Wilson Asset Management was established with a purpose of making a difference for our shareholders, the community and our team. Our advocacy work on behalf of retail investors in the Australian equity market continues to be a priority, backed by the belief that all Australian investors should be treated equitably. We are focused on giving back to the community through the Future Generation Companies, Australia’s first LICs to deliver both investment and social returns, and through philanthropic initiatives.
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Delivering investment and social returns
Wilson Asset Management is the creator and lead supporter of the Future Generation companies. Future Generation Australia (ASX: FGX) and Future Generation Global (ASX: FGG) are Australia’s first listed investment companies (LICs) to provide investment and social returns. The companies offer a unique opportunity for shareholders to invest with leading Australian and global fund managers while supporting high impact, youth-focused not-for-profit organisations. Future Generation’s pro bono fund managers waive management and performance fees, allowing the companies to give 1.0% of their net tangible assets each year to carefully selected not-for-profit organisations.
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Enriching lives in our community
Wilson Asset Management is a signatory to Pledge 1% – a global corporate philanthropy movement that commits to donating 1% of product, 1% of equity, or 1% of employee time to improve communities around the world. We do this in a number of ways, including through a program that allows our staff to spend one day each month working in the not-for-profit sector. Wilson Asset Management provides all team members with $10,000 each year to donate to charities of their choice. Donations are made by the investment manager.
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Backing retail investors every step of the way
We often engage in public debate and advocacy regarding issues that have a tangible effect on retail investors. We have argued that the dividend imputation system should not be removed or adjusted, and that retail investors should have the opportunity to access capital raisings on an equal footing with wholesale investors. Wilson Asset Management opposes the proposal to permanently remove the requirement for annual general meetings (AGMs) to be conducted in person. We stand by our belief that in-person AGMs provide retail investors with the best ability to directly and publicly ask questions of a company’s Board.
Making a difference for our shareholders and the community
Protecting franking credits
Our advocacy work on behalf of retail investors continues to be a priority, backed by the belief that all Australian investors should be treated equitably. In particular, Wilson Asset Management has worked to ensure the preservation of the Australian franking system and taken a public stance to raise awareness on the unintended consequences of altering the system. Read more about our advocacy work here.
Community support
In 2019, we raised over $1 million for Australians affected by the bushfires and drought for the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) Disaster Resilience and Recovery Fund. Wilson Asset Management's early contribution encouraged others to contribute and the fund now holds over $5 million. In February 2022, many Australians were affected by the devastating floods in New South Wales and Queensland. We donated again to the FRRR to support communities impacted by the floods, with hundreds of shareholders and supporters also generously giving funds to support those affected.
Supporting First Nations people
We are actively engaging with reputable First Nations owned organisations. Wilson Asset Management is a founding donor of the UTS Indigenous Residential College. The first of its kind in Australia, the college is a product of deep and continuing consultation with local and national communities. Wilson Asset Management is a long-time supporter of GO Foundation, an organisation that provides scholarships to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from primary through to tertiary, in public and independent schools. We also supported the production of ‘In My Blood It Runs’, the critically acclaimed documentary that reveals the challenges of 10-yr-old Dujuan, an Aboriginal boy who grew up in Alice Springs and went on to become the youngest person to address the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Advocating for women
We continue to be focused on empowering women. Wilson Asset Management remunerates all employees based on ability, and all women employees are paid full superannuation while on paid or unpaid maternity leave. We believe in the importance of gender diversity in the financial services industry, in particular funds management, which provides rewarding career paths. We regularly host Women’s Investor Events which give likeminded women a platform to network and enhance financial literacy, while our Young Investor Events aim to inspire the next generation to begin their investment journey early.
Ukrainian humanitarian crisis
We acknowledge and commend the strength and the courage of all in Ukraine and note the growing national movement in Russia against its current leader’s aggression. Wilson Asset Management supported The Ukraine Crisis Appeal and Voices of Children which we believe are having a significant impact on improving the conditions for those suffering.
Supporting Olympic athletes
We are honoured to provide continued support to Olympic athletes for the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) on a pro bono basis. The AOC provides crucial financial and institutional support to Australian athletes to compete at an Olympic level. All fees are foregone by the Investment Manager.
Supporting Do the Maths
We remain committed to education initiatives which advocate for change and progress in corporate Australia. We supported the University of New South Wales’ School of Mathematics and Statistics’ Do The Maths program, which aims to inspire girls in high school to consider tertiary studies and careers in mathematics and statistics. We believe in the importance of gender diversity in the financial services industry, in particular funds management, which provide rewarding career paths.
Supporting talented athletes
Wilson Asset Management proudly supports the Sydney Swans Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Sydney Swans. The Foundation is dedicated to supporting a pipeline of talented athletes by providing vital funding to the QBE Sydney Swans Academy. Over the past two years, the Sydney Swans Foundation have focussed on building the Sydney Swans’ new state-of-the-art training facility for Swans staff, players, and members to come together under one roof.
Certified carbon neutral
Wilson Asset Management has been certified carbon neutral since 2018. Through the carbon credit units we support Australian offset projects, our communities and the local environment.