Introducing Equality Capital.
Many investors don't know into which markets around the world their pensions and investment portfolios are going or indeed how ethical they might be. This means that a proportion of us could unintentionally be funding hate, discrimination and prejudice. In fact, we could be supporting governments in overseas markets that view being LGBT as a crime and still use the death penalty.
Equality Capital is here to educate people on the final destination and ethicality of their investments as the first UK wealth management company to put LGBT front of mind.
The British firm draws upon nearly three decades of private wealth management expertise. It will offer clients a premium wealth management service that drives high financial returns with a notable social edge and anethical conscience. In addition to this core promise – the team at Equality Capital will actively seekout new investment opportunities that make positive differences to the lives of the LGBT community around the world.
Equality Capital screens and scores markets on how ethical they are based on six key criteria:
1. Marriage equality
2. Civil partnerships
3. Discrimination laws in employment
4. Adoption rights
5. Military service rights
6. Legal punishments for being LGBT (e.g. death penalty)
Charlie Nicholls, Managing Partner at Equality Capital commented on its launch: “We aim to createa like-minded community of investors who care about LGBT positive rights and equality. Our socialcommitment doesn’t hinder our ability to earn attractive returns for our clients, in fact it improvesthem as there are many opportunities in LGBT friendly markets.”
Often wealth managers don’t appreciate that when they create globally diverse portfolios they can be investing in regimes and organisations that hinder the freedoms and human rights of LGBTpeople. Many countries, especially those outside the Western World, are crying out for foreign investment. Equality Capital believes this investment should come with conditions and that thechosen sectors or countries should both respect and protect LGBT rights.
Nicholls added: “We are exceptionally lucky here in the UK that our democracy has chosen equality and that our rights are protected by the law. However, there are many places around the world where this is not the case and by making intelligent, well-informed investment decisions, we can ensure that we are not inadvertently supporting areas that contribute to the suffering of LGBT people.”
To help investors to understand how their investments are affecting the international LGBT community, Equality Capital will offer a complimentary online portfolio review. The public will beable to enquire about their current investment portfolios and receive a free report that will grade theethicality and LGBT-friendliness of their investments. Equality Capital will act as Financial Advisors and Discretionary Investment Managers, but can also work with existing Financial Advisors in an intermediary role – meaning clients moving over to the service can keeptheir existing advisors if they wish.
If you want advice on ethical investments that actively protect the rights of LGBT people, visit www.equality.capital and find out more.