How we’re committed to sustainable investing
Wesleyan's Sustainable Investment Strategy, launched in October 2021, established a clear policy framework for both customers and fund managers. This policy is reviewed annually to ensure alignment with regulatory developments, customer insights, and broader market trends.
To find out more, read our sustainable investing policy.
Our Sustainable Investment Team
The Sustainable Investment (SI) Team works alongside Wesleyan's Fund Managers and Investment Analysts. They assess our funds, holdings, and investment management decisions, considering the sustainability factors of each.
Our approach
The team ensures our approach on sustainable investment remains at the heart of what we do. These are:
- Ethical exclusions
- Active engagement
Engagement & stewardship at all levels
The Sustainable Investment Team engages with organisations at management and Board level to promote better practices. This is achieved by identifying areas in a business that can be challenged or changed to improve environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance.
This could be anything from its carbon footprint to human rights issues, or water management to the diversity of its Board members. They reinforce this by using their corporate voting rights to help encourage more environmentally and socially responsible behaviour.
Meet the team
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Lucas Howarth, CFA
Lucas is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) who has been with Wesleyan for over 15 years. He joined straight out of university, where he studied Mechanical Engineering. Since 2011, he’s been a CFA charterholder and holds the CFA’s Certificate in Environmental, Social and Governance Investing. Lucas has also recently been appointed to the Investment Association's Sustainability & Responsible Investment Committee.
Lucas heads up our Sustainable Investment Team, which focuses on incorporating sustainability issues into our investment process and ensures responsible management of our customers’ money. He oversees all aspects of the team’s work, including research, customer communications, company engagement and voting.
Max Read
Max started out at Wesleyan as an Investments Team intern in 2020, before taking up the position of Sustainable Investment Analyst the same year. He leads on finding companies that meet Wesleyan's sustainable objectives, while producing research reports that focus on sustainability. This helps to ensure Wesleyan's funds continue to meet their sustainability targets.
Max studied Chemistry at Durham University, receiving a BSc degree 2:1. He holds the Investment Management Certificate and the CFA Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) qualification. He is due to start studying for his final CFA exam this year.
Sophia Ground
Sophia joined Wesleyan as a Sustainable Investment Analyst in March 2025. As part of the Sustainable Investment Team, she produces research on companies with a focus on themes of sustainability and decarbonisation. Sophia also contributes to corporate voting and stewardship activities, ensuring Wesleyan’s holdings are maintaining responsible practices.
Prior to joining Wesleyan, Sophia studied BSc Physics & Chemistry at Durham University, gaining a first-class honours. She went on to complete her MSc in Sustainable Energy Futures at Imperial College London, receiving a Distinction.