Quilter is the winner of the Best ESG Solution for Advisers category for the 2024 Professional Adviser Awards. In the below interview, we delve into the network's sustainable philosophy and how it works with advisers...
How has the changing sentiment toward ESG solutions impacted your approach?
The investment world is rapidly changing and the sentiment towards how we consider ESG factors within our investment proposition has shifted.
At Quilter, we understand that investing responsibly is not a binary choice. WealthSelect provides a range of investment options across a broad set of responsible investment considerations, to offer investors a suitable solution that matches their unique needs and preferences.
WealthSelect has evolved to offer both Responsible and Sustainable portfolios, providing advisers and their clients the flexibility to determine how ESG factors are considered in their investments. For example, the Sustainable Portfolios provide the option for investors to support sustainable solutions to environmental and social challenges.
How did you work with advisers to build the solution?
We worked in collaboration with financial advisers to understand the intricacies of their advice process and ensure WealthSelect gives them the power to provide their clients with a solution that matches their investment needs and preferences.
This collaborative approach included delivering Personal Finance Society accredited adviser training to enhance their understanding of ESG factors and how to incorporate them into their advice process.
We also developed a suite of innovative tools including the Quilter Client Profiler and the Quilter Solutions Explorer, allowing advisers to assess and record their clients' responsible investment preferences and then find a suitable investment solution.
What does ESG mean and look like for Quilter?
We are responding to current global challenges by committing to invest responsibly so that we can help create prosperity for both the generations of today and tomorrow.
The WealthSelect portfolio management team is supported by our dedicated responsible investment team who focus on voting, engagement, stewardship, and data as well as supporting fund analysis.
Meanwhile, the manager research team incorporate responsible investment into their fund assessment process.
How does the solution fill a gap in the market?
WealthSelect fills a gap in the market by providing choice to investors, enabling them, within one investment solution, to select a portfolio that aligns with their preferences today, while having the flexibility to adapt in the future.
What are the next steps for developing the solution to its next phase?
Looking ahead, we see further evolution of the proposition to meet the needs of investors. We will continue to help advisers and their clients understand the investment landscape and plan to deliver enhanced training, improve our online tools like the Quilter Client Profiler, and improve client communications by incorporating investor feedback and behavioural science learnings.
This is a market we see growing as wealth transfers between generations and the focus on environmental issues continues to grow.
