Developments and commentary in and around the ESG investment space.

Sanlam Investments
Sanlam Investments has selected Robeco as its sustainable investment partner to cover ESG reporting, active ownership and engagement services as well as providing marketing and educational support.

Owned by the South Africa based Sanlam Group, which operates in 44 countries, Sanlam's investment arm manages around €22 billion ($26 billion) for clients across active management, alternative investments, index-tracking, multi-management and international investments.

The financial services group is known for having a strong footprint across the African continent operating in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, and Mozambique. Its emerging markets appeal is also bolstered by a stake in UK-based Micro-Ensure Holdings, which serves millions of clients in Africa and India.

Sanlam’s chief executive Nersan Naidoo said that the new ESG reporting partnership with the Dutch-based asset manager would put South African investors at the heart of moving towards long-term sustainability. He called Robeco “the perfect partner” for fast-tracking sustainable integration into all aspects of the business. “They are already an established player and a world leader in the sustainability space." Out of a total €155 billion in assets managed by Robeco at the end of June, €144 billion is committed to ESG integration, the firm said.