Ethical Approach

Voyager Asset Management operates an institutional quality investment process that encompasses rigorous fundamental analysis, risk management and ESG integration. 

Since the launch of our ALPHA: r 2 DFM service seven years ago we remain committed to being at the forefront of a transition to a more modern style of investment management.

Responsible investing is a source of alpha, not a drag. Indeed, we believe a drag on performance is linked to companies with poor ESG scores, so we use our screening and analysis process to provide a higher quality subset of the standard investment universe. Investing with ESG integration techniques is well established in the institutional space but has only recently begun to gain traction for retail investors. 

Our job is to take calculated risks with clients’ money. 

We therefore take a robust approach to risk management and go the extra mile to ensure we understand the risk in our portfolios as much as possible.

By maintaining appropriate levels of diversification in terms of asset classes, geography and industry, we try to ensure that risk is: 

Uncovering hidden risks

Ensuring risk is broad based

Aligning risk to client objectives

We remain committed to being at the forefront of a transition to a more modern style of investment management. From inception, we have had a designated ethical offering, the robust construction of which is enabled by IdealRatings, an ESG research provider which had never previously worked with an investment manager in the UK retail space.

Integrating ESG Factors

Environmental

  • Climate change
  • Energy
  • Air pollution
  • Water pollution
  • Water scarcity
  • Biodiversity

Social

  • Human Rights
  • Local community
  • Child labour
  • Working conditions
  • Health and safety
  • Anti corruption

Governance

  • Alignment of interests
  • Executive compensation
  • Board independence
  • Shareholder rights

Focus on Superior Corporate Governance

Reflecting our beliefs, we are proud to be a member of the UK Sustainable Investment & Finance Association (UKSIF), and a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact, the UN’s corporate initiative.



Enhanced Investment Process

We apply an ESG screen across all of our direct equity holdings, for all clients, only selecting companies with high or improving ESG scores. Failing to factor in ESG considerations during the fundamental analysis or a stock or bond serves to potentially misprice that asset in a portfolio, viewing it through a risk lens. 

We pay particular attention to the corporate governance element within this process. VAM’s investment philosophy is not wedded to a particular investment style or trend although the outcome of our process tends to favour a value bias. It addresses the forces, pressures and opportunities afforded by the financial markets at different stages in the economic cycle. We seek to understand trends in asset classes and allocate capital to areas of the market with the greatest opportunity. Diversification is fundamental to our portfolio construction to mitigate risk to deliver consistent longer-term performance.

Our selection of investments is rooted in their potential for providing steady income alongside potential capital growth for a given level of risk. We strive for positive real returns in order to sustain asset values. Dividends, coupons and other forms of income hold an important place in our thinking because they have represented the backbone of long term return historically. A company’s ability to provide a study dividend and to grow iths dividend, or to pay a coupon and redeem its debt, is the essence of good long-term investment.

This disciplined approach allows for the identification of investments with the potential for growth and/or income.

ALPHA: r² Models

We offer 10 ready-made MPS portfolios, varying from low to high risk, including ethical and higher income options.

Each of our six core bespoke portfolios are available in an ethical or higher income variant with a fully customisable asset allocation.

We work with a wide range of specialist tax wrappers to provide solutions for you and your client.

Our Platform solution is available on:

  • Aviva
  • Novia
  • Fidelity Funds Network
  • Standard Life
  • Transact

Defaqto has reviewed and profiled our portfolios against the Defaqto risk profiles. 

The main objective is to provide you and your clients with a meaningful measure of the long term investment risk of our fund strategies.