UCA Funds Management has announced a further commitment to gender diversity for 2016. The ethical funds manager intends to monitor the proportion of women on company boards in which it invests.
This initiative supports the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) 2015 goal to ensure women comprise 30 per cent of all boards in the ASX 200 by 2018.
Michael Walsh, CEO of UCA funds management believes the decision reflects the organisation’s commitment to reflect the strong ethical principles of its investors.
“We feel privileged that when people choose to invest with us, they entrust us to deliver on our approach. In other words, not only do we maintain consistently competitive investment returns but we reflect ethical values in the choice of companies in which we invest and our engagement with them. The role of women in leadership is important to many of our investors. We have decided that our proxy voting policy should reflect a commitment in this area,” said Walsh.
The ethical funds manager is also keen to lead by example. It currently has two women on its board and is about to search for a third to reach a target of at least 30 per cent representation by the end of 2016.
Current board member Jane Bell encourages women everywhere to put up their hand for board representation.
“I’m keen to see more women represented on Australian boards. My association with UCA Funds Management has enabled me to contribute to the ethical choices investors can select when they wish to make a difference. Knowing that my work on the board ultimately supports the wider community is very satisfying,” said Bell.
Walsh said that ACSI is a very important organisation and their approach is very sensible and simple.
“It is important to vote in order to have better representation,” said Walsh.
Visit www.ucafunds.com.au for more information.