King & Shaxson began investing ethically in 2002, managing bespoke ethical portfolios long before the terms “ESG” and “Impact” were coined. The investment universe, as well as the client base, was much smaller in the early 2000s; it was largely considered a fringe market and a number of our early clients were quakers or clergy.
Back then, there was a need for good understanding and sound application of negative and positive screens. Whilst the moral and environmental drivers for ESG and Impact investing have grown considerably, the need for a solid quantitative and qualitative process remains; in particular, a need to understand a client’s ethical values to avoid disappointment.
In 2010, we created a range of model portfolios, which combined a sound investment process whilst at the same time reflecting client’s ethics by avoiding ‘sin stocks’ and investing in companies that finance solutions to the environmental and societal issues we face today.
This combination of applying a negative and a positive screen has served our clients well, and we are proud to celebrate our 20-year anniversary this year. Responsible investing with a track record!