Our commitment to ethical and sustainable business practice is a guiding principle in our investment practices, but it extends well beyond that into our day-to-day lives.  At both a firm and individual level we put our commitment into practice: 

Fighting corruption

We have signed on to the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, and have committed to Transparency International’s Business Principles for Countering Bribery.

Improving Russia’s investment climate

We believe that one of the keys to unlocking the value of Russian companies is to improve the investment climate.  We engage in a dialogue with a wide array of stakeholders, from foreign investors and journalists to leading Russian business owners and the Russian government. WAM seeks to facilitate a productive dialogue between the parties, and we believe we have contributed to a real dialogue on a number of key issues. (please click here for 20 Ways to improve Russia's investment climate)

Sustainable business

We seek to invest in businesses in a way that supports their sustainable development business practices.  In practice, our private equity investment in Nord Timber Group is an example of our commitment to environmental sustainability.  The company’s forest operations were improved to be in line with best Scandinavian practice and received environmental certification under FSC (www.fsc.org) as a certified sustainable forestry company.

Making a social contribution

Our giving at a firm and individual level supports a variety of organizations that we believe make valuable contributions to Russia’s long-term development.  As a firm, WAM supports the German Russian Student Exchange and the Liberal Mission Foundation (in Russian).  Individuals who work for us also contribute to Greenpeace, the Russian orthodox home orphanage in Samara,Jewish orphanages in Mozhaisk and Detskie Domiki, a charity organization which provides medical care to orphans in Russia.