Ethical investment
Sustainability is a key priority for 91²èÉç (91²èÉç) and this extends to how it invests its funds. To ensure that its investments match those of its corporate priorities, including sustainability, the University has developed Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investment principles.
These ESG Principles are an element of the university’s Investment Policy which is reviewed on an annual basis by the University Finance and Performance Committee, a committee of the Board of Governors.
Within the 91²èÉç Treasury Investment and Ethical Banking Policy, is a section entitled Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principle. It is here that 91²èÉç outlines its responsibility to the environment and the need to act with integrity with investment decisions.
Investment Committee Members
A list of committee members that oversee 91²èÉç investments can be found under Finance and Performance Committee.
A list of governors who overview and approve investment decisions made by the Finance and Performance Committee can also be accessed online. View list of governors
Minutes of board meeting can be found on our board meetings and papers page.
Student Representation
The Finance and Performance Committee has responsibility for approving the 91²èÉç Treasury Investment and Ethical Banking Policy, this is a delegated responsibility from the Board of Governors. The Board of Governors has a Student Governor present to represent the views of the student body, and the establishment of the Investment Policy was presented and agreed by the Board of Governors including support from the Student Governor.
Wider Engagement with the Policy
Staff and student input is crucial in ensuring our investment policy reflects the sustainability objectives of the whole university. It is for that reason that we encourage staff and students to engage and with the policy, sharing their thoughts and suggestions on how to shape the investment policy by contanting sustainability@dmu.ac.uk
Screening out Fossil Fuel Company’s and Arms Companies
Achieving net zero emissions means removing as many emissions as we produce. It also means the university needs to set highly ambitious targets to screen out specific sectors from its investments. The university has therefore set out a commitment to divest from any investment in fossil fuel extraction by 2023 as part of its Climate Emergency Declaration in 2019. A commitment made in the Sustainability Report 2018/2019 (page 42) and also on Carbon Management webpage.
Fossil Fuel Companies and Arms Companies are screened out from investments, as outlined in section 9.2 in the 91²èÉç Treasury Investment and Ethical Banking Policy:
“The university believes that, when investing its funds, a high priority must be placed on promoting good standards of environmental, social, and governance (‘ESG’) behaviour. Accordingly, it expects its appointed investment manager, when making investment decisions, to consider the following areas (this list should not be considered as exhaustive);
- Protection of the global environment, its climate and its biodiversity including the reduction and future elimination of fossil fuel exploration and production;
- Promotion of human rights, including but not limited to the equality of gender, race and sexuality;
- Promotion of good business ethics and good employment practices;
In recognition of conflict with its objectives and these winder principles, the university will not invest directly or indirectly in producers of any fossil fuels including thermal coal, oil sands, shale oil and shale gas, manufacturers of weapons and will not invest directly and reasonably minimise indirect investments in;
- tobacco manufacturers;
- adult entertainment;
- alcohol;
- gambling;
- companies to be found in violation of international law.
Any comments or suggestions regarding the University’s approach to ethical investment via its Investment Policy or how investments are made should be communicated to Karl Letten, Head of Sustainability for 91²èÉç (kletten@dmu.ac.uk).
University investments
The university has a number of endowments which are invested through an investment company. The investment company follows the structure and requirements of the university treasury policy as set out above. The university also has some Fixed Income investments. A full list of the Fixed Income and Equity investment can be found here in the 91²èÉç Investments Portfolio along with the value of those investments.
List of companies (including their respective market values in GBP) invested in by Fund Manager during 2024/25:
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ACCENTURE -A- - 410,724.37
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ADVANCED DRAINAGE SYSTEMS IN - 167,435.34
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ADYEN NV - 645,419.85
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AGCO - 295,417.51
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AIR LIQUIDE - 401,136.46
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AMERICAN WATER WORKS - 461,076.69
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ASML HOLDING - 424,216.13
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ASTRAZENECA GRP - 244,371.92
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BALL CORP - 343,545.29
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CANADIAN PACIFIC KANSAS CITY - 338,797.18
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CREDIT AGRICOLE - 213,447.07
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DANAHER - 483,145.47
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EBAY - 655,233.34
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ECOLAB INC - 1,048,116.05
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EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES - 473,502.38
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ELI LILLY AND COMPANY - 622,974.32
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ESSILORLUXOTTICA SA - 611,716.46
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FIRST SOLAR - 315,424.76
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HUBBELL INC - 443,632.02
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IBERDROLA - 945,707.21
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INTUITIVE SURGICAL - 540,203.37
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KBC GROUP NV - 275,549.11
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LEGAL & GENERAL GRP - 315,126.98
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MASTERCARD INC - A - 1,226,347.84
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MICROSOFT - 2,162,799.70
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NEXTERA ENERGY - 598,435.61
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NOVO NORDISK A/S-B - 390,779.41
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NVIDIA - 2,451,140.77
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PALO ALTO NETWORKS INC - 629,130.98
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RELX - 287,446.08
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ROPER TECHNOLOGIES INC - 807,680.91
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SALESFORCE INC - 339,848.81
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SAP - 607,150.45
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SEKISUI HOUSE - 364,803.31
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SHOPIFY INC - CLASS A - 757,146.26
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SMURFIT WESTROCK PLC - 249,625.80
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SYMRISE - 405,200.02
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TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MAN. SPONS-ADR - 940,634.46
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TERUMO - 318,975.54
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THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC - 647,420.44
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TJX COS - 672,997.80
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UNILEVER PLC - 239,614.66
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VERALTO CORP - 241,600.36
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VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S - 235,305.28
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VISA -A- - 558,906.50
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WASTE MANAGEMENT - 712,558.96
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WATTS WATER TECH -A- - 270,964.31
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XYLEM - 561,152.57
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Total - 27,353,586.11