Introduction to Stewardship

In 2018, Larry Fink, chairman of Blackrock wrote a letter to all the CEOs of companies Blackrock invests in stating that “society is demanding that companies, both public and private, serve a social purpose. To prosper over time, every company must not only deliver financial performance but also show how it makes a positive contribution to society.” This is where stewardship comes in. Given the magnitude of the societal challenges that we are facing, together with the scale of investment needed to action solutions, stakeholders have raised the bar on how all aspects of our outcomes and behaviours need to change. Investors are exercising their influence, actioning stewardship and championing their expectations with respect to corporate behaviours.