Knowledge and Insight

In this annual Engagement review, we provide a snapshot of our activities in 2022 and outline our focus areas as we continue our work in 2023.

While the UK's headline inflation rate fell in May, core inflation rose. There were significant milestones for renewables and the Science Based Targets Network launched a new initiative to help companies build biodiversity and nature into their business strategies.

We are delighted that Greenbank investment manager Rosie Sparrowhawk has been named as one of this year’s Citywire Wealth Manager 30 Under 30, celebrating “the best young talent in today’s industry.”

We are delighted that Sophie Lawrence, stewardship and engagement lead at Rathbone Greenbank Investments has been named as one of the 2023 PAM NextGen Leaders.

April provided some relief for investors following last month’s banking crisis volatility. Saudi Arabia and other OPEC nations announced a surprise decision to cut oil production by 3.7%, and G7 leaders in Japan made new commitments to renewable energy.

Rathbone Greenbank's 26th Annual Investor Day focused on the theme of technological solutions that will help drive the transition towards net zero.

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) sent shockwaves through the global financial sector, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) called for at least a sixfold increase by 2030 for finance provided to projects that reduce emissions.

Persistently high inflation data in February continued to cause concern about central bank rate hikes, while extreme weather and disruption to supply chains led to UK food shortages and highlighted the challenges regarding global food security.

Greenbank’s stewardship and engagement lead, Sophie Lawrence, hosted a live lunchtime webinar which looked in detail at the issue of children's health and asked the question: How can we build a healthier food environment for children?

The beginning of the year brought a glimmer of hope with strong equity markets, falling energy prices and easing inflation. Global growth forecasts improved as China re-opened, and the World Economic Forum identified climate change as the most pressing risk to global growth in the next decade.

The last 12 months delivered many shocks to the markets, but positive news emerged towards the end of the year with COP27 and COP15 summits reiterating the urgent need to halt the climate crisis and to protect and enhance natural habitats for a more sustainable future.

After a few days of reflection following a historic agreement being reached at COP15 to reverse nature loss this decade, our stewardship and engagement lead, Sophie Lawrence shares her five key takeaways from the global biodiversity conference.