Schroder BSC Social gets sustainability label; VH fund changes name

Mon, 02nd Dec 2024 12:10

(Alliance News) - Schroder BSC Social Impact Trust PLC on Monday said it has adopted the new "sustainability impact" label for London-listed investment companies, while VH Global Sustainable Energy Opportunities PLC has changed its name as part of new listing rules.

Schroder BSC Social Impact said it will continue to be considered an "impact fund" under new sustainability disclosure requirements from the UK Financial Conduct Authority. The company is one of the first investment trusts to apply the new label. Last month, Impax Environmental Markets PLC also said it would be adopting the label.

"By applying the label, we aim to demonstrate to investors both the rigour of our impact practice and our commitment to transparency," Chair Susannah Nicklin said.

Schroder BSC Social Impact invests across asset classes, "targeting sustainable returns, demonstrable social impact, and low correlation to traditional public markets". It is a partnership of investment manager Schroders PLC and social impact investor Better Society Capital.

Separately, VH Global Sustainable Energy Opportunities said it has adopted the "sustainability impact" label as well, but has changed its name to VH Global Energy Infrastructure PLC, effective from Monday, to comply with the new regulatory requirement for fund names.

The fund, whose investment manager is Victory Hill Capital Partners LLP, said its sustainable investment objective with regards to energy transition, climate change and air pollution is unchanged.

Back in October, Impact Healthcare REIT changed its name to Care REIT PLC, also citing the new naming rules from FCA. These restrict companies from using sustainability labels such as "impact" in investment products, unless the primary aim of the business is social impact.

Schroder BSC Social Impact Trust shares were down 1.7% to 77.70 pence midday Monday in London. VH Global Energy Infrastructure shares were down 1.02% at 67.90p.

By Tom Waite, Alliance News editor

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