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Vert Asset Management
Vert Asset Management is a sustainable equity manager integrating proprietary ESG ratings into portfolio construction for institutional clients.
Vert Asset Management
Vert Asset Management operates as an SEC-registered investment advisor focused on sustainable equity investing. The firm was founded by Samuel Adams and Rebecca White, who previously held roles at Calvert Investments and other responsible investment firms. The wealth origin is not publicly tied to a single family; the firm is structured as an independent asset manager. Vert's strategy emphasizes proprietary ESG ratings built from over 200 data points per company, covering environmental footprint, labor practices, and governance structures. The firm applies these ratings to construct concentrated portfolios of 40–60 global equities, seeking to exceed benchmark returns while maintaining a lower carbon intensity than the MSCI ACWI (per the firm's ADV, 2023). Sector emphasis includes technology, healthcare, and industrials, with avoidance of fossil fuel reserves and controversial weapons. Geographically, the portfolio tilts toward developed markets in North America, Europe, and Japan. The firm's team has grown to approximately 15 professionals as of 2023, with offices in San Francisco and London. Vert manages assets through a series of separately managed accounts and a mutual fund, the Vert Sustainable Equity Fund. In 2023, the firm expanded its client base to include U.S. public pension plans seeking climate-aligned mandates (public record). Adjacent to the investment business, the firm publishes thought leadership on ESG integration and proxy voting. Vert's structural differentiator is its integration of ESG data at the stock-selection level rather than as an overlay. Unlike many ESG funds that rely on third-party ratings, Vert builds and maintains its own proprietary research platform, enabling finer discrimination between sector peers. This internal capability, combined with active engagement with portfolio companies on ESG metrics, positions the firm closer to fundamental active management than to passive ESG strategies.
General information
Firm type
Asset Manager
Year founded
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AUM
Undisclosed
Location
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City
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Corporate office
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Frequently asked questions
Who leads investment decisions at Vert Asset Management?
Samuel Adams serves as Chief Investment Officer and is responsible for portfolio construction and ESG research. Rebecca White holds the role of Chief Operating Officer and oversees client advisory and engagement. The firm's investment committee includes senior analysts specializing in environmental and governance data (per the firm's ADV, 2023).
How does Vert source its ESG ratings?
Vert builds its own proprietary ESG scores using public filings, corporate disclosures, and third-party data providers. The research team scores each company on over 200 metrics covering environmental impact, social policies, and governance practices. This internal scoring system is designed to identify sector leaders and avoid greenwashing (per the firm's website, 2023).
Does Vert invest across all market capitalizations?
No. Vert focuses on large- and mid-cap equities globally, typically selecting 40–60 names from developed markets. The firm targets companies with market capitalizations above $5 billion at time of purchase, ensuring liquidity and analyst coverage for its proprietary research (per the firm's ADV, 2023).
What sectors does Vert explicitly avoid?
Vert has a formal exclusion policy for companies involved in thermal coal mining, oil sands, and controversial weapons. The firm also screens out any issuer with a history of severe environmental violations as flagged by regulatory bodies. These exclusions are reviewed annually (per the firm's website, 2023).
How is Vert compensated?
Vert charges an advisory fee based on assets under management, typically ranging from 0.50% to 1.00% depending on account size. The firm does not accept commissions or performance-based fees from its clients (per the firm's Form ADV, 2023).
Is Vert a single-family office?
No. Vert is an independent registered investment adviser and is not affiliated with a single family. The firm serves multiple institutional and high-net-worth clients through separately managed accounts and a mutual fund (public record).
How does Vert engage with portfolio companies on ESG matters?
Vert practices active ownership by engaging directly with company management on environmental and governance improvements. The firm files shareholder proposals on climate risk disclosure and board diversity. It also votes proxies in alignment with its ESG criteria, publishing a voting record annually (per the firm's website, 2023).
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