James Hambro & Partners has been named as Impact/ESG Manager of the Year in the Citywealth Magic Circle Awards. It also took the silver prize as Financial Advisory Firm of the Year.
The award recognises how sustainability is embedded within the JH&P investment process. James Beck, Partner and Head of Investments, said: “The melting of the polar icecaps is just one of the visible signs of the very real impact of climate change and another reminder that our actions have very real consequences for the health of the natural world. Global warming and environmental degradation also threaten the future of our own economic prosperity.
“As an investment manager our purpose is to create better financial outcomes for our clients. We therefore have a duty to think deeply about the risks that environmental and social factors pose to every investment we make. As stakeholders we can make a difference and help bring about positive change by encouraging companies to cut emissions and do better. That is why responsible investment is such an important part of our investment philosophy. We aim to place our clients’ capital in the best position to make attractive economic returns whilst supporting progress towards a fairer and more sustainable world.”
Performing at a high level
The judges praised the way JH&P and other winning companies had responded to the challenges of Covid. Josh Matthews, said: “The winners in this year’s awards proved that they can operate and perform at a high level, and meet the unique challenges that we’ve seen in the past 12 months.”
JH&P CEO Andy Steel described 2020 as presenting more challenges than he’d experienced in the past 30 years put together, but the firm’s model of giving clients direct access to their financial planner and the person managing their money paid dividends.
He said: “The fact that our clients have such a close one-to-one relationship with the financial planner and the portfolio manager and that they, in turn, work so closely with each other, really came into its own at a time when clients needed more reassurance than they’ve ever needed before. It wasn’t just the fact that we managed to deliver really good portfolio performance, it was the fact that we were available and talking to clients at whatever frequency was appropriate to them. I am so proud of what the team achieved. We didn’t go missing, we upped our game.”
“Sustainability is embedded in the way JH&P manages all client portfolios.”
Strength and commitment
JH&P’s Head of Marketing and UK Business Development, Helen Rynhoud, said: “It’s a tribute to the strength and commitment of the team and the quality of our service that we’ve won these awards. I’m particularly pleased that we won the ESG award.
“Sustainability is embedded in the way JH&P manages all client portfolios. This year we’ve worked hard to articulate more clearly what we do, and it is fantastic to receive an award that recognises our approach ahead of a group of very strong competitors.”
Click here to learn more about our approach to responsible investing.