Another key figure in Henderson Global Investors’ socially responsible
investment operations is to move on, following the firm’s recent review
of its approach to SRI.
Mark Campanale, head of SRI business development, will depart as a
result of his position being done away with in much the same way as Rob
Lake’s head of corporate engagement post, jettisoned in October (EP8,
issue 6, p1).
One source close to Henderson told EP that the fund manager’s decision
to stop making SRI research available to all its teams and to restrict
it only to those with an SRI brief, was behind the cull. ‘I can’t quite
understand the decision, as it is going against the general trend among
other investment managers in Europe,’ the source said. ‘Henderson are
keeping their SRI funds, but they have pulled back to the position
where SRI is more of a niche again, rather than being increasingly
applicable across all investments.’
Campanale has been a high profile figure in the SRI world over the past
decade, having worked for Jupiter before joining Henderson. He was also
a founding director of the UK Social Investment Forum.
One senior figure who works closely with Henderson said: ‘it would be a
great shock to the system if they were to draw back from this area.
Along with F&C and Morley they are probably the most active in the
field and have been real leaders.’
Brigid Benson, managing director of The Gaeia Partnership, a firm of
independent financial advisers, said: ‘I’d be very disappointed if
Henderson were downscaling its engagement work as this is an incredibly
important area that sends a strong signal to companies about their
behaviour.’
Nick Robins, head of SRI funds at Henderson Global Investors, said:
‘Henderson consists of a range of specialist teams all with a clear
focus, such as technology or Asian equities. SRI is one of these teams
and we are delivering good financial returns. We will continue to
devote resources to this area and recently added to the SRI investment
team with the appointment of Alice Evans as senior analyst.
‘Our mainstream sales teams will be promoting and selling SRI funds alongside our other funds.’
