CFA UK, the membership body for investment professionals, is to launch a qualification in ESG.

The Certificate in ESG Investing will be the first qualification of its kind in the UK market and has been designed to meet the increased demand for ESG industry knowledge and skills. Recognised by the UN-supported PRI (Principles for Responsible Investment) the first open sitting of the exam will be available from 1 December 2019.

The Certificate in ESG Investing is a level 4 qualification that aims to sets out the fundamentals for ESG investing and equip professionals with the skills and knowledge to integrate ESG issues into their day-to-day work. The syllabus covers broad issues such as the development of ESG investing and narrower, technical issues such as portfolio construction.

A pilot exam with professionals from firms including HSBC and Vanguard is scheduled to take place in early September, at which point general registration will open.

Will Goodhart, chief executive of CFA UK noted: “CFA UK’s purpose is to make sure that investment professionals are technically and ethically competent to serve their clients well. Clients understand that ESG factors are financially material and expect their managers to help them meet their fiduciary duties by integrating ESG into analysis, valuation and investment decision-making. Our job is to help investment professionals to do so and we’re delighted to be working with the PRI to provide the sector with a formal qualification that can equip professionals with the knowledge and skills they need."

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