Press Releases

Watson Wyatt releases Sustainable Investment research report

UK, May 15, 2007 - Jane Goodland has joined Watson Wyatt’s expanding Investment Consulting business in its global manager research team. Jane, who has over ten years professional experience in consultancy and investment management, joins from HSBC Group Investment Businesses. Prior to joining HSBC, she worked as a senior member of the sustainable and responsible investment team at Henderson Global Investors for five years. Jane joined Watson Wyatt in April, is based in London and reports to Craig Baker, the global head of manager research.

Paul Trickett, European Head of Investment Consulting at Watson Wyatt, said: “Jane is another great hire for us and brings with her valuable experience, particularly in the environmental, social and governance (ESG) areas. We are delighted she has joined us and look forward to working with her.”

Today the firm released a report entitled Sustainable Investment which investigates the need for the incorporation of ESG factors in assessing the value and future profitability of a company, alongside its financial statements. It also incorporates views on socially responsible investing and ethical investing.

Paul Trickett said: “Pension funds need more confidence that broader considerations such as ESG issues are consistent with their requirement to act in the best financial interests of members. Our analysis of research in this regard provides evidence to support this view.”

The report is part of a broad, global research initiative into sustainability in institutional investment which incorporates the impact ESG issues will have on long-term investment. As part of this research initiative, Watson Wyatt recently published Macro Factors which identifies, Environment, Demographics and Energy, as big future influences on the performance and risk of individual companies and global equity markets. This initiative includes a project called ‘effectiveness as owners’ which started in 2004 to ascertain attitudes towards voting, engagement and activism and involving fund managers with global assets under management of around £5.5 trillion.

For further information please contact:

Paul Deane-Williams
Senior Investment Consultant
Watson Wyatt Limited
+44 (0)1737 274397
paul.deane-williams@watsonwyatt.com

Gay Collins
Penrose Financial
+44 (0)207 786 4882
gayc@penrose.co.uk

About Watson Wyatt Investment Consulting

Watson Wyatt Investment Consulting, a division of Watson Wyatt, is focused on creating financial value for institutional investors through independent, best-in-class investment advice. We are specialist investment professionals who provide co-ordinated investment strategy advice based on expertise in risk assessment, strategic asset allocation, and investment manager selection. Watson Wyatt Investment Consulting provides investment advice to some of the world’s largest pension funds and institutional investors, and has more than 380 associates in Europe, the Americas and Asia.

In the US investment advisory and investment consulting services are provided by Watson Wyatt Investment Consulting, Inc., which is a subsidiary of Watson Wyatt Worldwide Inc. Watson Wyatt Investment Consulting, Inc., is a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Watson Wyatt (NYSE: WW) is a leading global human capital and financial management consulting firm. The firm specialises in employee benefits, investment consulting, human capital strategies, technology solutions, and insurance and financial services and has 6,000 associates in 30 countries. The firm is located on the Web at www.watsonwyatt.com.