By MARK HINTON 15/06/2007
This fund employs a ‘dark green’ approach to ethical investing in UK equities and has been managed by Audrey Ryan since January 1999. An independent ethical screening tool precludes the manager from investing in companies involved in areas such as nuclear power, animal testing and oppressive regimes. Companies which derive 10% or more in turnover from gambling, alcohol production and tobacco will also be avoided. Stock ideas are generated from across the UK team and the portfolio tends to have a bias towards medium and smaller companies in the UK.
This fund is a possible alternative, or a complement, to the F&C Stewardship funds or to Standard Life UK Ethical. The proven track record of the manager gives us the confidence to award it three stars.