Regnan, the newly-launched responsible investment management affiliate of J O Hambro Capital Management (JOHCM), announces the UK onshore OEIC launch of the Regnan Global Equity Impact Solutions Fund, Regnan’s first investment offer within the UK.  

The fund aims to generate long-term outperformance by investing in mission-driven companies that create value for investors by providing solutions for the growing unmet sustainability needs of society and the environment, using the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their 169 underlying targets as an investment lens. This is a high conviction, diversified, global multi-cap portfolio with a strong emphasis on driving additional impact through engagement.

Led by Tim Crockford, the four-person Regnan Equity Impact Solutions team are pioneers in impact investing in public equity markets. The team previously managed the Hermes Impact Opportunities Equity Fund, which Crockford launched in December 2017.

Alexandra Altinger, JOHCM CEO - UK, Europe & Asia, commented: “This is an important strategic initiative for Regnan and JOHCM that is already resonating strongly with our clients. It is an innovative strategy from a dynamic and passionate team with proven credentials as impact investors. The team is already benefiting from being able to draw on Regnan’s responsible investment expertise and thematic thinking.”

Tim Crockford, Head of the Regnan Equity Impact Solutions team, said: “We are excited to be part of the Regnan family and to now launch the fund. Regnan is taking impact analysis to the next level by going into real depth in understanding how the SDGs can be met, how a public equities manager can contribute to meeting them, and how each potential portfolio company fits with the goals. This is key for better investor outcomes, as for us the impact case is the investment case.”

An annual management charge of 0.75%, subject to a minimum £1,000 investment, will apply for the Fund’s 'A' share class, with GBP unhedged and hedged share classes available. Founder investors can take advantage of a seed share class featuring reduced fees and an expense ratio cap. The seed share class is subject to a minimum initial subscription of £1 million and has a £100 million limit. 

Subject to regulatory approval, an Irish-domiciled OEIC sub-fund will also be launched in coming weeks to allow European and Asian investors access to the investment strategy.

Background on Regnan

Regnan exists to drive positive impact and investment for a sustainable future and works towards this by developing and promoting more principled, rigorous and outcome-oriented approaches in responsible investment. It has a long and proud heritage in engagement and advice on environmental, social and governance issues. Regnan has produced pioneering research that has changed the way investors think about their wider responsibilities to society including advising influential organisations, such as the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI).

Regnan can trace its roots back to a collaboration with Monash University, Melbourne in 1996, with investigation into overlooked sources of risk and value for long-term shareholders in Australian public listed companies. Since then Regnan has taken its ESG expertise globally. Its diverse experience in advocacy, regulation, academia and advising investment managers has enabled Regnan to offer ESG-related advisory, engagement and research services.

2020 marked a new chapter in the Regnan story: a move into sustainable and impact investment management. Regnan now operates as a standalone responsible investment business within Pendal Group. Pendal is an Australian-listed investment manager and owner of J O Hambro Capital Management. 

Team biographies

Tim Crockford – Senior Fund Manager, Head of Regnan Equity Impact Solutions
Tim leads the Regnan Equity Impact Solutions team. He co-founded the Hermes Impact team in 2016 and managed the Hermes Impact Opportunities Equity Fund from its launch in December 2017. Tim joined Regnan in June 2020 and has 14 years’ industry experience.

Mohsin Ahmad, CFA – Fund Manager 
Mohsin is a fund manager dedicated to the strategy. He was a senior analyst on the Hermes Impact Opportunities Equity Fund, having joined Hermes in 2017. Prior to Hermes, Mohsin was an investment manager in Global Equities at Pictet Asset Management. At Pictet he worked on thematic equity funds including Water, Clean Energy and Agriculture. Mohsin joined Regnan in April 2020 and has 13 years’ industry experience.

Maxime Le Floch, CFA – Analyst
Maxime is an investment analyst dedicated to the strategy. He collaborated with Tim on the design of the Hermes Impact Opportunities Equity Fund and then worked on the investment team as an analyst. Before this, he was a responsible investment analyst at AXA Investment Managers. Maxime joined Regnan in May 2020 and has 10 years’ industry experience.

Maxine Wille, CFA – Analyst
Maxine is an investment analyst dedicated to the strategy. She was an analyst on the Hermes Impact Opportunities Equity Fund. Maxine transferred to the Hermes Impact Opportunities team in 2016, having initially joined Hermes EOS, the firm’s stewardship arm. Maxine joined Regnan in April 2020 and has 6 years’ industry experience.