Responsible investment

We are dedicated to providing world-leading investment expertise and client solutions, led by our Principles of Responsible Investment and Stewardship. These principles are integral to each investment team, our overall business management and the culture of the firm.

A specialist responsible investment team supports the integration of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) into our processes, and provides a forum for collaboration on emerging ESG issues. Since 2007, we have been signatories to the United Nation’s Principles for Responsible Investment and have had group-wide stewardship principles in place since 2013.

Investment capabilities

We offer a comprehensive suite of investment capabilities across a number of sought-after asset classes. We have 11 teams operating across equities, fixed income, infrastructure, property and alternative credit.

Our brands include AlbaCore Capital Group, a leading European alternative credit specialist; FSSA Investment Managers, an Asian and global emerging markets equities investor; Igneo Infrastructure Partners, our direct infrastructure business; RQI Investors, a quantitative equities manager; and Stewart Investors, a pioneer in emerging market equities and sustainable investing.

Corporate sustainability

We have a proud history of responsible investing, and we are also passionate about holding our own global operations to the same high standards of corporate behaviour and practices that we expect of the companies that we invest our clients’ money in.

We are on a journey of continuous improvement in our pursuit of sustainable business practices. Our work in improving the sustainability of our operations is adjacent to and complements our Responsible Investment team's focus on integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into investment processes.

Certified B Corporation

In 2022, First Sentier Investors became a globally Certified B Corporation (B Corp). 

B Corp Certification provides a framework that we can use to effectively assess our operations against high standards from an environmental, social and governance point of view, as well as to identify areas where we can enhance and improve. B Corp certified companies are verified every three years on whether they continue to meet the rigorous evolving standards.

Our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan

We are proud to be taking the first steps in our Reconciliation journey to contribute more meaningfully towards positive social change between First Nations and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians.

With our heritage deeply connected to Australia, where we are headquartered on Gadigal land, at Barangaroo, we embrace the opportunity to learn and strengthen our relationships with First Nations communities. We commissioned an artwork, ‘Mosaic Journey’ by Tarni Bene, a proud Mununjali, Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi woman, to reflect our commitment to reconciliation.

Our history

Our business started in Australia in 1988, and has grown to become a global asset management business with a diverse client base and operations spanning Australia, Asia, Europe and North America.

On 2 August 2019, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation acquired our business from Commonwealth Bank of Australia, and we now operate as a standalone global investment management business. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

Formerly known as Colonial First State Global Asset Management in Australia, and First State Investments elsewhere, the firm has now rebranded to First Sentier Investors.