JEDDAH — SEDCO Capital, a global Shariah-compliant asset manager, announced Tuesday that it has received the highest possible rating by the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in recognition of the firm’s approach to responsible investing and integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into its investment solutions. The scores were tabulated and published in the PRI Assessment Report 2020.

According to the PRI, the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment, SEDCO Capital has been awarded the highest possible rating, A+, for its overall strategy and governance. The firm also received top ratings for three successive years in its approach to the selection, appointment, and monitoring of managers in both listed and private equity.

The firm outperformed its median peer scores in all categories that were assessed. Moreover, it achieved consistent A+ ratings for private equity and listed equity incorporation and made significant progress in active ownership in listed equity.

Samer Abu Aker, CEO of SEDCO Capital, said: “We are honored to be recognized as a global leader in sustainable and responsible investing by the PRI. SEDCO Capital’s impressive performance is a testament to its Prudent Ethical Investment (PEI) approach, an innovative hybrid of Shariah-compliant and ESG investment principles, reinforced by the firm’s high governance standards and value-enhancing partnerships. It is also a result of the trusted and longstanding partnerships we have built over the years with our clients.

“By aligning our interests with theirs we are able to maximize risk-adjusted returns while generating a positive impact on society and the environment. All of this has been made possible by the innovative spirit and world class professionalism that our team demonstrates every single day.

“We would also like to thank the PRI network for its continuous support. We value being a part of this growing network of investment professionals and we will continue to work effortlessly to excel on all fronts outlined by the PRI.”

In 2014, SEDCO Capital was the first Saudi Arabian and Shariah-compliant asset manager to sign the PRI Initiative. Since then, responsible investment at the Firm has been overseen by Christian Gueckel, SEDCO Capital’s chief risk officer, who said: “For years, our approach has been to ensure that every dollar invested is one that creates more value for both investors and society.

“As the first Saudi Arabian and Shariah-compliant asset manager to be a signatory of PRI, we are pleased that the latest PRI assessment results validate our unwavering commitment to seamlessly integrating ESG principles into the fabric of our investment decisions.”

Founded in 2005, the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), is a United Nations-supported international network of investors working to achieve six aspirational principles of investment. Its annual assessment report compares improvements in signatories’ ESG integration activities year-on-year, across asset classes, and with peers at local and global level. — SG