Æquo and the QEMP join forces to make shareholder engagement accessible to Quebec’s emerging asset managers
Æquo, Quebec’s shareholder engagement leader, and the Quebec Emerging Managers Program (QEMP) are proud to announce a partnership that will make shareholder engagement practices accessible to the program’s emerging managers. This initiative will allow participating managers to benefit from Æquo’s expertise so that they can engage in constructive dialogues with the companies in their QEMP portfolios.
The agreement will allow QEMP managers to select securities from more than 120 companies in Æquo’s global engagement platform. Six firms have already confirmed their participation: BeeQuest, Clear Skies, Evovest, Nordis Capital, Nymbus and Tonus Capital.
“This strategic alliance with the QEMP aligns perfectly with our mission to democratize shareholder engagement and to multiply the impact of our dialogues through a pooled approach,’ said Isabelle Gagnon, Æquo’s Chief Executive Officer. “We’re delighted to collaborate with local asset managers so that they can incorporate engagement best practices from the outset of their journey.”
The QEMP is breaking ground by integrating shareholder engagement into its support ecosystem, an innovative approach among North American emerging manager programs. This initiative aligns fully with its objective of promoting Quebec’s financial entrepreneurship while offering institutional-level support.
« Cette initiative transformatrice positionne le PGEQ comme un pionnier dans la promotion de pratiques d’investissement responsable auprès des gestionnaires émergents », souligne Isabel Trépanier, Directrice, Gestion des programmes PGEQ et Investi. « En intégrant l’engagement actionnarial, nos gestionnaires bénéficieront d’un avantage compétitif aux yeux des investisseurs institutionnels qui accordent une importance croissante aux considérations ESG dans leur processus de sélection des gestionnaires. »
Shareholder engagement, which was traditionally the realm of mature institutional investors with substantial resources, offers emerging managers the opportunity to have a meaningful impact on companies’ practices. The partnership between Æquo and the QEMP will allow them to develop expertise that is increasingly sought after by institutional investors, thereby enhancing their attractiveness.
The participating managers are currently selecting the companies they wish to engage in dialogue with. Other managers are expected to join the initiative, expanding the reach and impact of this visionary and promising partnership.