ESG investors targeted with Evergreen model portfolio

Evergreen Consultants has launched a model portfolio designed to give investors the opportunity to invest in a tax-effective responsible investment portfolio.

The Evergreen Responsible Growth Model would be an investment bond offered via Generation Life and was a diversified, multi-manager portfolio which aimed to offer returns of cash plus 3.5% after fees and tax.

When earnings on investments were received on investment bonds, they were taxed at 30% and the tax was paid by the fund.

The Evergreen Responsible Investment Grade index was used to identify funds which were genuinely investing in environmental, social and governance (ESG). This index focused on the strengths and weaknesses of a manager and their ESG capabilities.

The portfolio included funds from firms such as Janus Henderson, Australian Ethical, Pengana and State Street. Overall, there were 21 funds in the portfolio from 18 managers and this would be reviewed monthly.

Angela Ashton, chief executive of Evergreen, said: “Given the lack of a consistent framework for responsible investing and limited access to accurate data, Evergreen took on the task of developing its own index and has used it as the basis for the model.

“As investors across the board become increasingly conscious of the impact companies are having on the environment and society and take an active role in ESG considerations, we will continue to offer innovative solutions for long-term investors who care about their capital being invested wisely, as well as doing good for themselves and future generations.”