Trustees – Go Green Or Go Home

Millennials have a more sustainable mindset than previous generations. They are twice as likely to invest in companies targeting social or environmental goals. Ethical issues are a fundamental concern for investors in this day and age and it is important for trustees to consider these values in their decision-making if they want to commit to their corporate responsibilities and appeal to clients.

The Trusts (Jersey) Law 1984 (the "Law") sets out trustees' duties in respect of trust funds, namely, to preserve and enhance trust assets. Moreover, pursuant to common law, trustees must conduct their affairs 'as an ordinary prudent man of business would'. This demonstrates how important the financial profitability of any investments is for trustee and, therefore, trustees may wonder how they can combine their duties with ethical and moral concerns?