Ethical Investment

University Endowment Investments

The University’s Endowment Investment Policy, includes details of the University’s ethical investment criteria and requires the University to publish its endowment investment portfolio annually to allow scrutiny by the University community.

The University’s ethical investment criteria is included here.

The University publishes its endowment investment portfolio annually to allow scrutiny by the University community. In addition, a quarterly sectoral breakdown of investment data is published. The individual stock holdings is subject to a 3 month delay due to commercial sensitivities. However, information on the sector breakdown is published quarterly. These breakdowns can be found below.

The University’s Climate Action Plan contains information on the carbon emissions associated with the University’s investments. It also includes details of actions underway to reduce these.

In November 2021, Newcastle University became one of the founding signatories of the COP26 Asset Owner Climate Expectations Declaration. The University engages with its fund managers to progress the aims of the expectations in order to drive change in the sector. You can also find out more about our approach to responsible investing on the University's blog here, and on our Sustainability Team blog here.

Details of the funds that the University’s endowments are invested currently are as follows:

Janus Henderson Investors Global Sustainable Equity fund

The fund aims to provide capital growth over the long term (5 years or more). It invests in companies whose products and services are considered as contributing to positive environmental or social change.

The fund is managed with reference to the MSCI World Index. This is broadly representative of the companies in which it may invest. It can provide a useful comparator for assessing the Fund's performance. The IA Global sector average, which is based on a peer group of broadly similar funds, may also provide a useful comparator.

Schroder International Selection Fund Sustainable Global Growth and Income I Accumulation GBP

The fund aims to provide an annual yield in excess of the MSCI All Country World (Net TR) Index and capital growth. It invests in equities of companies worldwide which meet the investment manager's sustainability criteria.

The fund has environmental and/or social characteristics (within the meaning of Article 8 SFDR) and maintains a higher overall sustainability score.

Liontrust Asset Management SF Global Growth fund

The fund aims to deliver capital growth, as well as some level of income, over the long term (5 years or more). It uses the Sustainable Future investment process to invest in companies globally. This process uses a thematic approach to identify the key structural growth trends that will shape the global economy of the future. The fund managers then seek to invest in well run companies whose products and operations capitalise on these transformative changes. All investments will be expected to conform to Liontrust ESG criteria.

Royal London Asset Management Ethical Bond fund

The Fund’s investment objective is to achieve a total return over the medium term. This should be a period of 3-5 years, by investing predominantly in sterling-denominated corporate bonds, which meet predetermined ethical criteria.

Aviva REaLM Multi Sector Unit Trust

The University invests in a multi-sector Alternative Investment Fund. The sectors are:

commercial assets (16%)
social housing (6%)
ground rent (39%)
infrastructure income (39%)

The infrastructure sector focuses on renewable energy.

University Finance Committee

Oversight of University Investments is conducted by University Finance Committee, which includes student representation by the President of the Students' Union. A member of the University’s Sustainability Team attends one meeting of Finance Committee per year where fund managers provide their annual report, including ESG analysis.