Ethics
Balancing
opportunity with integrity
The CFB is committed to seeking both superior returns and improving ethical standards.
Positive approach
We seek to improve the ethical profile of our portfolios by avoiding investments in particular businesses and encouraging better practices in others.
Company engagement
We view our investments as long term partnerships with company managements. We engage in constructive dialogue and practise active voting to challenge social, environmental and ethical considerations.
Integrated process
Ethical research integrated with financial analysis is key to our investment process. Fund managers are responsible for both financial and ethical analysis.
Clear policy
Comprehensive policy statements and position papers offer a reference for clients and a clear focus for fund managers.
Theological grounding
The Joint Advisory Committee on the Ethics of Investment provides a unique and robust mechanism for testing ethical investment decisions against theological principles.
Quarterly review
September 2024
Stewardship Code
During the quarter we received confirmation that our FRC Stewardship Code submission was approved, and we remain signatories for another year. The theme this year was ’50 years of better’, recognising the significance of the heritage that the CFB and Epworth have in ethical investing. Our latest report can be found here
Continue reading →Nestlé
Following on from our voting pre-declaration on Nestle regarding healthy foods, we had an opportunity to meet with the company and ask questions of the approach. The resolution was defeated overall, despite ours and other investors’ support for it. From the meeting, we were pleased that Nestle has committed to a target that is meaningful and are committed to growing the nutritious side of the portfolio.
Continue reading →More quarterly reviews
Serving
the Methodist Church
The Joint Advisory Committee on the Ethics of Investment (JACEI) provides CFB with advice on ethical issues and reports to the Methodist Conference on CFB compliance with the aims and objectives of the Church.
JACEI Report
The JACEI Report is produced for the Methodist Conference outlining its activities each year. An abbreviated version is also produced. Together they provide a comprehensive survey of the issues that we have addressed...
The Climate emergency
Evidence continues to mount that the Earth is warming and yet greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise.
Working
in partnership
Active membership of global networks and partnerships provide a powerful united voice when dealing with multinational corporations and assist us and our clients to make informed ethical investment decisions.
The Stewardship Code
The CFB supports investor engagement with companies and is a signatory to the Financial Reporting Council's Stewardship Code.
Read our detailed 2023 Stewardship Report in response to the 2023 Stewardship Code.
Montréal Pledge
The CFB is a signatory of the Montréal Carbon Pledge and is committed to a voluntary disclosure of the results. Read the CFB's Montréal Pledge Disclosure.
Recent Policy Statements
Please contact us for other policy statements and position papers.
Have your say...
Our ethics are based on Methodist Church principles. We welcome feedback on an ethical issue. If you would like to discuss these please contact the Chair of JACEI Rachel Parkinson on 020 7467 5245.