Contributing To The Development Of Corporate Governance And Socially Responsible Investment
Because we take our responsibilities as an investor seriously, we seek to contribute to the development of principles and standards of corporate governance and corporate responsibility through active participation in multi-stakeholder initiatives and industry organisations such as the following.
Asian Corporate Governance Association
Standard Life Investments is a member of the Asian Corporate Governance Association (ACGA). This is an independent non-profit membership organisation that works with investors, companies and regulators to promote the implementation of effective corporate governance practices throughout Asia.
Association of British Insurers
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) is the representative body for British insurance companies and plays a leading role in corporate governance and regulatory affairs. Standard Life is a long-standing member of the ABI and Guy Jubb, Head of Corporate Governance, represents Standard Life Investments on the ABI’s influential Investment Committee.
Global Auditor Investor Dialogue
The Global Auditor Investor Dialogue provides a forum for the largest global auditing networks and major global investors to discuss matters of mutual interest, especially as they pertain to maintaining high standards of corporate reporting and audit quality. Standard Life Investments played a leading role in the formation of the Dialogue.
Carbon Disclosure Project
Standard Life Investments is a signatory to the Carbon Disclosure Project, which represents institutional investors with combined assets of over $57 trillion under management (as at 1 August 2008) in seeking and maintaining information on the business risks and opportunities presented by climate change from the world’s largest companies.
Confederation of British Industry’s
Standard Life is a member of the Confederation of British Industry’s (CBI), which is the main representative body for British companies. Guy Jubb, Head of Corporate Governance, represents Standard Life on the CBI’s Companies Committee, which discusses a wide range of corporate governance and business issues, playing an important role in the formulation of CBI policy.
Conference Board
Standard Life Investments is a member of the Conference Board and actively participates in several of its European Councils, including the Corporate Governance Council, whose members comprise general counsels and corporate secretaries from some of Europe’s leading corporations, institutional investors and service providers. It discusses developments in corporate governance on a Pan-European basis and seeks to promote good governance practices. Guy Jubb, Head of Corporate Governance, was appointed Co-Chair of the Council in 2007.
Corporate Governance Forum
Standard Life was a founder member of the Corporate Governance Forum, which is an informal network of major UK institutional investors. It meets at regular intervals to discuss emerging corporate governance issues in the UK and overseas
European Corporate Governance Institute
The European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) is an influential network whose members are primarily leading academics in Europe who take a special interest in corporate governance. The Standard Life Investments’ corporate finance prize is awarded annually under the auspices of the ECGI.
EUROSIF
Standard Life Investments was a founder member of the European Social Investment Forum, which was created in 2001 to serve as an umbrella association to cover socially responsible investment issues at the European level.
Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is a multi stakeholder initiative to promote revenue transparency in resource –rich countries through the publication and verification of payments made by companies and revenues received by governments from oil, gas and mining. Standard Life Investments is a signatory of the EITI and Julie McDowell, Head of SRI, serves on its Board.
Global Investor Governance Network
Standard Life Investments was a founder member of the Global Investor Governance Network (GIGN). This is an initiative which brings together governance representatives from major global investors in an informal network which considers global governance issues and developments.
Global Reporting Initiative
The Global Reporting Initiative is a multi stakeholder network that has developed a framework for sustainability reporting. The reporting framework includes reporting guidelines and sector supplements, which are designed to identify key characteristics of individual sectors. Julie McDowell, Head of SRI, served on the working group that developed the sector supplement for the mining and metals industry. She is currently serving on the working group that is finalising this sector supplement.
Institutive of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
Standard Life has, over many years, supported the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, which has played a leading role in developing high standards of corporate reporting. Guy Jubb, Head of Corporate Governance, who is a member of the Institute, serves on its Research Committee.
International Corporate Governance Network
The International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) is the leading global corporate governance network, whose members include many of the world’s leading institutional investors. Standard Life has been a member of the ICGN since its inception and actively supports many of its initiatives. Guy Jubb, Head of Corporate Governance, was a member of the ICGN’s Accounting & Auditing Committee until 2008.
UN Principles for Responsible Investment
Standard Life is a signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment, a set of principles that reflect our commitment to incorporate environmental, social and governance issues into our investment processes.
UK Social Investment Forum
Standard Life Investments is a member of the UK Social Investment Forum (UKSIF), which is a membership network for sustainable and responsible financial services. UKSIF promotes responsible investment and other forms of finance that support sustainable economic development, enhance quality of life and safeguard the environment.
We also promote corporate governance and socially responsible investment by speaking at conferences and seminars such as the following.
2008
October 2008
Directors’ Institute – Saudi Aramco Joint Venture Directors’ Institute Program – Bahrain.
Guy Jubb, Head of Corporate Governance, presented an investor’s perspective on the role of corporate governance in publicly listed companies and on the significance which leading global investors attach to sustainability.
June 2008
Mazars London Stock Exchange Dinner – Edinburgh
Guy Jubb, Head of Corporate Governance, was the guest speaker. His speech focussed on the importance of good communication channels between companies and their investors.
June 2008
UN Principles on Responsible Investment
Annual Meeting
Julie McDowell, Head of SRI, moderated and spoke at a session on the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.
April 2008
Standard Life Investments Training Day for Local Authorities
Julie McDowell, Head of SRI, spoke on socially responsible investment.
March 2008
Ethical Corporation Conference Global Corporate Responsibility Reporting Summit
Julie McDowell, Head of SRI, spoke on the topic: Are CR Reports failing the investor community?
2007
October 2007
ISS Annual Conference
Guy Jubb, Head of Corporate Governance, presented views on class actions and other forms of litigation.
October 2007
University of Edinburgh Management School
Julie McDowell, Head of SRI, spoke on socially responsible investment.
June 2007
Bucharest Stock Exchange Investor Relations Conference: What do investors want?
Julie McDowell, Head of SRI, spoke on the topic Environmental, social and governance reporting: what do investors want?
May 2007
Association of Solicitors and Investment Managers Annual Conference
Julie McDowell, Head of SRI, spoke on current developments in ethical and socially responsible investment.
March 2007
Ethical Corporation Conference: Climate Change- How to get your company’s message across to consumers
Julie McDowell, Head of SRI, spoke on carbon neutrality and carbon offsetting.
