Building on its Corporate Social Responsibility work of the past decade, Aviva launches Aviva Valeurs Responsables, a new equity fund managed by Aviva Investors according to socially responsible investment criteria.
Building on its Corporate Social Responsibility work of the past decade, Aviva launches Aviva Valeurs Responsables, a new equity fund managed by Aviva Investors according to socially responsible investment criteria.
In an unstable context, which sometimes lacks strong reference points, Aviva is reasserting its commitment to sustainable development by offering customers a fund managed according to principles of socially responsible investment (SRI). Aviva Valeurs Responsables is a product for savers who want to invest in equity markets while honouring certain values.
Socially responsible investment consists of investing in companies that have strong environmental and social dimensions. Companies are assessed according to three types of criteria: social, environmental and corporate governance.
Unlike ethical exclusion funds, which base their approach on systematically ruling out sectors such as tobacco or arms, a best-in-class SRI fund makes it possible to invest in financial markets based on sustainable development values, without missing out on part of their potential. Consequently, all sectors are represented in the Aviva Valeurs Responsables portfolio, giving it solid diversification and prospects in line with those of the equity markets.
The launch of this fund is part of Aviva’s Good Advice approach and complements the existing range of funds. Aviva Valeurs Responsables is managed by Aviva Investors, which has been demonstrating its expertise in the management of socially responsible investment funds for several years. Indeed, in 2005, 2006 and 2007, it won the Thomson Extel Survey award for “Best Socially Responsible Investment Fund Manager” in Europe.
The Aviva Valeurs Responsables FCP (mutual fund) is an index fund that tracks the Dow Jones Euro Stoxx Sustainability 40 Index. The strength of the SRI approach proposed by DJ Stoxx and its experience in this area convinced Aviva of the aptness of this choice.
Jean-Pierre Menanteau, chief executive officer of Aviva France, confirms the company’s commitment to sustainable development: “Investment in this fund must take into account each party’s objectives, within the framework of our Good Advice approach, which is a central part of our policy as a responsible player”.
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Press contacts:
Aviva Vie
David Chenu
Telephone: + 33 (0) 1 7 62 6792
E-mail: david_chenu@aviva.fr
HDL Communication
Philippe Tréguer
Telephone: +33 (0)1 5865 0073
E-mail: ptreguer@hdlcom.com
Notes to editors:
About Aviva
Aviva is the world’s fifth-largest insurance group*, with 50 million customers throughout Europe, North America and the Asia Pacific region. Aviva’s principal business activities are: life insurance and long-term savings, fund management and general insurance. At 31 December 2008, Aviva had turnover of €64.3 billion, with €393 billion of assets under management. Aviva is the largest insurer in the UK and one of the main providers of life insurance and pension products in Europe.
Aviva Investors is the global asset management arm of Aviva plc, with 1,100 employees in 21 countries, and €393 billion of assets under management at 31 December 2008.
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With more than 180 years’ experience in France, Aviva is among the top ten players in the insurance market. Aviva France operates a balanced multi-distribution model based on a comprehensive range of products, mainly intended for individuals and SMEs. Some 900 general agents, 1,800 branch staff, 400 life insurance advisers, almost 900 wealth management advisers (Union Financière de France) and more than 1,000 active partner brokers are at the service of 3 million clients every day. Aviva has developed unique expertise in building effective partnerships for the benefit of its clients, particularly with AFER, the largest savings association in France, and the Crédit du Nord, Société Générale, Ford and Médéric groups. Specialising in unit-linked products, Aviva is recognised for the excellent performance of its long-term funds, the quality and innovation of its products, and solid commitment to its customers through its Good Advice approach.
Aviva France is a socially responsible company and has developed initiatives that include reducing and neutralising its CO2 emissions, supporting more than 250 projects to help children and the elderly through the Aviva Foundation, and implementing an acclaimed diversity policy. The Aviva Group directly employs more than 4,700 staff in France.
At 31 December 2008, Aviva France reported consolidated sales of €6.0 billion and an IFRS-based net profit of €130 million. The company managed assets worth €69.6 billion at 31 December 2008.
*Based on gross worldwide premiums at 31 December 2007.