Aegon Adviser Attitudes Report 2021

Advisers are changing investment propositions to meet ESG demand Many firms have taken steps to embed ESG within their advice process and investment propositions, reflecting both regulatory change and increased demand from clients. We expect legislation similar to the Sustainability Related Financial Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) launched in March this year in the EU to carry through to the UK market very soon. It's likely that advisers are anticipating an increase in both demand from clients and requirements on advice to follow close behind. 30% have revised their factfind to ask about ESG preferences, 22% have increased the number of ESG options they offer, 11% now include ESG in all recommended portfolios as standard and 3% have bought in ESG expertise. We’d expect this trend to continue as we approach the much-anticipated UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow this November. How has your firm responded to ESG demand? Tick all that apply. Revised client factfind to ask about ESG preferences Increased number of ESG options in CIP ESG included in all recommended portfolios as standard Employed ESG expertise Other N/A – No steps have been taken 30% 22% 11% 3% 5% 35% Aegon adviser attitudes report 2021 41