Welcome to Ethical Investments
Ethical Investments promotes new investment opportunities that provide new capital to projects that have distinct social and environmental objectives.
We concentrate on 5 key areas:
We differ from conventional financial services companies in a number of ways:
| Our Investments | Conventional Investments |
|---|---|
| Employ new capital - we put money to work | Do not put capital to work - they simply speculate on movements in the price of existing shares. |
| Are not vulnerable to market volatility | Often do not reflect the underlying value of a company in its share price |
| Are simple and transparent | Are often too complex even for professional advisers to understand |
| Are normally tangible and "asset backed" | Are often based on "derivatives" or indices |
| Are Sustainable | Are often exploitative and unsustainable |
| Are usually "recession proof" | Are usually cyclical |
We are not suggesting that investors should completely abandon what has become accepted as "conventional investment".
However we do believe that far too much reliance is placed on global markets, which are increasingly susceptible to alarming volatility. In addition market speculation does very little to address the mounting problems of depleting natural resources, climate change and social inequality.
Ironically perhaps, the activities we wish to promote are generally not regulated by the Financial Services Authority and for this reason Ethical Investments is not an authorised firm. We therefore do not provide financial advice.
However we do act as a promoter of authorised funds to a network of sympathetic independent financial advisers and we are happy to provide introductions to individuals who require advice.
In addition to researching and promoting individual investment opportunities in our chosen areas, we are in the process of developing a range of collective opportunities using the Industrial Provident Society (IPS) structure.
This is a simple Co-Operative, where each member has an equal say in the running of the business. Shares cannot be sold to anyone else but can be redeemed at face value to the society. Profits are either retained as a reserve or paid out as an annual interest payment.
When an IPS is established "for the benefit of the community" there are vital concessions which mean that it is much simpler and cheaper to organise a share offer.
The Co-Ops page gives more information on this.
If you or your organisation has an idea for a sustainable business that will provide a clear benefit for the community, why not contact us?
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