Responsible Investment

The Property Income Trust for Charities (PITCH) has practised a responsible approach to investment since Fund inception in 2004. This reflects Swiss Life Asset Managers UK’s longstanding track record of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) integration as well as the requirements of the underlying investor base, consisting of a diverse group of charities.

Swiss Life Asset Managers UK, as managers of the Property Income Trust for Charities (PITCH), adheres to an ethical investment policy in the management and investment of the Fund, but with a particular focus on the underlying charitable purpose of its investor base. Many charities have their own ethical policies measured alongside their mission or charitable objectives, however a pooled Fund such as PITCH is unable to adhere to each charity’s specific interests. As a result, it is important for the ethical policy to provide a clear and transparent set of ethical guidelines that are built into the investment process and within the management of the property portfolio and its underlying tenants. Our Ethical Policy has been in place since Fund inception in 2004, and is available upon request from our Charities and Endowments Team.
Contact us

We believe in delivering social impact in the places in which we invest. That’s why we are focussing our UK Social Value Strategy on uplifting the communities around our assets, delivering tailored impacts that respond to the needs of local communities. Read more about our social strategy here.

As a responsible investor, Swiss Life Asset Managers UK ensures it adheres to high standards of conduct in the management of PITCH. We cannot expect or encourage our tenants to operate ethically and with probity unless we do so ourselves.       

Swiss Life Asset Managers UK is an FCA regulated business and an approved Alternative investment Fund Manager (AIFM). As signatories to UN PRI, a member of the Association of Real Estate Funds we adhere to their principles and believe that a good understanding of regulation and policy requirements demonstrates responsible risk management. 

The Investment Risk Committee (IRC) meets weekly but additional ad hoc meetings are called when required and the scope of business for the IRC is as follows: 

• Approve all acquisitions, disposals and other significant transactions (e.g. lettings, surrenders, capital expenditure) within certain value thresholds.  
• Ensure all transactional activity accords with pre-agreed strategy and risk parameters, has a strong thematic justification and accounts for ESG.  
• Review and approve the Investment Plan for each mandate six monthly.  
• Monitor progress against ESG objectives.  
• Review and approve the Investment Strategy annually.

The Investors’ Committee has been established to represent the Unitholders and is primarily drawn from representatives of the investors. It holds quarterly meetings with the Manager and the Trustee.     

• One third of the members of the committee offer themselves up for re-election at the Fund’s Annual General Meeting. 
• The identity of the committee members and their contact details can be found on our Meet the Team page.
• Minutes from the committee meetings are available on request.