Socially responsible investments 'do not mean lower returns'

Ethical investments can reap the same rewards as any others, it has been suggested.

Social lender Bridges Ventures told the Third Sector website that it is not necessary to sacrifice a good financial return in order to make a positive difference.

Executive director Michele Giddens explained: ’This is intended to show that you can make money while doing good.’

She acknowledged that, in the past, Bridges Ventures has launched funds that compromise on financial return in order to achieve social benefits.

However, Ms Giddens insisted this does not always need to be the case and that socially responsible investments can be just as effective as their traditional counterparts when it comes to generating a sustainable return.

Other sector commentators have also shown support for this viewpoint.

Writing in the FT Adviser earlier this month, industry analyst Richard Marwood insisted that socially responsible investments need not lead to diminished returns for investors.ADNFCR-2318-ID-19479726-ADNFCR