Downing receives B Corp status
Downing LLP – the parent company of Downing Crowd – has received B Corp status.
This indicates that the business has good environmental, social and governance (ESG) fundamentals and promotes transparency.
The investment manager joins more than 5,000 other companies worldwide in winning the B Lab certification.
The process evaluates a company using more than 200 criteria across five categories: governance, environment, workers, community and customers.
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“As providers of debt and equity, investors have a powerful role in achieving net environmental gain, positive societal outcomes and ensuring organisations are well governed,” said Roger Lewis, head of ESG at Downing LLP.
“We are pleased to be advocating stakeholder capitalism through our B Corp status, whereby our success now includes that of our clients, staff, communities and the planet.
“In achieving B Corp status, we are underlining our commitment to weaving sustainable investment throughout everything we do. This includes valuing material ESG factors, ongoing active ownership, and reporting and advocacy.
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“This approach has materialised in several initiatives over the years, including introducing wildlife and protecting biodiversity at our solar sites, investing in special educational needs schools and care homes, and partnering with local organisations to educate children about renewable energy.”
Downing LLP offers a number of investment services, including fixed rate bonds, which are operated under the Downing Crowd brand.
More than £182m has been raised via Downing bonds to date, with investors earning average annual returns of 5.28 per cent.
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