Our sustainability commitments

Delivering on our vision of an unrivalled experience for our clients, employees and society, we are continuing on our drive to create positive impact through four focused goals by 2026.

As at April 2024

Cleaner investments

Our commitment: 30% reduction in the carbon intensity of our Strategic Asset Allocations (SAAs) by 2026

We completed the first phase in July 2021 with our US equity exposures. Phase two of our SAA reduction project was implemented in 2022, with a focus on making our credit investments cleaner, switching over £200m of assets in traditional corporate bonds to bonds that are 70% less carbon intensive, while retaining a similar return profile. In 2023, phase 3 of decarbonisation focused on Japanese equity exposures. Following extensive research on carbon reductions and index methodology, as well as considering tracking error and cost, the new products implemented were over 40% less carbon-intensive. In December 2023, we switched over £200m of assets, with a further £50m in February 2024.

In addition, we enhanced our ESG integration within our investment process via fund manager due diligence and ESG convictions framework.

This allows better due diligence on the fund managers we invest with to review how they incorporate ESG into their investment process, their voting and engagement policies and diversity and inclusion. Our engagement project addressed net zero and climate commitments of passive managers. Another focal theme was biodiversity, which led us to join a collaborative investor initiative, Investor Policy Dialogue on Deforestation (IPDD).

Sustainable choices

Our commitment: Reduce our Scope 1,2 & 3* CO₂ emissions and become carbon neutral from 2021

Back in 2021, we committed to reducing our Scope 1, 2 & 3 CO₂ emissions and pledged that our business would become carbon-neutral. Since then, we have partnered with World Land Trust (WLT) to offset our carbon footprint every year, by supporting the organisation’s Carbon Balanced project in Guatemala. We will soon offset 2023’s unavoidable emissions through the same programme. When selecting a carbon offset partner, we prioritised credibility. After comparing six options and extensive due diligence, we opted for the World Land Trust's Carbon Balanced program. The WLT was selected for their pedigree as well as their wide range of offsetting schemes and willingness to form a close partnership with 7IM. The World Land Trust works with hundreds of landowners, including local communities, to register and obtain land titles to protect threatened coastal forest for the benefit of the region’s biodiversity. We are proud to continue our partnership with the World Land Trust.

During 2023, the UK Group exited an office in Edinburgh and moved from two offices to a new single office in London as part of the Group’s property consolidation. During this process, there was a period of overlap with multiple leases, causing higher emissions in 2023. The resulting consolidation of office space in a more energy-efficient building during 2023 is expected to lead to a decrease in carbon intensity in future.

In line with the sustainability commitment made by the business in 2021, rail travel now represents 54% of the total distance travelled throughout 2023. The number of journeys by air increased to 11% in 2023 from less than 1% in 2022.

*Scope 1 covers direct emissions, scope 2 covers indirect emissions and scope 3 are emissions associated with the company but not produced by the company itself.

An inclusive team

Our commitment: Achieve a diverse and equitable employee base

Building on 7IM's commitment to fostering a diverse and equitable workforce, we are proud to report further strides in developing an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and supportive of diverse representations and diversity of thought. The Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee (previously, Diversity and Inclusion Committee), established in 2020, continues to lead with purpose, promoting initiatives that position 7IM as an example of inclusivity within the financial sector. This commitment was recognised within the industry and evidenced by our recent awards: 'Gender Contribution of the Year 2023' by Professional Adviser at the Women in Financial Advice Awards, 'Outstanding Diversity Network of the Year 2023', and 'Employer of the Year 2023' at the Women in Finance Awards. These awards reflect our commitment to creating a workplace that not only values diversity but thrives on it.

In 2021, the launch of our Gender Equality Network marked a significant step towards addressing the historical gender imbalance in the finance industry. Our goal has always been to attract and retain top female talent, enriching our business with diverse perspectives and expertise. Despite the industry's male-dominated landscape, women represent 37% of our workforce.

As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance diversity and inclusivity within our workforce, we have closely monitored and analysed our hiring trends, particularly with respect to gender diversity. The difference in hiring ratios between male and female applicants (1:29 for males vs. 1:25 for females) is indicative of our targeted efforts to promote gender diversity.

At 7IM, 76% of our colleagues have participated in providing equal opportunities monitoring information, a figure we are committed to increasing. This initiative is crucial for us to monitor progress effectively and adjust our diversity, inclusion and belonging strategies and efforts accordingly.

Giving back

Our commitment: Support charities aiming to reduce inequalities

7IM has a longstanding Charity Committee that oversees charitable contributions across the business and arranges fundraising campaigns for the charities we support. In 2023, 7IM raised more than £40,000 for charity through staff fundraising, matched funding, challenges and donations.

In addition to our “Give As You Earn” Scheme and Volunteer Day, we have also been running monthly volunteer walks that allow colleagues to volunteer their time once a month with our chosen charity.