Investing ethically can pay off both for the planet and you. Despite a challenging market, the latest Good Investment Review reports that responsible funds have brought similar returns to their traditional peers this year so far – while ALSO making a positive environmental and/or social impact.
It says: “Responsible Investment funds have shown their power and potential by achieving comparable returns while investing in sustainable and/or social solutions.”
Advisers who understand how to invest in this area are experts in picking the right green and ethical funds to make a positive difference to the planet and society, while also achieving attractive returns. Here are nine of the best.
Jeannie Boyle, EQ Investors
EQ Investors (EQ) has a commitment to ethical investing, has its own charitable foundation and was one of the first recipients of the Good With Money Good Egg mark. Jeannie is a Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society at the firm.
She launched EQ’s Positive Impact Portfolios, which are invested in a well-diversified mix of targeted funds that are actively managed. They can be held both in ISAs (tax-free savings) and SIPPs (personal pension). These portfolios invest in companies that intend to have a good effect on the planet, and actively avoid those that don’t.
In February 2024, EQ was awarded the highest-possible rating in all categories by the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (the world’s largest global reporting project for responsible investors).
EQ offers a free initial consultation.
Path Financial
Path Financial is the first financial planning firm set up purposefully to tackle climate change and make a positive difference in the world rather than focusing on performance and profit alone. The company has a Good Egg mark from Good With Money. It has also achieved B-Corp status.
David MacDonald set up the business in 2019 with the aim of revolutionising savings and giving power to people who care about making a difference with their money.
In 2021, Path Financial launched the UK’s first a Climate Solutions Portfolio, created specifically for people looking to tackle the climate emergency with their pensions and investments. The firm offers a free initial consulation.
BlueSphere
BlueSphere was founded to support clients in making the world a better place, by aligning their investments with their values and beliefs. It has earned the Good With Money Good Egg mark and is also a certified B Corp company.
The firm enables clients to generate a return on their investment and at the same time, support the companies that are creating the solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges. All investments made through BlueSphere are put into companies that are working hard to help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Switchfoot Wealth
Launched in 2018, Switchfoot Wealth provides independent financial advice and wealth management services for private clients, businesses and fiduciaries. What sets it apart from others is its belief that “all financial planning should be sustainable financial planning.”
It shows clients the environmental and social impact of their money and supports them to make better long-term choices – for their own future and for the planet’s. The services it offers includes pension planning, life assurance, income protection, and investments/regular savings.
As well as being a Good With Money ‘Good Egg’ firm, Switchfoot Wealth is also a certified B Corp – a growing group of future-focused companies that make up a global movement of people using business as a force for good.
Switchfoot Wealth offers a free initial phone consultation.
Castlefield
Castlefield is a family of investment and advisory businesses with a focus on clients’ values. It calls this approach “thoughtful investing.” Established in 2002, the core team came from the UK fund management arm of a pan-European private banking group. Managing investments for charities was a major focus and it still is today.
Following the acquisition of the UK’s two oldest ethical advice firms, it is now an integrated advice and investment management group, widely recognised for its expertise in responsible and sustainable investment. It also funds a grant-making charitable trust that shares in the business’s profits.
Castlefield partners with The Charity Service to offer the Castlefield Individual Philanthropy Account, a philanthropy service to help clients give money to charity in an easy and meaningful way.
Tanya Pein, In2 Planning
Tanya offers financial advice mostly to charities and individuals with larger portfolios. She specialises in sustainable investment and holistic financial planning, and has been a Board Director of the UK Sustainable Investment & Finance Association (UKSIF).
Tanya is Board Director of The Learning Planet Institute, an organisation that looks at new ways of learning and cooperating that respond to the needs of youth and the planet.
She also provides training on Environmental, Social and Governance standards for charities.
Ethical Futures
Ethical Futures was founded in 2005 on the belief that money has the power for good. Based in Edinburgh, the small but growing team helps clients to align their investments with their values while also building a solid financial foundation for their own futures.
Ethical Futures only offers investments that are responsibly managed, ethically screened, or thematically focused to make a positive impact on the planet and society.
The firm offers its services to people from all walks and stages of life. There are no minimum income or investment requirements and the first meeting with one of its experienced financial planners is free.
Cleona Lira, Conscious Money
Cleona Lira is an independent chartered financial planner specialising in ethical investing. She works with a small client base, helping them to build an investment portfolio in line with their core values. With a psychology background, she also enjoys helping people develop greater awareness around their attitudes to money.
Cleona works with clients who have a minimum of £400,000 in assets to manage (as an individual or couple). Her fees start at £2,000.
Amber River True Bearing
Amber River True Bearing is an independent firm of chartered financial advisers based in the north west of England. In January 2022 it joined forces with a number of regional IFAs across the UK, who are collectively called Amber River.
The firm provides regular, thorough training for its 22 staff in sustainable investment.
If you’d like to find out more about the above providers, a Which? membership gives you access to in-depth, expert reviews, ‘Best Buys’ and ‘Don’t Buys.’
If you want to have a savings account, insurance policy, investment fund or mortgage from companies that do the right thing, check out our Good Eggs.
These are companies that have passed strict (independent) criteria to prove they make a positive impact – to the planet, society, and you.
