Cazenove Capital: Mobilising Capital to the Sustainable Development Goals

Turning client capital into measurable real-world impact

At Cazenove Capital, mobilising capital towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is central to our investment philosophy. We believe investors can generate attractive long-term returns while contributing positively to society and the environment. Through innovative investment solutions, rigorous impact measurement and long-term client partnerships, we have built one of the leading sustainable and impact investing propositions.

What we did

Over the past seven years, Cazenove Capital has grown assets managed with explicit ethical, sustainable or impact objectives to £13.6 billion across more than 4,500 portfolios, representing growth of 325%. Since 2021, our three flagship sustainable multi-asset funds, managing £3.8 billion, have helped improve access to healthcare, education, housing and financial inclusion for more than one million people, supporting SDGs 3, 4, 10 and 11.

At the same time, investments in renewable energy, waste and water treatment have avoided carbon emissions equivalent to growing 13 million trees for ten years, contributing to SDGs 7, 12 and 13. Importantly, these outcomes have been achieved alongside strong investment performance, demonstrating that impact and financial returns can be delivered together.

We have also sought to broaden access to impact opportunities. In 2020, we acted as a cornerstone investor in the Schroder BSC Social Impact Trust, helping channel capital into private impact investments. Building on that experience, we are developing a sustainable and impact-focused Long-Term Asset Fund (LTAF), designed to provide more stable and scalable access to private markets.

How we delivered it

Our approach combines innovation, robust governance and industry collaboration. We developed ThemEx, a proprietary tool that assesses the proportion of company revenues aligned to specific SDGs, enabling us to monitor impact at both investment and portfolio level.

We align our reporting with recognised frameworks, including the Operating Principles for Impact Management (OPIM) and the Impact Management Project’s five dimensions of impact. In 2023, our impact approach and reporting were independently verified by BlueMark, providing external assurance and enhancing transparency for clients.

Client partnerships have also played a vital role. We worked with UnLtd to align its £175 million endowment with its mission of social change, directing capital towards renewable energy, healthcare and affordable housing. We also partnered with the University of Reading to develop a sustainable investment policy and channel capital towards solution-oriented investments.

Beyond portfolio management, we have taken a leading role in advancing the market. Our representatives contribute to the UK Impact Investing Commission, the CFA Impact Investing Qualification advisory panel and the Impact Investing Institute. We also launched the UK Wealth Managers on Climate Group to encourage collective action across the industry.

The results

Our sustainable and impact investment platform now manages £13.6 billion of client assets, delivering measurable progress towards numerous SDGs. Independent verification, enhanced portfolio monitoring and transparent reporting have strengthened credibility and client confidence.

In 2025, Cazenove Capital became the first wealth manager to achieve the FCA Sustainability Focus Label, demonstrating leadership in raising industry standards and helping address greenwashing concerns.

Why this matters to us

For Cazenove Capital, sustainable investing is about stewardship and long-term value creation. We believe private capital has a critical role to play in addressing global challenges and supporting a more sustainable and inclusive economy. By combining investment expertise, innovation and rigorous impact measurement, we help clients achieve their financial objectives while contributing to real-world outcomes that benefit communities, society and future generations.