What to Include in Your Ethical Investment Policy: A Practical Guide for Charities
Introduction: Ethics Need More Than Good Intentions For many charities and churches, ethical investment is a moral imperative. But good intentions aren’t enough. To turn values into action, you need a clear and comprehensive Ethical Investment Policy. This guide walks charity trustees and finance teams through what to include in an ethical investment policy that is: […]
Biblical Foundations for Ethical Investment
Introduction: Investing as Discipleship For Christians, investment is not a morally neutral act. Where we place our money—like where we place our time, energy, and trust—reflects what we believe. For churches and Christian charities, investment should serve not just financial goals, but the mission of God. In this blog, we explore the biblical foundations for ethical investment, […]
Navigating Charity Commission Expectations on Investment: A Guide for Trustees
Introduction: Investing with Confidence and Compliance As a charity trustee, you are responsible for ensuring that your organisation’s investments are made prudently, legally, and in line with your mission. But with evolving ethical standards, reputational risks, and growing public scrutiny, it’s no longer enough to simply seek the best financial return. The Charity Commission’s guidance increasingly expects charities […]
Why Churches Choose Faith-Aligned Investment Solutions
Introduction: Investing as an Expression of Faith For churches and Christian charities, investing is never just about money. It is an act of stewardship, rooted in faith and shaped by mission. Whether you are a large denominational trust, a local congregation, or a national Christian charity, your capital should reflect the values you proclaim. At Epworth […]
Understanding Mensuram Bonam: A Catholic Approach to Ethical Investment
Investing with a Catholic Conscience For Catholic charities, dioceses, and religious orders, investment decisions are not simply financial—they are moral acts. Every pound invested should reflect the teachings of the Church and the dignity of the human person. In 2022, the Vatican published Mensuram Bonam (“Good Measure”), a landmark guide offering a theological and practical framework for faith-consistent investing. […]
What Does ‘Ethical Investment’ Actually Mean?
Cutting Through the Jargon In today’s investment landscape, phrases like “ethical,” “responsible,” and “sustainable” are everywhere. But what does ethical investment actually mean—especially for trustees of churches, charities, and religious organisations? At Epworth Investment Management, we define ethical investment not as a marketing label, but as a principled commitment to align capital with values. For us—and for our clients—it’s […]
Epworth Invests in Gold: “The Gold, the bad and the ugly”
Epworth has long avoided investing in gold due to its ethical challenges, including environmental damage from mining, high carbon emissions, and exploitative labor practices. Despite these concerns, gold remains a strong portfolio diversifier, particularly during financial and geopolitical instability, due to its low correlation with other assets.
Following extensive research, Epworth has approved an investment in gold reserves held by the UK’s Royal Mint (RM), which prioritizes sustainability. RM recycles gold waste from coin production, significantly reducing its carbon footprint, and has committed to net-zero targets. Epworth’s fund manager, Matthew Jones, visited RM to assess its practices firsthand, including its efforts to align suppliers with sustainable sourcing policies. Moving forward, Epworth will continue engaging with RM to push for broader improvements in the precious metals industry
GLP-1 Drugs: A Double-Edged Sword in the Fight Against Obesity
Epworth’s latest research in the pharmaceutical sector explores the rise of GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, as a promising tool for weight management. These medications offer significant health benefits, including reduced obesity-related illnesses and improved well-being, aligning with our ethical investment focus on ‘Health & Wellbeing.’
However, concerns remain. High costs limit accessibility for lower-income communities, and the growing demand has led to shortages for diabetes patients. Additionally, the societal implications – ranging from dependency on medication to shifts in body image perceptions – warrant careful consideration.
Children: The Forgotten Constituency in Investment Stewardship
Despite growing focus on ESG issues like climate change and human rights, children remain largely ignored in investment stewardship. They lack financial agency and lobbying power, yet businesses significantly impact them—whether through exploitative marketing in sectors like food, alcohol, and technology or through child labor in global supply chains. Epworth Investment Management, continuing its ethical investment approach, will explore these issues in a 2025 article series, building on its parent organization’s 2009 advocacy for children’s rights in investment policies.
Marking the 35th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Epworth aims to push for stronger investor engagement on child-related concerns. The upcoming IPO of Shein, facing allegations of child labor, underscores the urgency of addressing children’s rights in investment decisions. Future articles will examine how global frameworks like the UN Convention and Sustainable Development Goals can guide responsible investment practices.
Safeguarding Children: Investor Tools for Empowering Engagement
Children are often overlooked in responsible investment strategies, despite being a key audience for many businesses. This article explores how investors can incorporate children’s welfare into their engagement efforts by using established frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and key industry benchmarks.
From tackling malnutrition and improving education access to ensuring digital safety and ethical supply chains, these tools help investors drive meaningful change. As part of a wider series, this piece sets the stage for deeper discussions on how businesses impact children’s lives—and what investors can do about it.