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.

* The use of investor rights and influence to protect and enhance overall long-term value for clients and beneficiaries, including the common economic, social and environmental factors on which their interests depend.

Investment capabilities

We offer a comprehensive suite of investment capabilities across a number of asset classes.

We have 11 teams operating across equities, fixed income and infrastructure. Our brands include; FSSA Investment Managers, an Asian and global emerging markets equities investor 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.

Overall B Impact Score

Based on the B Impact Assessment, First Sentier Investors earned an overall score of 107.2/200 (as at November 2022).

* Ensuring a company is well managed with effective systems and controls in place to achieve its purposes efficiently and fairly, uses accurate and transparent accounting methods, pursues integrity in carrying out its business, seeks and diversity in selecting its leadership and employees, and is accountable to its shareholders.

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 (MUFG) acquired our business from Commonwealth Bank of Australia, and we now operate as a 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.