Melior Investment Management has seen funds under management increase four-fold in the past year as investors flock to their listed equities impact offering.
The Australian equities fund returned 33.1%, well ahead of its benchmark, the ASX 300.
“We believe purpose driven companies with strong ESG and financial credentials can achieve competitive sustainable returns. These companies benefit from mega-trend structural tailwinds such as addressing climate change, are able to attract and retain talent and are more resilient to downside ESG and financial risks,” Founder and CIO, Tim King, said.
The firm’s financial performance was complemented by the release of their annual impact report that showed they carried out over 200 engagement meetings with 54 companies.
On the back of this success the firm has also announced that Grok Ventures, the family office of Atlassian founder Mike Cannon-Brookes, has taken a minority stake in the firm.
While Cannon-Brookes and Grok have been investors in the impact fund for over a year, this partnership is an endorsement for the Melior approach to impact in public markets.
“We are delighted to have Grok as a cornerstone investor and equity holder in Melior. Mike, Annie and the Grok team share our view that public companies play a critical role in building a better, more sustainable future given their scale. Raising ESG ambition in corporate Australia is vital to solving the problems we face, including helping Australia achieve its commitments to the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030,” Lucy Steed says, CEO of Melior.
Mike Cannon-Brookes is an outspoken supporter of stronger action on climate change, and for Australian business to lead the way on innovation. He explains that he recognises the power Melior has to influence Australian businesses to do better.
“We all have a responsibility to do better. Investors need to consider their impact on the world, which is something Melior is tapping into. It’s this kind of epic leadership that drives real change across business,”