Report to the FRC demonstrating how it has applied the Code’s Principles in the reporting period. With the report having met the FRC’s expectations, the organisation is listed as a signatory to the Code. Once listed, organisations must annually report to remain signatories, as AllianzGI intends to do.
About Allianz Global Investors
Allianz Global Investors is a leading active asset manager with over 600 investment professionals in 20 offices worldwide and managing EUR 578 billion in assets. We invest for the long term and seek to generate value for clients every step of the way. We do this by being active – in how we partner with clients and anticipate their changing needs, and build solutions based on capabilities across public and private markets. Our focus on protecting and enhancing our clients’ assets leads naturally to a commitment to sustainability to drive positive change. Our goal is to elevate the investment experience for clients, whatever their location or objectives.
Active is: Allianz Global Investors
Data as at 30 June 2022