UK - The National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) has launched a search for responsible ownership services and environmental, social and governance (ESG) data services.

Additionally, the scheme has launched a recriutment drive for members of both its employer and member panels.

The mandate, divided into two parts, asks that the provider offer advice on matters such as responsible ownership policy, as well as how such matters should be reported, while also offering suggestions on the implementation of proxy voting and engagement procedures.

The second, more technical part of the mandate asks for data on ESG matters that affect investments in the scheme's default fund.

A spokeswoman for NEST confirmed the data would be applied to the default funds and not limited to the socially responsible investment (SRI) fund it recently announced.

The mandate notes: "NEST Corporation is interested in all ESG data and does not wish to rule in or out any particular type. NEST Corporation leaves it to the potential provider to describe the data its business delivers."

The mandate further says the data provided will be used in activities outside of shareholder engagement, such as when responding to stakeholders and the media.

Expressions of interest should be made by 7 March through the scheme's eTender portal.

The defined contribution scheme has also started recruiting for its employer and member panels, both of which will serve as ways for NEST to communicate with its client base.

The employer panel would be consulted whenever changes to the Statement of INvestment Principles occur, while the member panel would be able to lobby on behalf of all those enrolled in the scheme.

Initially, each panel will consist of six members, with further representatives to be added as the scheme develops.

Applicants can apply by 28 February, via NEST Panels' own website.

NEST recently announced that BlackRock and State Street had been awarded two of the five core mandates forming the basis of its target-dated funds.

BlackRock is responsible for a sterling cash mandate, as well as a diversified beta portfolio, while State Street was awarded UK gilts and UK index-linked gilts mandates.

The final of the five initial mandates was given to UBS, which will oversee the scheme's passive global equity mandate.

Details of the scheme's asset allocation are expected to be released when the board of trustees unveil its Statement of Investment Principles in the coming weeks.

It was recently confirmed that, in addition to the default fund, as well as an SRI option and expected high-risk and low-risk investment funds, NEST would offer members a sharia-compliant investment option.

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