Gore to invest in issues close to his heart
By Sundeep Tucker in London
Published: November 8 2004 02:00 | Last updated: November 8 2004 02:00
Al Gore, the former US vice-president, is to put his expertise in global sustainability issues into practice with the launch today of a fund management firm.
Mr Gore has teamed up with David Blood, former chief executive of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, to set up Generation Investment Management, a London-based boutique that will invest in global equities.
The six founder partners have contributed a total of "double-digit" millions of dollars to kickstart Generation, which plans to begin attracting funds in the new year.
The firm aims to deliver higher investment returns by integrating traditional equity analysis with sustainability research, a fledgling area that combines the principles of economic growth, environmental stewardship and social accountability.
Mr Gore championed sustainability issues during his eight years as vice-president to Bill Clinton. The author of Earth in the Balance, he chaired the president's council for business and sustainable development and helped secure agreement on the Kyoto protocol, the convention on climate change.
As Generation chairman, he expects to devote about a day and a half a week at the firm. Since leaving government he has lectured on financial services and technology issues, is on the board of Apple Computer and is a senior adviser to Google.
He told the FT: "Transparency, eco-efficiency, nurturing employees and managing long-term risks are among the integral parts of a company's enduring capability to create value. You can't properly value automobile stocks without considering long-term issues such as carbon intensity."
Generation has headquarters near London's Piccadilly, with an office in Washington DC.
One founder partner is Mark Ferguson, a former co-head of European research at Goldman Sachs Asset Management and son of Sir Alex, the Manchester United Football Club manager. FTfm, Separate section
|
