INDUSTRY STANDARD
THE 5 PRINCIPLES OF MINDFUL INVESTING
We have created benchmarks that reflect the cultural changes that the investment community should work towards to effect lasting change that impacts people and profitability.
Recognising that meaningful change can take time, the standard will naturally evolve and will be awarded to those who meet the required standard at the time.
This industry standard and associated kitemark will help investors identify themselves against the 5 key principles of mindful investing: communication, health, equality, connections and knowledge (CHECK).
MEET THE STANDARD
To meet the minimum standard in the first year, companies will need to:
• Participate in the independent assessment
• Have a minimum of one mental health first-aider per 50 employees (2-day course from MHFA England)
• Share their SME funding data, split by gender, to be reported quarterly on an aggregated basis. (Recommendation of the Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship – March 2019)
Investors that meet the required standard each year will retain a Mindful Investor Kitemark, demonstrating their commitment to their employees and the teams they invest in.
SIMON BLAKE OBE
Chief Executive, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England
“More and more leaders in the commercial world are waking up to the fact that positive mental health, diverse workforces and business success go hand in hand. And the investor community should be no exception.
“Rapid change and transition in any environment can create challenges which impact our mental health – both positively and negatively. For entrepreneurs and start-ups this is their day-to-day, so it is really encouraging to see initiatives like Mindful Investor setting out standards for investment practices that put people and profit on an equal footing.
“Implementing Mental Health First Aid England training into a best-practice approach will ensure that people working in this sector are never more than one conversation away from a listening ear or a guiding hand to help them access mental health support.”
GURPREET MANKU
Deputy Director General, British Private Equity
& Venture Capital Association (BVCA)
“The investment community plays a crucial role in the UK economy and investors can use their influence to drive positive change.
Everyone involved in the UK’s funding ecosystem – investors, entrepreneurs and service providers – stands to benefit from a more inclusive culture.
“The BVCA is pleased to support Mindful Investor, it provides a framework and best practice for diversity, inclusion and support that we actively promote to our members.’
Become a mindful investor here