Every day billions of pounds are lent or invested by banks, pension funds, insurance and investment companies on your behalf. It's your pension, savings or investment, but you don't often get a say in what happens to it, unless you ask!

Economic interests are increasingly influencing and dominating the political, social and environmental agenda across the world. We believe that financial institutions need to be more aware of the social and environmental impacts of the companies that they invest in. Ethical investment is an important part of this movement to help change corporate attitudes.

The traditional aim of companies is to say that 'our role is to maximise profit for share holders'. We say that 'yes, we want to make a financial return, but not at any price'. It is possible to profit with principles, in fact many companies are proving that by becoming more responsible corporate citizens, they are actually more profitable not less. Getting it right first time really can pay dividends and that helps your savings as well.

Through your pensions and investments you own equities or shares in different businesses and these shares can give a vote to the shareholder. A 'quality' ethical fund manager will use this vote to help influence improvements in corporate behaviour.

Ethical Investment is not just about influencing big companies, although that's an important agenda. Why should you invest in businesses whose activities or behaviour you fundamentally disagree with? Ethical investment gives you the choice. We undertake an ethical profile with you to screen out unsuitable companies from your investments e.g. armaments companies.

You can also invest in the industries of the future. By changing your banking, or investing in ethical funds, you can focus money into exciting new developments in areas such as renewable energy, organic farming, healthcare and education.