Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS) today announced it has acquired CAER, a Canberra-based independent research company that has been working with institutional investors seeking to monitor portfolio companies’ ESG policies, practices, and disclosures since 2000.
“This acquisition underscores ISS’ commitment to the Australian, New Zealand, and wider Asia-Pacific market where we see growing interest in monitoring portfolio companies for a wide range of ESG risks and opportunities,” ISS ESG managing director Marija Kramer said.
“We are pleased to welcome the entire CAER team to the ISS ESG family.”
The acquisition of CAER will more than double ISS’ headcount in the market to include eight research analysts covering responsible investment and corporate governance across the region.
“With the addition of CAER, ISS will combine superior market coverage with local insight and serve clients as the only local provider to offer both ESG and governance workflow solutions,” ISS country head for Australia and New Zealand Jeff Brown said.
Beyond ESG data products, CAER works with clients to undertake specific and customized research projects, including developing responsible investment policies and strategies along with portfolio assessments and screening scenarios.
CAER also works with clients to deliver bespoke thematic research reports and bespoke ethical and ESG assessments.
“The entire team and I are excited to join ISS ESG and to bring CAER’s industry leading solutions and services to a wider, global audience,” CAER CEO Julia Leske said.
“Moreover, the expansive offerings, high-touch service, and global scale provided by ISS ESG will benefit our clients greatly.”
