MoneyAM Fund Centre

Quick Stats

Fund Objective

The Fund aims to provide income with the prospect of some investment growth over the long term (5 years or more), through investment in bonds that are deemed to be supporting and funding socially beneficial activities and development, primarily in the UK. The Fund is actively managed, and seeks to maximise its investment exposure to socially beneficial activities and development, based on assessments produced under the Fund’s Social Assessment Methodology (developed by Big Issue Invest and Columbia Threadneedle Investments). The Social Assessment Methodology ensures that social impact considerations are integrated into the investment decision-making process. Investment is directed towards eight social outcome areas: housing and property; community services; education, learning and skills; employment and training; financial inclusion; health and social care; transport and communications infrastructure, utilities and the environment. Eligible Investments are assessed to establish an overall view of the investment’s “social intensity”. Some debt securities will have more direct and tangible social benefits than others, however those selected for investment are considered to have net positive impacts. A Social Advisory Committee regularly reviews the Social Assessment Methodology and the assessments carried out and may propose amendments or updates over time. An annual report is made available to investors which provides a summary of the Fund’s social impact performance. The Fund may invest in bonds (usually investment grade) issued by international, public, private or voluntary and/or charitable sector organisations. Cash or near cash will be retained within the Fund for efficient management, and similarly deposits and money market instruments may be held for this reason.

Fund Managers

Simon Bond

Simon Bond joined the company in 2003 and has been the portfolio manager of the Threadneedle UK Social Bond Fund since its launch in 2013, as well as the Threadneedle (Lux) European Social Bond Fund launched in 2017. Having previously managed a number of institutional and retail investment grade corporate bond portfolios, Simon now concentrates his focus on managing Columbia Threadneedle’s social bond portfolios and developing other responsible investment strategies across the firm.Simon has 33 years’ experience in the fund management industry, with the last 28 years specialising in corporate credit. Throughout his career, Simon has taken a keen interest in the social investment space and as an analyst the first entity Simon reported on was Peabody Trust and the first sector he covered was housing associations. Simon is particularly passionate about the role of infrastructure in both regeneration and economic growth.Prior to joining the firm, Simon managed £6 billion in his role as the Senior UK Credit Fund Manager for AXA. Simon also worked for GE Insurance as a Portfolio Manager, Provident Mutual as a Fixed Income Analyst and Hambros Bank as an Investment Accountant and Pension Fund Investment Administrator.Simon is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment, holds the Investment Management Certificate and the General Registered Representatives Certificate.