The assumption of social responsibility is firmly anchored in our DNA and is one of Quoniam’s core corporate values. The focus is on society, the environment, diversity and inclusion, good corporate governance and sustainable investment.
Ecological footprint
Corporate mobility management
We motivate our employees to use public transport by providing them with a Job Ticket. We also offer our employees the opportunity to carry out a significant part of their work remotely. Work from home not only leads to greater flexibility, but also relieves traffic and thus the environment.
Sustainable business travel
When it comes to business travel, we are guided by the principles of sustainable mobility. We combine several business transactions into one business trip wherever possible or by holding digital meetings instead of business trips. We prefer to use environmentally friendly means of transport and try to avoid air travel.
Sustainable office buildings
The Westhafen Tower, where our Frankfurt office is located, uses energy-efficient technologies. The building has been certified Gold by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for its environmentally friendly design.
The building that houses our London office was also designed to be energy efficient and consume a minimum of resources. According to BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology), it achieves a sustainability score of ‘excellent’ at 72.6%.
Governance and corporate governance
Quoniam has adopted the rules of conduct of the Bundesverband Investment und Asset Management e.V. (BVI). They include rules on personal securities trading, the acceptance of gifts and entertainment, money laundering, compliance with laws, regulations and corporate guidelines as well as payments and benefits. All employees are required to accept these guidelines. In addition, Quoniam has its own conflict-of-interest policy.
Sustainable investing
We build portfolios that balance alpha with investors‘ sustainability goals. The PRI is the most important international standard by which we align our approach. We also support the Climate Action 100+ and TCFD initiatives.
We believe that responsible investing must be backed by robust data analysis and genuine insights, cutting through the noise to drive meaningful client outcomes. We have set ourselves goals for sustainability and our guidelines for sustainable investing are based on them.
Diversity and inclusion
We promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We view diversity as an indispensable source of innovation and progress.
By acknowledging diversity, we recognise and embrace differences in what sets us apart. This includes gender and gender identity, age and generations, cultural and social background, ethnic origin and nationality, ways of thinking, sexual orientation, religious affiliation and disability.
Harnessing the power of diversity
Diversity alone is not enough. Inclusion is key to harnessing the power of diversity and the collective intelligence of teams. To build an inclusive workplace, we strive to continuously improve our processes and practices. Our aim is to create the conditions in which everyone can be their authentic selves and reach their full potential – regardless of their background, identity or circumstances.
share of women – 18% in the area of investment professionals
nationalities are represented
average age at Quoniam
D&I vision: Our commitments and ambitions
Leadership and self-leadership
- Everyone in the organisation, regardless of their position, acknowledge and take ownership for the positive contribution and impact they can make in the area of D&I, whereas leaders play a particular role.
Strategy and processes
- The D&I program is embedded in the overall business strategy, aligned with our purpose and goals.
- D&I is an integral part of our organisational culture and values.
Inclusive environment
- All employees feel fully included and can be their authentic selves.
- Everyone understands the positive contribution they can make in creating an inclusive environment and what behaviours contribute to this.
- Our physical and virtual working environment enables a diverse and inclusive culture.
Learning journey
- Employees at all levels are trained in D&I.
- We regularly integrate D&I principles, mechanisms and enablers in workshops and offsites.
- We continuously evaluate and learn by engaging with employees.
Measurement and metrics
- Our D&I metrics and tools as the Employee Engagement Survey support the measurement of progress and outcomes versus our defined goals.
- By reporting and measuring progress on D&I KPIs and initiatives we are able to monitor and steer on our D&I ambitions.
- We share data and progress with the supervisory board, management and all staff.
Partnerships and external position
- We continuously learn from others and new research to keep up-to-date.
- We adopt and adapt ideas where appropriate, as well as share our learnings externally.
Joining forces for a world worth living in
Quoniam is involved in sustainable initiatives, academic collaborations and key industry associations to make a positive contribution to society.
SI Initiatives
In the spirit of sustainable investing, we are committed to the Principles of Responsible Investment (PRI). We are signatories to the United Nations PRI initiative, the Global Investor Statement on Climate Change 2014 and the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative. As part of this, Quoniam has committed to regularly disclosing the carbon footprint of the entire portfolio.
Quoniam has been a supporter of Climate Action 100+ since March 2020. This investor initiative is influencing the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters to take the necessary measures against climate change.
The Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI) assesses the readiness of companies to transition to a low-carbon economy. The global, investor-led initiative also lays the methodological and quantitative foundation for ClimateAction 100+.
In 2021, we joined the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC), the membership body for investor collaboration on climate change. The IIGCC is the joint voice of investors taking action for a sustainable future. The initiative’s mission is to mobilise capital for the low-carbon transition and to ensure resilience to the impacts of a changing climate by collaborating with fellow investors, business and policy makers.
Quoniam officially joined the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative in 2021. By joining, we commit that our portfolios will be carbon neutral by 2050 or earlier.
CEO statement by Nigel Cresswell, CFA on the initiative:
´Combatting the climate crisis will require changes from all of us, as individuals, single firms, and as an industry. As a quantitative asset manager, we have a responsibility to solve the investment challenges that matter, not only for our stakeholders, but also for the planet. Quoniam is committed to support the transition to a low-carbon economy, and we are proud to join our peers to pursue the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative – for a better tomorrow.´
Corporate Social Responsibility
Deutsche Börse’s initiative aims to maintain a sustainable infrastructure in the Frankfurt financial centre. Quoniam supports the efforts associated with this.
Quoniam has been a signatory of the Charta der Vielfalt e. V. since March 2020. The aim of the initiative is to advance the recognition, appreciation and inclusion of diversity in the working world and to create a working environment free of prejudice.
Quoniam is a founding member of the Diversity Project Europe (DPE). DPE is a cross-border and cross-industry initiative working towards a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive European asset management industry. As a founding member, Quoniam aims to drive positive change and advance financial industry standards to promote equal opportunities and reduce systemic bias.
Academic Cooperation
Since 2017, there has been a research cooperation between the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management and Quoniam. The aim is to promote the interlinking of practice and scientific research in asset management. Once a year, Quoniam awards a prize to the best presentation of the results of the student research teams of the Chair of Asset Management.
For many years, Quoniam has been a supporting member of the Centre for Financial Research (CFR) at the University of Cologne, which conducts independent, applied research in the field of financial markets.
Industry associations
Quoniam is a member of the BVI (Bundesverband Investment und Asset Management e. V.), the association for the German investment industry.
The Investment Association represents investment managers in the UK. We are a member because of our London office.
Quoniam supports the Transparency Code of the English Local Government Pension Schemes (LGPS). To this end, we provide the LGPS with defined data in order to make the costs of a portfolio even more transparent.