Peter Harrison

Schroders and Conservation International are announcing a ground-breaking partnership to accelerate investment in natural climate solutions in South East Asia. The collaboration has established Akaria Natural Capital as one of the first dedicated natural capital impact investment managers in Singapore.

Schroders’ clients are increasingly focused on maximising impact while also benefiting from robust returns. Impact investing is now viewed among the key pillars of sustainable investing, alongside integration and positive screening, Schroders’ Institutional Investor Study 2022 has found.^[1]

Akaria Natural Capital will initially deploy capital towards a range of 15 to 20 high quality natural climate solutions projects across South East Asia over the first five years. It plans to manage a series of funds that invest in natural capital solutions projects in the region and will apply for a fund management licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

The goal of these projects will be to deliver both long term returns and positive environmental benefits. They will also target positive impacts for local communities.

Nature could account for more than 30% of the climate action needed to avoid the worst effects of climate change, according to Conservation International^[2]. However, natural climate solutions currently receive less than 3% of all global climate finance.

Natural climate solutions also provide a range of additional benefits beyond carbon capture and storage, such as filtering fresh water or providing breathable air.

This partnership also aims to contribute to better understanding how to allocate capital towards nature and supporting the development of a natural capital investment market.

Akaria Natural Capital will be led by Gary Addison, as Chief Executive Officer, and Simon Chadwick, as Chief Impact Investment Officer, who both have extensive backgrounds in private equity investment and have actively participated in its creation as co-founders.

Yesterday’s announcement forms part of an important wider focus for Schroders on natural capital investment. Last year Schroders announced a strategic partnership with Natural Capital Research (NCR), along with Oxford Sciences Innovation (OSI)^[3] and in 2022 Schroders’ Australian Equities team launched a Biodiversity investment strategy, which is currently available to institutional investors in Australia.

At the UN climate summit COP26 last year, Schroders announced it had joined the Natural Capital Investment Alliance (NCIA)^[4], which aims to accelerate natural capital as a mainstream investment theme.

Schroders’ Chair, Dame Elizabeth Corley, set out Schroders’ commitment to investing in natural capital as part of an influential speaking slot at the COP26 Leaders event Action on Forests and Land-use.^[5]

Schroders became one of more than 30 leading financial institutions to commit to tackle agricultural, commodity-driven deforestation.

It has also made natural capital and biodiversity a priority for active engagement with companies as part of its award-winning Engagement Blueprint.^[6]

Peter Harrison, Group Chief Executive of Schroders, commented:  “Large scale investment is needed fast to halt and reverse nature loss. Nature-based solutions should be part of the solution to tackle climate change – and they can bring good returns. But the devil is in the detail. They must be high quality, and they must put local communities and the people who live there at the heart of any action. That’s why we’re working with Conservation International to do this right. Our ambition is high: we want to harness the power of investment to accelerate a nature positive future, by creating opportunities for impact beyond returns.”

Dr M Sanjayan, Chief Executive, Conservation International, commented:  “When we invest in the health of earth’s vital ecosystems, we not only keep planet-warming carbon in the ground, we also keep at-risk species out of harm’s way, support livelihoods and quality-of-life in rural communities, improve food, water, and resource security, and reduce the risk of disease spillover. Nature-based solutions hold exceptional promise, but it will take sustained investment to unleash that potential at scale. This initiative sends a powerful message to the financial services industry. Generating healthy returns, protecting nature, and supporting community development need not be mutually exclusive goals. We’re grateful to Schroders for their commitment to building a replicable model for others to adopt.”

Conservation International has more than three decades of technical and scientific expertise working alongside communities while raising and deploying conservation capital at scale.

Where appropriate, Schroders will seek to align its engagement expectations with those of major collaborative initiatives such as the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures, Science-Based Targets for Nature and NA100+.

It is working to build a robust picture of its impact on nature and as well as being a founding member of the Natural Capital Investment Alliance, it is a member of the Net Zero Asset Managers’ Initiative, RE100, the Terra Carta and Climate Action 100+.

