Ethical investment

The University has a Responsible Investment Procedure that sets out how it will invest any monies it has in stock and shares, as well as cash holdings in banks. 

Responsible investment and banking

The Responsible Investment Procedure aligns with the University’s sustainability ambitions, with any investments aligning with the following goals: 

Environmental
  • The quality of environmental management, policies and reporting. 
  • Efficient use of natural resources. 
  • Pollution, waste and deforestation. 
  • Resilience to climate change in line with the Paris Climate Accord. 
  • Impact on the global environment, its climate and biodiversity. 
  • Focus on recycling and impact of single-use plastics. 
  • Commitment to a transition to sustainable energy production and utilisation, and / or a clear commitment to renewable energy transition and research. 
Social 
  • Approach to equal opportunities, training, health and safety, working conditions (including slavery and child labour), employee and board diversity, gender pay, senior executive remuneration and employee welfare. 
  • The effect of the manufacture and sale of products, services and materials on society and on public health and safety. 
  • Involvement and impact on local communities both in the UK and overseas. 
  • The extent and nature of charitable donations. 
  • The significance of any complaints regarding advertising or other public messages. 
Governance 
  • Policies towards human rights, the nature of any operations in the third world, impact on indigenous communities and observance of labour standards. 
  • Consideration of fraud, bribery and corruption risks. 
  • Marketing techniques, supply chain management and the quality of internal controls. 
  • Tax strategies and specifically the use of any aggressive tax avoidance schemes. 
  • Transparency. 
  • Compliance with the highest standards of corporate governance.

This procedure applies to all investments the University holds, is signed off by the Vice-President, Global and the Partnerships and Reputation Committee and is delivered by the Chief Financial Officer, last being revised May 2022 and will be reviewed over the coming 12 months. 

Transparency around university investments

Management of the University of Surrey’s investments is undertaken by the Chief Financial Officer and the finance office team, with the primary overview undertaken by the University’s Finance Committee, which is a sub- committee of University Council, the governing body for the University: 

Finance Committee members

The Finance Committee is made up of:

RoleMember
Treasurer (Chair)(position subject to periodic rotation and appointment by the Council)
President & Vice-ChancellorProfessor Stephen Jarvis
Chair of CouncilCharlie Geffen
Provost & Senior Vice-PresidentProfessor Emma Flynn
Chief Operating OfficerWill Davies

The Committee also includes three appointed individuals drawn from the University Council and up to 2 independent members selected for specialized financial or operational expertise.

Staff, student and stakeholder access to financial investment decisions

The Responsible Investment Procedure notes in section 4.7: 

‘Staff, students and other stakeholders may address any questions, suggestions or concerns regarding this procedure to the Chief Financial Officer at any time. Students may, additionally, channel any comments through the President of the Students’ Union, who is a member of the University Council.’ 

This is where staff, students and stakeholders can ask questions regarding investments. 

Related sustainable development goals