Discretionary fund manager Aberdeen Standard Capital (ASC) announced today the launch of the Sustainable Managed Portfolio Service (MPS), aiming to enable investors to make an impact on society and the environment through their investments, while earning a financial return.

Richard Charnock, CEO of ASC, said:

“The world currently faces a daunting number of significant challenges, from climate change and pollution to poverty and inequality. COVID-19 has only intensified the focus on these issues and highlighted how important it is for us to address these as we emerge from the crisis. Harnessing our award-winning track record in providing responsible investing solutions to our clients, our Sustainable Mananged Portfolio Service joins our suite of solutions, providing a much needed investment range for professional advisers and clients. Our Sustainable MPS has the dual aim of having a positive impact on the world at the same time as delivering a positive financial return; we believe you can do both.”

According to ASC, the Sustainable MPS service incorporates three sustainable investing approaches, including ESG integration, impact investing and exclusionary screening. ASC stated that utilizing each of these approaches ensures that portfolios will be invested in well-run companies that meet ESG requirements, reflect clients’ ethical views by excluding certain sectors or companies, and target areas where change is needed the most, through the United Nations’ (UN) 17 Sustainable Goals framework (UN SDGs). Combined with active stewardship and engagement, ASC intends aims to influence positive change in portfolio companies.

The Sustainable MPS will be offered with five different levels of risk, with diversification across asset classes and geographies, following the same investment process ASC uses for its other established managed portfolio services. The portfolios will be constructed predominantly from Aberdeen Standard Investments’ (ASI) funds, where each underlying investment has been analysed to ensure it meets ASI’s ESG criteria. The firm stated that the portfolio will be managed ASC investment managers Darren Ripton, Jason Day and Eric Louw.