PRI

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Principles for Responsible Investment

Since June 2007, we have been a signatory to the UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment.

The principles broadly encourage the integration and analysis of environmental, social and corporate governance characteristics within the companies we invest in for our clients

How we apply the principles

We recognise that applying these principles may better align VFMC and our clients with the broader objectives of society. Therefore, where consistent with our fiduciary responsibilities, we commit to the following:

Incorporate ESG

Incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes

Assess potential managers and work with existing managers to ensure Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues are considered as part of their portfolio construction process, operational and management platforms and as a driver of employee behaviour
Ensure managers have a commitment to ESG and have appropriate policies and reporting in place either via the PRI or suitable, measurable and disclosable alternatives. Key areas are: compliance, good practice, strategy and management across both investment and operational areas
Ensure managers appropriately resource ESG areas

Seek appropriate disclosure

Seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest

Encourage external managers to disclose ESG issues in quarterly reports, annual sustainability reports and in response to market or stakeholder interest
Encourage companies to integrate ESG issues within their annual reports

Be active owners

Be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices

Exercise our voting rights
Work with Regnan to facilitate an active engagement process for our holdings in the S&P/ASX200
Require external managers to report on an annual basis on their ESG activities
For property portfolios encourage managers to use and comply with sustainability rating systems across property portfolios (eg: NABERS, Green Star, etc)

Promote acceptance

Promote acceptance and implementation of the principles within the investment industry

Ask our external managers to report to VFMC on their ESG activities and provide examples of how managers have integrated ESG issues into their investment analysis
Incorporate ESG issues into our standard RFPs

Work together

Work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the principles

Support appropriate industry initiatives designed to promote the consideration of ESG issues
Support Regnan in its engagement activities
Where appropriate participate in industry, government or community initiatives

Report on our activities

Report on our activities and progress towards implementing the principles

Report our proxy voting record to our clients and publish a summary of our voting record on our web site
Publish our ESG policy on our web site

We believe that the PRI provides an important universal framework for signatories to work together, learn from each other and provide a collective voice on ESG issues.

We also believe that the PRI will continue to grow as a framework for investors to communicate their expectations on ESG issues to their investee companies.