Melior is an Australian equities specialist fund manager focused on generating competitive long-term returns with positive social and environmental impact. Our investment approach is based on the belief that by investing in positive impact companies with strong ESG and financial credentials, we have the potential to outperform over time.
Central to our approach is our active engagement with management teams and boards, pushing for sustainability improvements and advocating for better social and environmental outcomes.
Our origins
Melior was founded in 2018 by Lucy Steed and Tim King.
After scanning the market, they saw a gap for an Australian equities investment manager with an objective of not only achieving competitive, long-term returns, but also positive impact.
Together, they formed a team of highly experienced investment professionals who share this common goal – leveraging their unique skillset of integrating fundamental analysis and ESG and impact insights into their investment process.
Investment Beliefs
We believe that by investing in positive impact companies with strong ESG and financial credentials, we can deliver competitive returns over time.
The impact advantage
Positive impact companies are more likely to benefit from structural revenue growth tailwinds and/or generate sustainable earnings streams.
ESG matters
ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) is not efficiently priced and a comprehensive understanding of ESG characteristics is essential to assess the risks and opportunities of a company.
Fundamental analysis is critical
Investment outperformance comes from deep, fundamental research. This integrates impact and ESG analysis to identify quality stocks with strong financial attributes at the right valuation.
Active engagement creates value
Active advocacy from investors can bring forward impact and ESG improvements to deliver superior share price performance and favourable environmental and social change.
We believe it is possible to simultaneously achieve competitive investment returns and positive environmental and social outcomes.
Source: Melior Investment Management. For further information on academic and empirical studies that support our beliefs, please contact info@meliorim.com.au. We do not make any representations or warranties with respect to the returns of the Fund as such information is i) predictive in nature ii) it may be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties and iii) the returns may differ materially from results ultimately achieved. Investors should seek independent professional advice before making an investment in the Fund.
Capital markets and corporations have a central role to play in building a better, more sustainable future.
We can help build a better future by investing in companies that are aligned to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Purpose driven companies that address long-term global trends such as resource scarcity and climate change will achieve long-term outperformance.
By investing for the longer term and engaging actively with management, we can influence companies to make positive changes that help deliver sustainable returns.
We can better assess risks and opportunities by doing our own deep due diligence and in-house rigorous research.
We can identify high quality companies with strong financials using a disciplined bottom up approach.
Companies with materially poor ESG credentials have the potential for underperformance and are best avoided in order to minimise risk.
Companies that consider social and environmental impacts as well as financial risk and return have a long-term competitive advantage.
Responsible Investing
Policies and Reports
Please contact info@meliorim.com.au if you would like our detailed FY24 Impact Report or historic FY23, FY22, FY21, FY20 Impact Reports.
Memberships
Melior is a member of Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) and has been recognised as a Responsible Investment Leader.
We have been a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment since 15 July 2019.
Melior received a 5 star rating for “Investment & Stewardship Policy” and “Direct – Active Fundamental – Incorporations” modules.
Melior received a 4 star rating for “Listed Equity – Voting” module.
Our Transparency Report and Assessment Report are linked here.
UN Global Compact
We have been committed to the UN Global Compact corporate responsibility initiative and its principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption since 2021. We submitted our first Communication on Progress (as an Early Adopter) on 29 June 2022. You can read our responses here.
We are a member of the Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC)
Melior is a Supporting Partner of HESTA’s 40:40 vision.
Our Operations
Environmental Sustainability
During FY22 Melior offset its carbon footprint (excluding its investment portfolio) by purchasing Australian Carbon Credit Units generated by the Orient Regeneration Project, in partnership with the Kullilli Bulloo River Aboriginal Corporation.
Social Inclusion
Indigenous Engagement
Melior has successfully completed our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan. Reconciliation Australia has now endorsed our Innovate Reconciliation Plan. To view our Reflect RAP journey thoughtpiece click here. In July 2020 we made a submission at voice.niaa.gov.au in support of an Indigenous Voice to Australia’s governments as part of the Commonwealth Government’s co-design process.
Inclusion & Diversity
We have an Inclusion and Diversity Policy with long term gender targets for our executive leadership team.
The information on this page relating to the Melior Australian Impact Fund (ARSN 634 081 744) (Fund) is issued by the Trust Company (RE Services) Limited (ABN 45 003 278 831, AFSL No 235150) as responsible entity of, and issuer of units in, the Fund.