The fund believes that it is in the shareholders’ interests to consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors when selecting and retaining investments and has asked the investment manager to take these issues into account as long as the investment objectives are not compromised.
The investment manager does not exclude companies from its investment universe purely on the grounds of ESG issues but, where possible, adopts a positive engagement approach whereby matters are discussed with management with the aim of improving the relevant policies and management systems and enabling the investment manager to consider how ESG factors could impact long term investment returns. The investment manager’s statement of compliance with the UK Stewardship Code and UN PRI can be found under the Responsible Investing page of Herald Investment Management Limited’s web site. The investment manager’s policies have also been reviewed and endorsed by HWTF’s board. The funds climate report which includes emissions metrics based on Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations and an assessment of climate change risks and opportunities can be found in the Herald Worldwide Technology Fund Climate Report (TCFD)
HWTF’s activities are all outsourced and therefore it does not have any employees. Notwithstanding that the fund has no direct social or community impact, the board encourages the investment manager to consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors when selecting and retaining investments. The fund has given discretionary voting powers to the investment manager, Herald Investment Management Limited. The investment manager votes against resolutions it considers may damage shareholders’ rights or economic interests.
HWTF is subject to the European Communities (Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) Regulations 2011 (“the UCITS Regulations”). As such the fund must comply with any relevant EU ESG Regulation. This includes the Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation. The fund’s sustainable finance policy is here