Implementing our consumer interest expectations
Our company engagement
As a long-term investor, we engage in regular dialogue with the companies we invest in. The aim is both to provide support and to communicate our views as an investor.
Meetings where we discussed consumer interests in 2022 by sector
Meetings where we discussed data privacy in 2022 by sector
Thematic dialogues
We conduct targeted engagements with companies on material sustainability issues using our expectation documents as the point of departure. We typically select groups of companies in industries exposed to specific and severe sustainability risks or opportunities.
Thematic dialogues related to consumer interests
| Themes | Companies | Progress/examples |
|---|---|---|
| ThemesResponsible marketing of infant formula | Companies13 consumer companies | Progress/examplesNestlé SA, Danone SA and Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC publish reports on responsible marketing of infant formula that describe the implementation of their policies and compliance monitoring. |
| ThemesManagement of risks related to child safety online | Companies10 telecoms companies | Progress/examplesBT Group PLC focuses on creating services that are safe for children rather than solely taking down content that is deemed harmful after it is already published. They are also rolling out a bespoke human rights training programme. |
Our voting
Our voting at companies' annual shareholder meeting plays an important role in sageguarding the fund's assets. When voting at shareholder meetings, we consider whether the board operates effectively and whether our shareholder rights are adequately protected.
Selected shareholder proposals related to consumer interests
| Year | Company | Proposal | Mgmt rec | Our vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year2023 | CompanyAmazon.com Inc | ProposalCommission Third Party Study and Report on Risks Associated with Use of Rekognition | Mgmt recAgainst | Our voteFor |
| Year2023 | CompanyAlphabet Inc | ProposalReport on Alignment of YouTube Policies With Online Safety Regulations | Mgmt recAgainst | Our voteFor |
| Year2023 | CompanyAlphabet Inc | ProposalDisclose More Quantitative and Qualitative Information on Algorithmic Systems | Mgmt recAgainst | Our voteFor |
| Year2023 | CompanyMeta Platforms Inc | ProposalReport on Human Rights Impact Assessment of Targeted Advertising | Mgmt recAgainst | Our voteFor |
| Year2023 | CompanyAbbvie Inc | ProposalReport on Impact of Extended Patent Exclusivities on Product Access | Mgmt recAgainst | Our voteFor |
| Year2023 | CompanyRegeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc | ProposalReport on Impact of Extended Patent Exclusivities on Product Access | Mgmt recAgainst | Our voteFor |
Responsible investment in 2022
Further details on our engagement across ESG is also available in our Responsible investment report.
Last saved: 15/08/2023