Vanguard, one of the largest investment managers in the world, announced today the availability of Vanguard Baillie Gifford Global Positive Impact Stock Fund, its first actively managed equity impact fund, aimed at clients looking to invest in companies that have the potential to outperform the broad market as well as deliver positive change.

Initially proposed earlier this year, the new fund was formed through a tax-free reorganization of the Baillie Gifford Positive Change Equities Fund. Launched in 2017, the Baillie Gifford fund invests in global high quality growth companies which can deliver positive social change areas including social inclusion, education, environment, resource needs, healthcare, quality of life, and addressing the needs of the world’s poorest populations.

The new fund will continue to rely on Baillie Gifford’s fundamental equity research and impact analysis, and utilize firm’s framework for identifying high-quality growth companies that are driving solutions to global issues. Baillie Gifford will also provide an annual impact report for the fund.

The launch of the new impact fund expands Vanguards ESG investment range to six offerings, including exclusionary-screened equity and fixed income ETFs and the firm’s first active ESG mutual fund, Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund.

Dan Reyes, head of Vanguard Portfolio Review Department, said:

“We’ve taken a thoughtful and intentional approach to introducing ESG funds that help investors meet their long-term financial goals while also addressing their ESG investing preferences. We believe Baillie Gifford’s expertise positions them to build a portfolio with the potential to deliver excess return and positive impact for those investors seeking both.”