The new business will overlook an investment strategy including products such as the Perennial Better Future Trust and an ASX-listed managed fund, the eInvest Better Future Fund. It will also manage ESG initiatives across the Perennial group.
The boutique will be led by portfolio manager Damian Cottier, alongside Emilie O’Neill, ESG and equities analyst, and George Whiting, who will head up the institutional and retail business development for the business.
Perennial Partners’ broader distribution and 15 investment analysts will provide additional support.
Anthony Patterson, executive director of Perennial Partners, commented the new business has been four years in the making.
“The world of sustainable investment has made a 180-degree turn in the last 15 years,” Mr Patterson said.
“Today, an investment in a sustainable business contributing to a better future is far more likely to lead to better returns than investing in conventional businesses.”
Mr Cottier commented that rather than merely choosing the most sustainable stocks within sectors, Perennial Better Future’s strategy will focus on impact: it will find companies that derive the majority of revenue from positive outcomes, with no revenue to come from harmful activities.
“We are focused on finding innovative smaller Australian companies. Many of the companies in the portfolio have entered into global markets and have significant growth potential – they are often disruptors in their chosen markets, improving health outcomes, increasing efficiency and reducing costs,” Mr Cottier said.
“We have been pleased to play a role in driving these positive outcomes further by participating in capital raises to support the growth of these companies.”
