Ethos, Swiss Foundation for Sustainable
Development,
was created in February 1997 by
two Geneva-based pension funds and is currently
composed of
143
institutional investors. Its
purpose is to promote
the consideration of
sustainable development principles and corporate
governance best practice in investment
activities, in accordance with the principles
defined in its Charter.
a stable and prosperous socio-economic environment
that serves the society as a whole and that preserves
the interests of future generations.
The Foundation owns the company
Ethos Services
which conducts all investment and
consulting activities. Ethos Services is
specialised in the field of socially responsible
investment (SRI). Ethos Services advises investment
funds and discretionary asset management mandates
according to a SRI approach
for an equivalent of CHF
1.8
billion.
The Ethos Foundation is signatory of the
Principles for Responsible Investment of the United Nations
(UNPRI) and the Charter
of the Swiss Association of Pension Funds (ASIP).
Ethos also adheres to the UK
Stewardship Code. In 2009, Ethos received the
award of the International
Corporate Governance Network (ICGN).
The Ethos Foundation is a foundation under Swiss
law. Its activities are determined by the
Charter, while the
Articles of Association and By-laws specify the
Foundation's purpose and organisation. The terms of application
outline the benefits and
conditions of membership at the Ethos
Foundation. The Foundation is organised as follows:
The
members' General Meeting issues
recommendations to the Foundation Board, in
particular regarding the Charter and the
Articles of Association.
The governing body of the Ethos Foundation
is the
Foundation Board. It oversees the
implementation of the Foundation's
objectives and has the competence to approve
the
Charter,
Articles of Association.
The Foundation's Executive Management
executes all activities of the
Foundation.
The company Ethos Services is fully owned by the
Ethos Foundation. Ethos Services' Articles of
Association specify the Company's purpose and
organisation.
Ethos Services is organised as follows:
Ethos Services' Board of Directors is composed of
members elected for renewable one-year
terms.
Ethos Services' Executive Management is
responsible for organising and managing the
Company's activities. Ethos Services currently employs
15
persons all of whom signed the Charter
of the Swiss Association of Pension Funds (ASIP) and the Principles of Ethical
Conduct of the Association of Certified
International Investment Analysts.
Specialising in socially responsible investment,
Ethos Services offers a range of investment funds and
asset management mandates managed according to
sustainable development principles. In addition to
this, Ethos Services provides analysis of general ting
agendas, assistance with exercising shareholder voting
rights and creating a dialogue program with companies.
