In 2015 Pennine Wealth Solutions set out on a journey to create a range of model portfolios which not only produced a financial return, but also looked at how this return could have an impact on societal and environmental issues.
This was not a new concept as investing positively to can be traced back to the 17th century, mainly provided by religious groups such as the Quakers. This type of investment strategy tended to screen out investing in activities that were deemed to be contrary to their religious beliefs, for example, alcohol production. However as ‘modern’ investment strategies were developed, they mainly concentrated on making returns for shareholders and companies, with any positive impact being an incidental consequence.
In 2016, we launched our Positive Pennine Portfolios. The stated objective was, Do Good, Avoid Harm and Make Money.
If we imagine an objective scale of 1 to 100, with 1 being solely to make money and 100 solely being to create a solution to a societal issue, such as homelessness, without generating any financial return, we constructed our portfolios to sit around the 70 to 80 point on this scale. To illustrate this visually, we have mapped our portfolios on the Spectrum of Capital below.
The Spectrum of Capital was from the 2014 report from the G8 Social Impact Investment Taskforce which looked to illustrate the parameters based on financial objectives only through to impact only, such as philanthropy and charity. As you progress along the scale, you include responsible, sustainable and impact investment strategies.
We have mapped the underlying funds within our portfolios based on where they fit within these three strategies. Not to lose sight of the main reason for investing is to create a financial return for investors, we can demonstrate that after 5 years of launch of the Positive Pennine Portfolios they have achieved the original stated objectives of Do Good, Avoid Harm and Make Money.
If you would like more information about the Positive Pennine range of portfolios, please contact Sean Fisher at the office on 0800 161 5052 or mobile 07583 241668 or e-mail
Pennine Wealth Solutions LLP, part of the Socium Group, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and only available through authorised Financial Advisers.
Investors should remember that the value of investments and income from them can go down as well as up. Investors may not recover what they invest. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Any mention of specific security should not be interpreted as a solicitation to buy or sell specific security.