Melior Investment Management (Melior) is a Sydney based Australian impact investment manager that is committed to driving positive change. We do this by investing in companies that are having a positive impact and influencing companies to do better. Through our Australian Impact Fund, we offer investors the opportunity to use their financial power to help bring about change.
Connecting head and heart
Melior was founded in 2018 by Lucy Steed and Tim King with backing from investment management group Adamantem. After scanning the market, they saw a gap for an Australian equities impact investment manager. They have formed a team of experienced investment professionals who share a common goal – to be part of the change they want to see in the world. With their skills and experience in investment management they seek to leverage the power of capital and corporations to bring about change. The Melior Australian Impact Fund realises their vision of taking impact investing mainstream.
Investment Philosophy
At Melior Investment Management, we believe that:
The market underestimates the long-term competitive advantage of positive impact companies.
The impact universe offers a broad set of growth and value opportunities that can deliver performance through different cycles.
The market inefficiently prices operational ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) risks and opportunities.
The increasing prominence of intangible assets compounds the valuation effect of impact and ESG events.
Investing with a valuation discipline in high-quality companies can deliver outperformance.
Company management and boards that are actively driving forward impact and ESG improvements can deliver superior share price performance and play an important role in environmental and social change.
Note: For further information on academic and empirical studies that support our beliefs, please contact info@meliorim.com.au
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.
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.
Values
Make a difference – We work with purpose to drive meaningful change
Embrace the opportunity – Our analytical approach gives us the conviction to take calculated risks
Be curious – We explore with an open mind and challenge the status quo
Support each other – We enjoy working in close partnerships, welcome diversity and treat others with respect
Enjoy what you do – We are serious about our work, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously
Responsible Investing
Policies and Reports
Please contact info@meliorim.com.au if you would like our detailed FY23 Impact Report or historic 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 proud supporter of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures.
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
Modern Slavery
We have voluntarily reported under the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) since FY20, to play our part in helping to reduce risks to people, improve the integrity and quality of global supply chains and strengthen our approach to responsible investing.
You can read our latest Modern Slavery Statement here
Indigenous Engagement
Melior, as part of Adamantem, 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.
Melior is a proud supporter of Social Ventures Australia (SVA) – a not-for-profit organisation that works with partners to alleviate disadvantage in Australia.
SVA’s CEO, Suzie Riddell, sits on our Advisory Council to provide strategic insights on ESG (environmental, social and governance) challenges and opportunities
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.