Castlefield In The News - Winter 2023
Throughout Autumn 2023, Castlefield Co-owners have frequently been approached to feature within industry publications and provide comment to the press. This latest ‘In the news’ feature provides a summary of some recent interviews, opinion pieces and press coverage we’ve featured in over Autumn and Winter 2023, with links to the original articles.
Part of our role as the Thoughtful Investor ® involves raising awareness and speaking out about environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues that may be relevant to our clients. As a result, Castlefield Co-owners are frequently approached to feature within industry publications and provide comment to the press.
To say it’s been a busy few months is something of an understatement! Here we provide a summary of some recent coverage we’ve featured in, covering topics such as the latest UN climate conference, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, new regulation to combat greenwashing, healthier food, and a new Castlefield fund manager.
Professional Adviser
Building financial resilience was the topic for Professional Adviser, in this piece exploring how financial education comes into play and whether a cultural shift is needed. Castlefield Partner Matt Ralph features:
https://professionaladviser.com/feature/4156665/building-financial-resilience-cultural-shift
Castlefield's Thomas McCoy features in this piece "What should advisers be focusing on in terms of ESG, given the delay of the FCA's new SDR regulation?" for Professional Adviser, exploring what the delay means for the industry and what impact it has had.
https://www.professionaladviser.com/opinion/4126234/sdr-delay-mixed-bag-effects-advice-industry
Castlefield Founder, John Eckersley, was also quoted in a piece about the launch of AdviserAction - a group of advice firms seeking to influence the sustainable policies of investee companies.
He said: "We are delighted to be part of this innovative partnership, as it brings together some of the leaders in sustainable investment and complements our existing engagement activities."
FTAdviser
"How are responsible investment funds evolving?" was the title of this FTAdviser Responsible Money CPD piece. Castlefield fund manager Callum Wells contributed, sharing his views on diversification and what's next for responsible investment.
https://ftadviser.com/investments/2023/12/12/what-next-for-responsible-investment-funds/
We also secured further coverage of Castlefield joining AdviserAction as a founding member.
The Financial Conduct Authority finally published its long-awaited rules to curb greenwashing in investments and label sustainable funds. Castlefield's Ita McMahon shared her response to the announcement in this FTAdviser piece.
In this sustainable bond investing piece for FTAdviser, Castlefield's Barney Timson joins the discussion on how to create a fixed income portfolio that is sustainable and diversified against both duration and credit risk.
https://sustainablebondinvesting.ftadviser.com/
Professional Paraplanner
As the latest UN climate conference COP28 kicked off, Castlefield's David Gorman asked what might we expect as the result of the week of negotiations?
He suggests adopting a degree of scepticism about what might come out of the proceedings in this piece for Professional Paraplanner
https://professionalparaplanner.co.uk/cop-28-expect-disappointment-hope-for-more/
ESG Clarity
Ita McMahon featured in this piece for ESG Clarity, explaining how the Castlefield investment team engaged with Unilever over its continued presence in Russia.
It's an interesting case study in handling ESG controversies within sustainable portfolios.
https://esgclarity.com/unilever-case-study-managing-esg-controversy-within-a-sustainable-portfolio/
Following The FCA announcement to improve the transparency of sustainable investment products, Castlefield's Matt Ralph shared his thoughts with ESG Clarity and welcomed plans to establish an independent working group to support advisers
Investment Week
In this piece for Investment Week, Castlefield 's Ellie Walley discussed the challenges of labour shortages and poor retention, and how companies are responding to these risks.
Castlefield appoints co-manager of Sustainable Portfolio funds and platform models
Money Marketing
Castlefield partner Olivia Bowen features in this piece for Money Marketing titled "Will the PM’s net-zero rollback impact the appetite for ESG investing?"
Food Foundation
In this Podcast, Castlefield's Ita McMahon joins Food Foundation for "Why the food industry is the gatekeeper to our dietary health".
They discuss the retailers and businesses leading the way towards a healthier and more sustainable diet https://shows.acast.com/right2food/episodes/sofi-why-the-food-industry-is-the-gatekeeper-to-our-healthie
Good With Money
COP28 couldn't commit to a fossil fuel "phase-out," but Good With Money suggested you can still banish them from your investments. Castlefield featured in their 6 trusted fossil fuel-free options:
https://good-with-money.com/2023/12/13/top-6-fossil-fuel-free-investments/
Special thanks to the extended Castlefield PR team at ShareComms.