The detailed diversity data, collated from over 1,500 investment strategies, has also been broken down by asset class. The findings show equity and credit displaying a gender diversity premium of 46bps and 14bps per annum respectively.

In future years, WTW writes that it will provide additional insights into diversity data through the WTW Diversity Index, which will allow an investment strategy to measure and compare its diversity to peers today, as well as its optimal diversity level. This will enable WTW to monitor the diversity premium at an even more granular level over time, the firm says.

Additional data collated this year from over 400 asset management firms on DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) shows that only 42 per cent of asset managers responding currently have any measurable objectives in their DEI policy, while nearly half (49 per cent) have no targeted initiatives to attract more senior diverse talent.

While the industry has largely focussed on gender and ethnicity to date, two of the largest underrepresented groups in absolute terms, WTW is also encouraging all firms to expand data collection across other inherent and acquired traits of diversity such as disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic diversity and neurodiversity.

The results of WTW’s research furthermore found no meaningful relationship between organisational size and greater diversity across ownership or senior leadership, indicating that while there may be a perception that larger firms are able to appoint specialist resources and implement more DEI policies and initiatives, this does not always translate into increased overall diversity.

Chris Redmond, Head of Manager Research at WTW, says: “There has undoubtedly been progress made on diversity by many asset managers in recent years, but the fact is that the pace of change at an industry level is still slow and disappointing.  We are hopeful that the truly extraordinary investment performance benefits linked to superior diversity can serve as a catalyst for acceleration. That is why we believe it is crucial to analyse the data on an ongoing basis to track where we are as an industry and to stimulate conversations. However, it is also important that we look beyond pure numbers to form a robust qualitative view on DEI and culture to really understand how each asset manager is progressing and how quickly it will take to reach their targets.”

Paula Robinson, Director, US Equity Manager Research at WTW, says: “We have integrated DEI across our research and portfolio management processes, compelling  us to engage with asset managers to improve and share best practice.  We have also built out a comprehensive DEI reporting toolkit for asset owners to set out, and set off, on their own DEI journey. The long term success of DEI requires asset managers, investment consultants and asset owners to collectively commit to change.”

Government and regulators were deemed less influential despite having publicly stated ambitious commitments to meeting net zero targets by 2030 and 2050.

The value of sustainable assets is reinforced by the research findings, with 90 per cent of UK real estate professionals reporting that asset values have increased by 16 per cent–25 per cent as a result of green premia, the firm says.

The impact of poor ESG performance is also marked with half of respondents experiencing asset values which are 16 per cent–20 per cent lower in buildings with poor carbon footprints, and 42 per cent seeing values which are 21–30 per cent lower. Some 54 per cent are experiencing rental yields which are 21–25 per cent lower because of brown discounting, as occupiers increasingly favour greener buildings. 

Commenting on the research findings, Katie Whipp, Head of UK, Deepki, says: “Our research shows that fund managers are at the forefront of the drive to improve commercial real estate’s ESG credentials.  They have seen the capital and rental values of green assets increase by 16–25 per cent because occupiers are prepared to pay a premium for buildings which are energy efficient and provide an environment which supports the health and well-being of employees.

“We expect ESG regulation to tighten up in the UK during 2023 which will make greenwashing much harder and will support the drive for real change across the sector.”

Deepki writes that it offers a fully populated ESG data intelligence platform to help commercial real estate investors, owners and managers improve the ESG performance of their real estate assets, and in the process enhance their value.

The firm says that the SaaS platform enables clients to collect ESG data, get a comprehensive overview of their portfolio’s ESG performance, establish investment plans to reach net zero, and assess results. It also allows users to report to key stakeholders. The platform is supported by carbon and ESG experts who partner with clients across data collection and analysis, through to ESG strategy definition and implementation.

The Luxembourg Funds Service covers more than 50,000 share class funds from over 400+ fund management companies, providing comprehensive reference and corporate actions data. The firm writes that ‘users can rest assured that EDI covers all share classes in their portfolio’.

Tony McCormack, Head of Global Investment FundsTony McCormack, Head of Global Investment Funds at EDI says: “The launch of the Luxembourg Funds Data Service is a continuation of EDI’s strategy to cover all tradeable assets in the market. Luxembourg is the largest fund market in Europe and second only to the US globally. Along with the recent launches of the UK and Ireland, and the expansion of our translation services, EDI now covers 90 per cent of all funds in Europe.

McCormack adds: “So, if you have a pan-European portfolio, contact us, and we will provide comprehensive coverage of the funds you hold.”

Announcing the launch Rodolphe de Hemptinne, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Third Bridge, says: “Maps is a revolutionary way for professional investors to ‘see’ investment research and we are proud to launch a world first.  Maps enables analysts to be far more effective and undertake days’ worth of early-stage research in minutes. The feedback from clients has been outstanding with credit, PE and equity investors all praising how Maps provides a crucial first picture of how the market is structured for new investments and a powerful tool for digging deeper into potential investment targets.”

Third Bridge currently has almost 10k Maps featuring more than 100k+ companies and this coverage is growing rapidly.  Each value chain map illustrates an entity’s key structure, suppliers, customers, and competitors, the company writes, adding that this allows investors to prioritise their research focus and navigate through Third Bridge’s integrated content platform.  

Maps are created by Third Bridge analysts who conduct in-depth profiling sessions with senior executives possessing first-hand knowledge of an industry.  Prior to the launch of Maps, access to value chain information was typically fragmented, unqualified and outdated, the firm says. 

Discussing today’s investment research market Joshua Maxey, Co-Founder, says:  “We think visualisation and integration are the next big moments for investment research.  Today’s market conditions mean investors don’t just have to outsmart their competitors, they need to outpace them too.  Our Forum product, which was launched in 2012, effectively defined a new ‘transcripts’ category.  We think Maps will become another must-have tool because it creates such an advantage through accelerated workflow.”

Maps is part of Third Bridge’s integrated research platform, which the firm explains also incorporates Connections, an expert network service, and Forum, the world’s largest archive of in-depth interview transcripts.  Maps will also enable industry experts to better capture, structure and monetise their expertise, the firm says.