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Mirova
A new thematic equity fund from Natixis affiliate Mirova will focus on companies committed to promoting gender equality and increasing women’s representation in top-level management, the group has announced.

Named the Mirova Women Leaders Equity Fund, the firm said that securities selection will be based on its own assessment tools, using qualitative and quantitative markers to assess the strength of each company’s approach in advancing gender diversity, a “social and economic priority,” the company said.

“We believe that investors -- both institutional and individual -- are looking for clear investment solutions with a proven impact, which are based on a strong economic rationale," said CEO of Mirova, Philippe Zaouati, adding, “strategies addressing diversity and gender equality fit into this category perfectly.”

In what is becoming a diluvian moment in sustainable investing, Mirova is part of a pack of asset managers applying sustainability factors across all of their investment products to meet a growing appetite for positive impact as investors take a more active stance.

The Paris-based investment manager said it would pursue obtaining the SRI label for the new fund, which is subject to audit approval, and build a portfolio around achieving the 2°C global climate trajectory set out in the Paris Climate Agreement.

The gender-driven strategy, led by asset manager Soliane Varlet, includes partnering with UN Women, in particular supporting the UN Women National Committee in France to finance projects promoting women’s empowerment. A portion of the new fund’s management fees would go towards these projects and contribute even more directly to UN Sustainable Development Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, the group said.

“This ambitious and innovative partnership with Mirova is an effective tool for achieving our common goal: improving the status of women worldwide,” vice president of UN Women National Committee, France, Pascale Bracq, said.

“The financial sector has a crucial role to play in supporting women’s empowerment and creating equal opportunities,” she added.