“We are not interested in tick boxers. Instead we seek purposeful companies that make this world a better place” – Founder and CIO Melwin Mehta
We look beyond ESG presentations. We are aware of a growing trend of “greenwashing” because it looks “good.” We dislike tick boxers. We always have. For us, ESG considerations are a basic operating system for any business that wants to survive, let alone thrive in the times ahead. Some managements may see it as a necessary evil (green washing) while those that are blessed with a long-term mindset will ably capitalize on the emerging opportunities taking their companies to the next level.
Our companies may be asset rich or growing, serving a niche. Some of our companies are leaders and have an advantage over the competition while others are challengers, going after an industry leader or even expanding the addressable market. Each company is analysed differently because each company is unique in its own way.
We access our network of analysts, industry specialists, and investors to cross-check and learn. We invest across sectors and mention a few below.
We are a signatory to the internationally-recognized Principles for Responsible Investment and are fully committed to action them in our investment decisions.
We also recognize that applying these Principles may better align investors with the broader objectives of the society. Therefore, where consistent with our fiduciary responsibilities, we commit to the following:
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Principle 1 : We will incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes.
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Principle 2: We will be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices
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Principle 3: We will seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest.
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Principle 4: We will promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry.
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Principle 5: We will work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles.
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Principle 6: We will each report on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles.
“We Invest In Purposeful Companies That Make This World A Better Place” – Melwin Mehta
We look beyond ESG presentations. We are aware of a growing trend of “greenwashing” because it looks “good.” We dislike tick boxers. We always have. For us, ESG considerations are a basic operating system for any business that wants to survive, let alone thrive in the times ahead. Some managements may see it as a necessary evil (green washing) while those that are blessed with a long-term mindset will ably capitalize on the emerging opportunities taking their companies to the next level.
Our companies may be asset rich or growing, serving a niche. Some of our companies are leaders and have an advantage over the competition while others are challengers, going after an industry leader or even expanding the addressable market. Each company is analysed differently because each company is unique in its own way.
We access our network of analysts, industry specialists, and investors to cross-check and learn. We invest across sectors and mention a few below.
We are a signatory to the internationally-recognized Principles for Responsible Investment and are fully committed to action them in our investment decisions.
We also recognize that applying these Principles may better align investors with the broader objectives of the society. Therefore, where consistent with our fiduciary responsibilities, we commit to the following:
-
Principle 1 : We will incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes.
-
Principle 2: We will be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices
-
Principle 3: We will seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest.
-
Principle 4: We will promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry.
-
Principle 5: We will work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles.
-
Principle 6: We will each report on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles.
We Invest Across The Sector
HeiQ is improving the lives of billions of people by adding functionalities to all kinds of textile materials.
HeiQ is a Swiss-based company providing world-class technology that adds functionality to textiles, offering benefits such as improved cooling or warming, water repellence, odour prevention, air purification, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal protection. With the size of the global textile chemical market estimated at $25bn, HeiQ has a large addressable market, with plenty of growth potential. Across its various technologies, HeiQ now serves over 300 household brands, including IKEA, M&S, Burberry, and even Cornelia James, supplier of gloves to Her Majesty the Queen.
HeiQ’s Viroblock technology, introduced in 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been a game-changer for the company. The product is an antiviral and antibacterial agent suitable for a wide range of textiles and its use in a variety of medical wear products, including protective face masks and surgical gowns, has dramatically raised the profile of the company and opened up a whole host of new customer acquisition opportunities.
Treatt is a trusted ingredients manufacturer and solutions provider to the global flavour, fragrance and consumer goods markets.
We have held shares in Treatt in our portfolio for over 10 years. The company has developed a strong position in the niche flavourings and fragrancies market, with its technical expertise (built up over more than 130 years) being highly prized by a multinational customer base.
The company has a particular expertise in beverage products and several of the company’s current offerings support the desire of many people to live healthier lives. For example, Treatt’s products can improve the taste of lower sugar alternative products and replace artificial flavourings with natural alternatives. Indeed, around 74% of Treatt’s current products are based on natural extracts.
The company also scores well on sustainability, using a by-product of the citrus industry that would otherwise go to waste to manufacture its citrus extract products, which account for around half of its annual revenues.
Open Orphan Group has become the go to provider of viral challenge studies and laboratory services to global pharmaceutical companies keen to develop vaccines against COVID-19.
Open Orphan is a clinical research organisation with two core businesses divisions – hVIVO and Venn Life Sciences. Based in London, hVIVO is a world leader in human challenge study clinical trials that can be used to validate the efficacy of vaccines and other antiviral products. Operating from offices in Paris and the Netherlands, Venn Life Sciences provides drug development consultancy services to large pharmaceutical organisations.
hVIVO’s expertise in challenge studies has come into its own in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and, in October 2020, it secured a contract with the UK Government for the development of a human challenge study model for COVID-19. The business operates three quarantine clinics that can be used to support these COVID-19 challenge studies and is one of the very few businesses in the world capable of offering such capacity. The output from these studies will play a vital role in the development of effective vaccines against COVID-19.
hVIVO’s heritage in the development of challenge studies (it has successfully developed eight so far – the largest portfolio in the world), is likely to lead to an adjacent opportunity via its Disease in Motion® digital platform. Using the knowledge of virus progression that the company has built up over the years, this technology aims to provide a data enabled solution for wearable products that can be used to monitor the health of the wearer. This product has already attracted strong interest from large consumer electronics, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, so it may well become part of a comprehensive personal health monitoring solution in the coming years.
The UK Stewardship Code (“The Code”) was first published in July 2010, revised in September 2012 and January 2020.
It promotes effective stewardship in the UK setting out good practices for institutional investors and asset managers. Stewardship activities include monitoring assets and service providers, engaging issuers and holding them to account on material issues, and publicly reporting on the outcomes of these activities.
spherefunding Investment Management Limited fully supports and follows the objectives of the Code, although considers that it is not necessary for the Firm to be a signatory at this time. This decision is kept under review and should circumstances necessitate we will update our website to announce a change.
Disclaimer
The companies mentioned above are not a recommendation.
The companies listed above represent a sample of our holdings and we encourage you to visit the relevant company websites for the latest and most precise information. Their mention here is for illustrative purposes only, to demonstrate our diverse range of investments. Any mention of any company should not be taken as a recommendation or otherwise.
Over the last fifty-plus years of the Fund’s existence, we have invested in many companies across several industries. The companies mentioned above reflect our investments as of 23 April 2021 and are subject to change, anytime and without any announcement or notice, due to corporate activity or general portfolio operation.
