Great-West Lifeco's Canadian investment management subsidiary -- GLC Asset Management Group Ltd. -- becomes a signatory to United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI)

TSX:GWO

LONDON, ON, Feb 3, 2016 /CNW/ - Great-West Lifeco today announced that its Canadian investment management subsidiary – GLC Asset Management Group Ltd. (GLC) – has become a signatory to the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI).

"We're pleased that GLC has been recognized as a signatory to the UN PRI, which is a tangible sign of our commitment to the development of a more sustainable global financial system," says Paul Mahon, Great-West Lifeco President and CEO.

Ron Hanson, Chief Investment Officer, GLC, notes that the formal adoption of environmental, social and governance considerations augments an already strong investment process across GLC.

"GLC Asset Management Group is known for its focus on providing clients with superior, long-term investment performance through disciplined processes and strong risk management, which already consider environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues within the investment decision-making process," Hanson says.

"An essential part of becoming a signatory to the UN PRI is that we remain consistent with our fiduciary responsibilities, while promoting positive change on ESG issues," Hanson says, adding that GLC has provided strong and consistent professional investment management services for socially responsible investing mandates for more than 15 years.

Great-West Lifeco subsidiaries Irish Life Investment Managers and Putnam Investments are also UN PRI signatories.

The UN PRI was established by a global, collaborative network of investors to recognize the increasing relevance of ESG issues within the investment analysis and decision making process. 

About GLC
GLC is a leading investment manager in Canada with $35.6 billion¹ in assets under management. GLC offers a broad range of investment mandates in traditional and specialty asset classes, as well as major investment styles, through four distinct investment management divisions:

• GWL Investment Management
• London Capital Management
• Laketon Investment Management
• Portico Investment Management

Each division pursues its own unique investment process and philosophy, designed to offer strong performance with disciplined risk management.

GLC is the Canadian investment management subsidiary of The Great-West Life Assurance Company. Great-West Life is a subsidiary of Great-West Lifeco Inc. 

For more information on GLC, please visit glc-amgroup.com

¹Assets under management at December 31, 2015

About the UN PRI
The UN PRI was established by a global, collaborative network of investors to recognize the increasing relevance of ESG issues within the investment analysis and decision making process.  Learn more about the UN PRI, and the Principles for Responsible Investing that GLC is committing to at http://www.unpri.org

About Great-West Lifeco
Great-West Lifeco Inc. (TSX:GWO) is an international financial services holding company with interests in life insurance, health insurance, retirement and investment services, asset management and reinsurance businesses. Great-West Lifeco has operations in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia through Great-West Life, London Life, Canada Life, Irish Life, Great-West Financial and Putnam Investments. Great-West Lifeco and its companies are members of the Power Financial Corporation group of companies.

SOURCE Great-West Lifeco Inc.

Marlene Klassen, APR, Assistant Vice-President, Communication Services, 204.946.7705