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Notes:
[1] https://www.schroders.com/en/au/institutions/insights/institutional-investor-study-2022/sustainability/
[2] https://www.conservation.org/priorities/stabilizing-our-climate-by-protecting-and-restoring-nature
[3] https://www.schroders.com/en/global/media-relations/media-centre/natural-capital-research-accelerates-global-growth-strategy-with-investment-from-schroders-and-osi/
[4] https://www.schroders.com/en/global/media-relations/media-centre/schroders-joins-natural-capital-investment-alliance/
[5] https://www.schroders.com/en/global/media-relations/media-centre/elizabeth-corley-chair-designate-sets-out-schroders-natural-capital-focus-at-cop26-summit/
[6] https://www.schroders.com/en/global/media-relations/media-centre/schroders-engagement-blueprint-wins-influential-sustainability-award/

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Craig Banning

Individual advisers and practices across the Hillross, AMP Financial Planning and Charter Financial Planning network have received top awards to recognise their high levels of professionalism, operational excellence, superior client service and quality advice as part of an annual awards program.

Hillross and AMP Financial Planning Managing Director, Michael Guggenheimer, and Charter Financial Planning Managing Director, Tim Mitchell-Adams, praised the achievements of the award recipients.

“We know the real difference financial advisers can make in helping people plan for a more secure future. These awards acknowledge advisers and businesses which are leading the way in helping customers achieve their financial goals through quality advice,” said Mr Guggenheimer.

AMP Financial Planning, Hillross and Charter advisers can nominate colleagues or self-nominate for the awards, with submissions assessed by a panel of industry experts.

Clients of the finalists for AMP Financial Planning and Hillross were also surveyed by an independent research specialist, Beddoes Institute, to assess client satisfaction as part of the judging process.

AMP Financial Planning

Navwealth Financial Group located in St Leonards, NSW won Practice of the Year for demonstrating the highest standards of professionalism, operational excellence and client service. Led by Craig Banning, Navwealth was also a finalist for the AFA Practice of the Year award category in 2016.

“The team at Navwealth are really focussed and passionate about helping their clients reach their goals on purpose, and not by accident. The practice is an outstanding example within the profession,” Mr Guggenheimer said.

AMP Financial Planning also recognised the following advisers for their contribution to advice and the community:

• Adviser of the Year – Esther Althaus, Perspective Financial Solutions, South Yarra, VIC
• New Adviser of the Year – Scott Miller, First Class Wealth, Sydney CBD, NSW
• New Practice of the Year – First Class Wealth, Sydney CBD, NSW
• Value of Advice – Amanda Pond, Puddle to Pond Financial, Nowra, NSW

Hillross

Coral Coast Financial Planning located in Cairns, QLD won both the Advisory Firm of the Year award and the Financial Freedom achievement award, recognising the practice’s ongoing delivery of high quality advice and leading client service.

Led by Craig Armstrong, the firm prides itself on its long-term financial relationships.

“The practice’s long-standing client relationships is testimony to the high-quality financial planning advice and service it provides,” Mr Guggenheimer said.

Hillross also recognised the following advisers for their contribution to advice and the community:

• Financial Adviser of the Year – Gary Dean, Prosperity Wealth Advisers, World Square, NSW
• New Adviser of the Year – Jay Murphy, Arrive Wealth Management, Brisbane, QLD
• Professional Excellence – Simon Everett, Elysian Wealth Services, West Perth, WA
• Service to the Community – Definitive Financial Services, Tony Greenham, Subiaco, WA

Charter Financial Planning

Charter advisers Ray Albright (NSW-ACT), David Dyson (VIC-TAS), Christopher Manthey (QLD), Alex Brown (SA-NT) and Gary Addison (WA) received the 2016 State Advisers of the Year awards for their outstanding work and contributions to Charter.

The 2016 Charter National New Adviser of the Year award winner was Andrew Thomas from Crest Financial Services located in Cook Hill, NSW.

The 2016 National Value of Advice award winner is Ben Law from Exceed Financial located in Kangaroo Point, QLD.

The prestigious Gerald Lippman Perpetual Trophy for 2016 was awarded to Andrew Harris of Minerds Bell Consultancy Group located in Kingswood, SA. The Gerald Lippman Perpetual Trophy is awarded each year to the adviser that is judged to have made the greatest contribution to the progress of Charter during the past 12 months in areas such as professional and business development, industry involvement, community activity, marketing and promotion.

“‘My favourite time of year is when the Charter community comes together to honour our highest achievers. It’s always so great to hear the advisers share their stories and how the valuable advice they provide is making a real difference to so many people,” said Tim Mitchell-Adams.

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