The enhancements, labelled “unprecedented” by the company, will allow advisors to deliver a more personalised service to a wide range of clients and accommodate various levels of ESG in their preferred management style, aligned to the client’s appetite for risk, the firm said.

Launched in 2014 and available through Quilter’s platform, WealthSelect now manages more than £9.6bn (as at 31 December 2021) from 64,000 investors across 1,800 advisor firms. 

“Rather than simply launch a new range of portfolios, we have thought long and hard about how ESG should be accommodated alongside other client requirements as part of a regulated advice process,” David Tiller, commercial and propositions director at Quilter, said. “I am proud that Quilter has chosen to do this the right way, working through the needs of advisors and clients before developing our solutions. Doing this has meant us committing to an unprecedented expansion of our flagship WealthSelect portfolio range.”

The company has also introduced three training modules to help advisors understand and incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into their business. 

The first module ‘understanding responsible and sustainable investment’ is being rolled out now, with the remaining modules, which include practical advice on how advisors can incorporate ESG into their advice process, following thereafter.

“Against the backdrop of growing consumer interest, there has been a proliferation of ESG-badged products in recent years, so it should be no surprise that the FCA has put it front and centre of its agenda,” Tiller said. “With this increased scrutiny, it is vital advisors get this right and embed ESG effectively into their processes.”