Aegon Asset Management (AAM) received the top rating for strategy and management of its Responsible Investment Activities in an annual assessment published by the Principles for Responsible Investing (PRI).
Aegon Asset Management is a global active investment manager trusted with 352 billion euros worldwide. The company uses its investment management experience to help people achieve financial security for life.
This is the fourth consecutive year that AAM has received an A + rating, which is awarded to just 29% of the 1,677 signers of the PRI Asset Management.
Six principles
Backed by the United Nations in 2006, PRI is a leading and independent advocate for responsible investing. The organization sets out six principles for considering ESG factors when making investment decisions and proactive ownership practices. In its annual appraisal report, the body provides an overview of the performance of signatories versus peers on several topics, including strategy and governance, active ownership and direct management of stocks and fixed income investments.
Aegon Asset Management is one of the leading contributors to responsible investing and has signed PRI since 2011. The firm continued to perform above average in PRI reports, despite operating in an increasingly mature market. Indeed, this latest PRI report noted that Aegon Asset Management has improved in several areas. This includes upgrading the ratings of his property and securitized fixed income investments. The firm also received the highest score (A +) on the three engagement categories in the report.
ESG-focused strategies
Aegon Asset Management's commitment to responsible investing was recently highlighted in its Responsible Investing report, in which the company reported significant growth in its responsible investing activities.
During 2019, the firm launched new ESG-focused strategies, developed proprietary ESG research methodologies for corporate and securitized credit, and demonstrated a commitment to good governance through significant increases in shareholder engagement and voting activity.
In July 2020, Brunno Maradei also added two new appointments to the Responsible Investing team: Retno Cusumaningtias as Senior Partner for Responsible Investing and Georgina Laird as Sustainable Investment Analyst.
