Ninety One

Ninety One links the remuneration of its executive team to sustainability performance criteria. In terms of female representation in leadership positions, the asset manager has a gender-balanced board of directors where 50% members are women. It also discloses a target to achieve 30% of women in senior management by 2023. Regarding engagement, Ninety One has a policy where it describes its approach on sustainability themes and impact topics with investees. This policy includes a clear framework with success criteria and escalation points in the event that engagement with investees is unsuccessful. It also publishes case studies describing where it has engaged successfully and unsuccessfully with investees on sustainability themes and impact topics.

Ninety One discloses absolute financed emissions as well as the underlying data quality and coverage of its financed emissions. As a member of the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative, the asset manager has set a target of net-zero financed emissions by 2050. Similarly, as a member of Climate Action 100+, Ninety One discloses that it collectively engages with its investees on the topic of climate change.

Ninety One discloses a public commitment to protect personal data. It also discloses a global tax strategy for which an executive-level body has responsibility. Regarding diversity, Ninety One discloses the proportion of women in its total direct operations workforce for each employee category.

In terms of its approach to senior leadership accountability, Ninety One could assign decision making and oversight responsibility for its sustainability strategy to its highest governing body. It also has an opportunity to make a public commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment. In addition to monitoring the gender pay gap for its UK operations, Ninety One could disclose how it takes action to address any pay gaps across its global operations.

Ninety One has an opportunity to disclose interim emissions reduction targets at the group level, such as a 45% reduction in financed emissions by 2030. In terms of engagement, there is no evidence that the asset manager discloses alignment with the Paris Agreement as one of its engagement priorities with companies to which it provides financial services. While Ninety One commits to having at least 50% of their financed emissions being generated by companies with science-based transition pathways aligned with the Paris Agreement by 2030, this does not apply to all of its financing activities. No evidence was found regarding the asset manager’s financing activities devoted to climate solutions. Regarding nature and biodiversity, no evidence was found that Ninety One is committed to minimising its negative impacts or financing regenerative solutions.

Ninety One has an opportunity to describe a comprehensive process for identifying its human rights risks and impacts across all its activities, especially its financing activities. It could also establish a grievance mechanism accessible to all workers, external individuals and communities to raise human rights complaints or concerns. No evidence was found of the asset manager’s policy towards or processes for identifying and addressing bribery and corruption. To provide transparency on financial inclusivity, the financial institution has an opportunity to disclose the amount of investment directed towards low-income developing countries.