Russell Investments earns fifth-consecutive A+ rating for strategy and governance in global industry assessment of responsible investing

UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment also rates the firm high in all assessed categories

TORONTO, August 18, 2020Russell Investments has earned the highest possible score of “A+” for responsible investing strategy and governance from the United Nations–supported Principles for Responsible Investment’s (PRI) annual evaluation. This industry–leading recognition also includes an “A” or “A+” score for each of the specific asset classes assessed, including fixed income, private equity and infrastructure.

Each year, PRI signatories disclose their responsible investment policies and procedures through a detailed reporting framework. Compliant signatories’ ESG credentials are reviewed on an individual and peer-relative basis, and they ultimately are assessed scores in respective categories on an alphabetical scale from “A+” to “E”.

“Our consistently high rating from this globally respected benchmark is a testament to our entire Investment Division’s enduring commitment to responsible investing,” said Global Chief Investment Officer Peter Gunning, who also serves as an executive sponsor for the firm’s Global Responsible Investment Committee. “While we submitted this year’s credentials prior to the record-setting market volatility and COVID-19 shutdowns, our sharp focus on ESG leadership has remained intact through these challenging times. Our clients aren’t wavering in their desire for responsible investing and our data-driven approach addresses their concerns without sacrificing return.”

Russell Investments has made great strides over the years in incorporating the PRI principles into its processes including manager research, portfolio management and proxy voting/engagement. In addition, considering and incorporating ESG-specific strategies such as the firm’s proprietary decarbonisation strategy and ESG tilting methodology, are an important part of Russell Investments product-development process. Each asset class team, for example, features an ESG knowledge specialist who is responsible for taking steps to ensure that the firm’s ranking process is consistently applied across asset classes. The firm also employs investment specialists within its capital markets research team. They are tasked with monitoring ESG trends and their potential impacts on the overall market.

“We are steadfastly committed to the PRI’s six principles1 in order to best support our clients and society in responsible and sustainable investing,” Gunning said.

Russell Investments has been a PRI signatory since 2009. More information on the firm’s commitment to responsible investing is available here.

About PRI

The number of PRI signatories total in excess of 3,000 organizations—spanning investment managers, asset owners and service providers from 60 countries and representing about US$100 trillion in assets. The PRI works with its international network of signatories to put the six Principles for Responsible Investment into practice. Its goals are to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance issues and to support signatories in integrating these issues into investment and ownership decisions. The Assessment Report is designed to provide feedback to the signatories to support them in their ongoing learning and development in this regard. More information about PRI and its assessment reports can be found on the following website: https://www.unpri.org/signatories/reporting-and-assessment.

About Russell Investments Canada Limited

Russell Investments Canada Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Russell Investments Group, Ltd. Established in 1985, Russell Investments Canada Limited has its head office in Toronto.

About Russell Investments

Russell Investments is a leading global investment firm providing tailored solutions and services to institutions and individuals through financial intermediaries. Russell Investments is dedicated to improving people’s financial security, leveraging an 83–year client–centric heritage rooted in investment innovation. Since 1985, for example, with the launch of our first tax-exempt bond fund, the firm has been helping investors grow after-tax wealth. Russell Investments is the fourth–largest adviser in the world with $284.8 billion in assets under management (as of 6/30/2020) and $2.5 trillion in assets under advisement (as of12/31/2019) for clients in 32 countries. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Russell Investments operates through 21 additional offices in major financial centers such as New York, London, Tokyo and Shanghai.


1 UN Principles of Responsible Investment. The PRI Principles are voluntary and an aspirational set of investment principles. Available at: unpri.org/pri


Contact:
Steve Claiborne, 206-505-1858, newsroom@russelllinvestments.com