The Trust Company (RE Services) Limited, the responsible entity for the Metrics Real Estate Multi-Strategy Fund, has enhanced its corporate governance and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. The company has implemented a comprehensive risk management framework and a commitment to responsible investment, reflecting its dedication to high standards of governance and sustainability.
Material actions and disclosures
Perpetual has established a robust risk management framework (RMF) that aligns with international standards, such as ISO 31000:2018. The RMF is reviewed annually and includes supporting frameworks, programs, and policies that are regularly assessed for effectiveness. This framework is designed to support the management of specific risks considered material to Perpetual, covering areas such as strategy and execution, people, financial, market and treasury, investment, product and distribution, operational resilience, conduct and fraud, information technology, cyber/data security, sustainability, and responsible investing.
The company also has a whistleblowing policy and an anti-bribery and corruption policy to protect directors, executives, employees, and contractors who report misconduct. Compliance with Perpetual’s Code of Conduct is mandatory for all employees, and breaches are considered serious matters that may impact performance and reward outcomes.
Forward commitments
Perpetual aims to continue its commitment to responsible investment and ESG factors, which are integral to its investment process. Metrics, the investment manager, has expanded its focus to a modern ‘double materiality’ approach, considering the impact of its investments and business on the world at large, as well as the impact of ESG factors on the financial performance of the entities in which it invests.
Metrics incorporates ESG into its investment process by analysing and assessing each potential investment on material environmental, social, and governance factors that may impact the relevant industry. This includes environmental issues such as GHG emissions, water use, land use, biodiversity, and waste and pollution; social issues such as workforce and diversity, safety management, customer engagement, and community engagement; and governance issues such as structure and oversight, code and values, transparency and reporting, and financial and operational risk assessment.
Perpetual’s commitment to these practices is underpinned by its Enterprise Behaviours framework, which is embedded into its performance management process and supports all aspects of the way the company conducts its business.
These enhancements reflect Perpetual’s ongoing commitment to high standards of governance and sustainability, ensuring that its operations and investments align with the broader objectives of a fair, equitable, and sustainable society.