UK-listed asset manager Man Group’s subsidiary MAN GLG has launched a thematic long-only fund investing in companies that address the fight against water scarcity, improve the supply and treatment of high-quality water or address the challenges of the circular economy, such as pollution control and resource management.

A statement forwarded to AMWatch does not give any examples of potential holdings, but reveals that the fund Man GLG RI Sustainable Water and Circular Economy is categorized as an Article 9 product under the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation.

This makes it Man Group’s first public market equities Article 9 fund.

The fund will be co-managed by Yohann Terry and Jann Breitenmoser, who joined Man GLG as Portfolio Managers in November and December 2021 respectively and are based Switzerland. They previously managed investment strategies at J Safra Sarasin Asset Management.

”The preservation of water and natural capital is one of the defining challenges of our time. We are proud to be launching a thematically-focused investment strategy that seeks to truly make a difference by backing companies with innovative solutions to the environmental challenges we face, at the same time as employing a rigorous investment process that delivers alpha for our clients,” says Yohann Terry, Portfolio Manager, Man GLG.

According to Teun Johnston, CEO of Man GLG, this launch responds to growing demand from investors for ESG-focused investment strategies that seek to deliver attractive returns while actively improving the environment.

”As our first Article 9 fund, this is a milestone moment for Man GLG as well as a demonstration of our commitment to responsible investment. Yohann and Jann have established track records of investing in companies which have sustainability at their core, with their expertise we feel well placed to navigate the opportunities related to water and the circular economy,” he says.

The fund is available for investors in a UCITS structure and registered for sale in Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway,. The performance will be benchmarked against the MSCI World Index.

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