St Anne’s is delighted to form part of the Responsible Investment Network (Universities), which launched today, alongside the Universities of Cambridge and Edinburgh. The network’s vision is to help universities build a better world by aligning their investments with their missions, and using their endowments to benefit society and the environment.
ShareAction will run the network with support from the UK’s largest social impact investor, Big Society Capital, and the National Union of Students’ sustainability charity, SOS-UK. The three higher education institutes, representing around £5.4 billion, are united in their ambitions to create positive change through their investment practices. They will share ideas on topics such as stewardship of their investments, engaging with their asset managers, educating students and staff, and social impact investment.
The founding members of the network have seized an opportunity to use their endowments to further their missions and take action on global threats such as climate change and ecosystem breakdown as well as local issues including inequality and homelessness. This is often encouraged by students and other stakeholders who want universities to take a proactive approach to the management of their investments.
John Ford, our Treasurer, commented: “St Anne’s College has always been forward looking and outward facing. We are keen to work collaboratively with like-minded investors and to learn more about the difference that shareholder engagement can make. Being a member of RINU will be invaluable to our current investment review, which includes a consultation with both students and staff and a practical evaluation of the impact of responsible investment.”