Impact-focused fund managers across asset classes are making positive headway on their contributions to core
sustainability themes, according to UK-based impact investor Snowball.

Snowball works and invests with other fund managers to deliver its impact investment strategy. It has published the latest iteration of its impact report, which has surveyed the progress of these fund managers on net zero, biodiversity, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), reporting largely positive progress.

“The type of managers we work with varies significantly – from those managing billions to smaller managers focused
on venture capital and early-stage strategies,” Henry Bacon, Principal at Snowball, told ESG Investor.

“It’s therefore challenging to apply one lens to all of them, so we have instead tried to encapsulate a broader understanding of where they all are [against the assessed themes], fully appreciating that there will be variance in their responses.”

Snowball has especially singled out the need to make progress on DEI.

“Ensuring a strong DEI focus isn’t just the right thing to do, but the smart thing to do,” said Laura Boyle, Principal at Snowball.

“We see a positive correlation between companies being managed in such a way that encourages diversity of thought
and business success.”

US-based asset manager Wellington stood out for its strong DEI focus for racially minoritised groups, the report said, noting that the firm provides students of African/Black heritage opportunities to transition into careers at Wellington through tuition support, paid internships and mentoring.

Snowball also assessed its own progress on DEI and seeks to set a standard here, noting that more than 50% of the senior leadership, board, investment decision-makers and investment committee are women and over 25% of its board are Black or ethnically minoritised women.

Read the full interview by Emmy Hawker published in ESG Investor.

About Snowball

Snowball is a leading impact platform investing for impact, risk and attractive financial returns. Investors choose Snowball to gain access to over 800 impact solutions targeting world changing returns.

Snowball is also a high scoring certified B Corporation and ranked in the top 5 percent of all B Corporations globally for the governance structure designed to protect impact goals. snowball.im

The Snowball team and board include the following women leaders, each working on driving change across the investment industry. Its board is 25 percent Black and ethnically minoritised women.

• Daniela Barone Soares OBE, CEO

• Janine Nicholls, COO

• Danielle Palmour Walker, CEO of Friends Provident Foundation

• Patricia Lewis, experienced investor and NED

• Christine Chang, CIO of the Pathway Fund

• Surabhi Narenranath, Principal

• Laura Boyle, Principal

About ESG Investor.

ESG Investor covers the issues that matter most to the sustainable investment teams of asset owners and managers.

• Regulatory developments impacting institutional investors’ sustainable investment strategies, disclosures and obligations

• Frameworks, guidance and norms aimed at enabling more effective integration of sustainability / ESG factors into investment decisions

• Evolution of stewardship and engagement practices to reflect the role of policy in addressing systemic risks faced by investors

• Expansion of the solutions and tools available to investors as they pursue opportunities to support a sustainable, resilient and equitable economy