Welcome to our first Phoenix CIS quarterly bulletin. We look forward to keeping you up-to-date with recent developments across the CIS business and in our market. It's been a busy summer for the CIS team, so here's a round up of all our latest fund launches, team news and industry insights.
_________________________________________________________
New Fund Launches
We've launched three new funds this quarter, with a continued focus on ESG, impact and carbon transitions on the platform:
- Northern Trust Quality Low Volatility Low Carbon World Fund
This fund looks to exclude securities that do not meet certain Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria whilst seeking a reduction in carbon intensity and potential emissions from fossil fuels relative to the index.
- Wellington Global Impact Bond
Investing primarily in debt issued by companies and organisations, with the belief they are addressing specific environmental and social challenges in a differentiated way through their core products, services and projects.
- LGIM Low Carbon Transition Global Equity Index Fund
The investment objective of the fund is to track the performance of the Solactive L&G Low Carbon Transition Global Index.
You can download our latest fund list here.
_________________________________________________________
PMI Academy Partnership
In July we hosted our first training session for the Pensions Management Institute on Understanding Investment Only Platform Solutions.
We provided an insight into some of the solutions that platforms can enable for pension schemes, from achieving time and cost efficiencies to accessing a wider range of investment options and support with governance and regulatory reporting. You can access the recording here.
We have also published a learning manual on the same topic, which is now available to download on the PMI website.
_________________________________________________________
Awards
We are thrilled to be finalists at this year's PMI Pinnacle Awards in the Innovation in New Product or Service category.
We've been shortlisted for the innovative private equity solution we delivered on our platform for a DC Master Trust client, overcoming the challenges associated with investing in an illiquid asset class and giving members access to private market assets offering higher investment growth potential.
Read more about the awards here.
We are also delighted to announce that Jess Williams, Head of CIS, has been shortlisted for two awards. She is a finalist in the Team Leader of the Year category at this year's Women in Pensions Awards, and has also been shortlisted for Distribution Woman of the Year at the Women in Investment Awards.
We look forward to the awards ceremonies in November.
_________________________________________________________
Industry Insights
We recently published two insight videos on topics that are of particular interest to our clients and their advisors at this time.
In our first video, Client Relationship Manager Kieron Snow discusses private market investment opportunities for DC schemes and Master Trusts, exploring some of the key challenges and considerations for trustees alongside the solutions now available to them.
You can access the recording here.
In our second video, Head of CIS Jess Williams highlights some of the key challenges facing trustees in relation to scheme governance and reporting, and explains the support that platforms can now offer to help ease the regulatory burden.
Watch a recording of the video here.
_________________________________________________________
Industry Events
Earlier this month, Client Relationship Manager Kieron Snow took part in a panel discussion on the future of private markets in DC investing hosted by Partners Group.
Panellists included DC experts from Barnett Waddingham and the DWP, and the session was moderated by Partners Group board member Anne Lester.
It was a great opportunity to focus on the value that private market investments can add to a DC default, and explore some of the recent positive developments in this area. There was a consensus among trustees and investment consultants in attendance that we're likely to see greater adoption of private market allocations from DC investors in the near future.
_________________________________________________________
Race for Life
In July the CIS team took part in Race for Life, for which Phoenix Group's Standard Life brand is the new headline sponsor.
We ran, jogged and walked the 10K and 5K Victoria Park events in London (or took part virtually from the Isle of Wight in the case of Client Relationship Manager Kieron Snow!)
A great team effort for a very worthy cause, and all funds raised have been matched by Phoenix Group.
_________________________________________________________
Looking Ahead
Look out for more news from the CIS team in Q4. We have several new fund launches in the pipeline, and are looking forward to collaborating with industry peers at a number of events over the Autumn.
In November we will be holding our second training session in partnership with the PMI, and a further case study is also scheduled for publication later this year - follow us on LinkedIn for updates.