The National Employment Savings Trust (Nest) has renewed a contract with a proxy voting firm to continue its commitment to responsible stewardship.

Manifest, which has been awarded the contract, provides turnkey shareholder voting administration services and sustainability governance analysis. Nest director of investment development and delivery Paul Todd said the team at Manifest are “critical” in helping the scheme with its aim of being an active owner of its shares.

“Auto enrolment is creating millions of new shareholders. Through our workplace pensions we all now have a stake in the future of global companies. That means we have an interest in how profitable and sustainable those companies are over the long term,” he said.

He added that close working relationships with fund managers and understanding how companies are managing environmental, social and governance risks is a fundamental part of the overall investment picture.

Manifest CEO Sarah Wilson added: “We are deeply honoured to be continuing this long term partnership with Nest; it is an exciting time to be working with pension funds like Nest on sustainable stewardship and we look forward to supporting Nest’s journey as a responsible owner.”

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