Article last updated 22 July 2025.
Rathbone Unit Trust Management Ltd (Rathbones) announces its intention to launch the Rathbone Global Sustainability Fund in July 2018, subject to FCA regulatory approval.
The fund’s objective is to provide a total return in excess of the FTSE World index, over the long term (a minimum of five years), from a portfolio of global equities which meet the fund’s sustainability criteria. This means the fund will invest in companies whose activities or ways of operating are aligned with sustainable development and, therefore, support the achievements of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The fund will actively engage with companies to encourage positive change and will also avoid businesses engaged in unethical or unsustainable practices (please see table in notes to editors).
Fund manager, David Harrison, will be supported by the broader equity team and will work closely with Rathbone Greenbank Investments, Rathbones’ dedicated ethical and sustainable investment division. Rathbone Greenbank Investments also provides the screening for the £1.2 billion (31 May 2018) Rathbone Ethical Bond Fund. David joined Rathbones in 2014, having worked as a portfolio manager at a number of firms including Hermes Investment Management and Merrill Lynch Portfolio Managers, where he focused on investing in companies engaged in positive environmental, social or governance impacts.
The multi-cap fund, which will typically invest in 30-50 securities, intends to follow a similar investment process as Rathbones’ income team, led by Carl Stick, through its focus on fundamentally strong companies with high levels of cash-generation. While there is no income target for the fund, its investment approach is likely to produce a level of income.
Two share classes will be available at launch with the following charges:
Subject to agreement, the fund will sit in the Investment Association’s Global sector.
Mike Webb, chief executive, Rathbone Unit Trust Management, said: “The launch of the Rathbone Global Sustainability Fund was the next logical step for us, building on the success and strong growth of the Rathbone Ethical Bond Fund. There is a growing cohort of clients who want to make a positive impact with their investments, and the launch of this equity fund will help meet this demand.”
He added: “David has many years’ experience as a specialist in this field. This, combined with his skill in portfolio construction and the expertise of Rathbone Greenbank Investments, spanning over 20 years, should mean a compelling new offering for our clients.”
David Harrison, fund manager, Rathbone Global Sustainability Fund, said: “We believe fundamentally strong businesses that are making a tangible positive impact are well-positioned to deliver long-term value creation for investors.”
The information contained in this note is for use by investment advisers and journalists and must not be circulated to private clients or to the general public.
For more information, please contact:
Madhu Kalia
Intermediary PR (UK/Europe)
Rathbone Unit Trust Management
020 7399 0256
07825 596302
madhu.kalia@rathbones.com
Sam Emery/Emma Murphy
Quill PR
020 7466 5056
sam@quillpr.com
emma@quillpr.com
Notes to editors
David Harrison, Manager, Rathbone Global Sustainability Fund
David joined Rathbones in June 2014 and as a portfolio manager on the Rathbone Heritage Fund. Previously, David was a portfolio manager at Merrill Lynch Portfolio Managers for an Environmental Social Governance (ESG) global equity mandate and was a portfolio manager for a European small-mid cap strategy whilst at Hermes Investment Management (he was actively involved on a day-to-day basis for the integration of ESG analysis), on behalf of the BT pension scheme. He has also held positions at Goldman Sachs and Close Brothers.
Rathbone Unit Trust Management
Rathbone Unit Trust Management Limited is a wholly-owned, London-based subsidiary of Rathbones Group PLC. In 1995 and 1996 respectively, Rathbones Group acquired stockbrokers Laurence Keen and Neilson Cobbold, securing many private wealth managers, and their clients. The company also acquired unit trusts from Laurence Keen Unit Trust Management including the Rathbone Income Fund - the success of which led to a rebranding of the operation in 1999 to Rathbone Unit Trust Management Limited. Through its subsidiaries, the parent company manages £37.8 billion of client funds, of which £5.3 billion is managed by Rathbone Unit Trust Management Limited. (As at 31 March 2018).
Rathbone Greenbank Investments
Rathbone Greenbank Investments is the dedicated ethical and sustainable investment team of Rathbones, one of the UK’s leading investment managers. As specialists, the team knows how to balance financial objectives with ethical, social and environmental concerns. Ethical investment is not one strategy among many: it is ingrained in every aspect of how Rathbone Greenbank manages money. The team is one of the most experienced in this field and has been a pioneer in driving change in business and society through ethical investment.
About Rathbones:
rathbones.com
Rathbones Group PLC
Rathbones Group PLC (Rathbones), through its subsidiaries, is one of the UK’s leading providers of investment management services for individuals, charities and professional advisers. This includes discretionary investment management, unit trusts, tax planning, trust and company management, financial advice and banking services. Rathbones manages £37.8 billion of assets (as at 31 March 2018). This includes £5.3 billion managed by Rathbone Unit Trust Management. Rathbones has over 1,100 staff in 16 locations across the UK and Jersey.
Rathbone Investment Management Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Registered office: Port of Liverpool Building, Pier Head, Liverpool L3 1NW. Registered in England No. 1448919. Rathbone Investment Management Limited is part of Rathbones Group PLC. Head office 8 Finsbury Circus London EC2M 7AZ.
