St. James’s Place Wealth Management launches discretionary ESG portfolios for clients in Hong Kong and Singapore

Singapore, 28 October 2021 - In response to market demand and limited availability of multi-asset Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) funds for local investors, St. James’s Place Wealth Management Asia (“SJP Asia”) has launched new discretionary ESG portfolios for its clients in Hong Kong and Singapore.

This launch builds on SJP Asia’s long-standing, company-wide commitment to responsible investing, and will allow its clients the chance to reflect their preferences and values when investing, with a portfolio constructed wholly from a range of pre-screened investments.

Pre-screening is performed by the discretionary portfolio team based on four factors: integration of ESG factors in a company’s decision-making; exclusion of specific sectors or stocks due to unsustainable activities; inclusion of companies that are providing solutions to challenges the world faces; and engagement with companies to influence their behaviours.

Through negative screening, these discretionary ESG portfolios will not be invested in companies connected with activities involving environmental damage, weapons, alcohol, gambling, tobacco or pornography. Whereas investment in companies involved in water management, environmental services, clean energy, sustainable transport, resource efficiency and education will be favoured through positive screening. 

SJP Asia clients can choose to invest all or part of their investment in the discretionary ESG portfolios to put their wealth to work for the issues they believe in.

This launch follows a release of a survey by SJP Asia last month, which finds that 61% and 64% of Hong Kongers and Singaporeans respectively are considering ESG and sustainability factors in how they invest. The study also finds that while Hong Kongers feel social issues are more pressing to address, Singaporeans are more focused on environmental issues.

Angelina Lai, Head of Division – Asia Investment, St. James’s Place said, “Since the start of the pandemic we have seen increased interest in ESG investing among our clients in Asia, and we expect this will continue to grow. Accordingly, we are proud and excited to bolster our responsible investment offering locally with the addition of these discretionary ESG portfolios. These multi-asset portfolios will help meet an increasing demand in the ESG investment space, enabling our clients to put their money where it supports their values and beliefs, investing in a world worth living in.”

Re-disseminated by Wealth and Society