Billion-Dollar Businesses Sign Up to Change Investment for the Better

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Global professional services company Towers Watson TW announced that its not-for-profit Thinking Ahead Institute has attracted over 30 members, with combined assets under management of over $11 trillion, since it launched late last year.

"Despite how our industry is perceived and the slow pace of change, there are many institutions that believe the investment industry should better serve the needs of the end saver and wider society, not just those of its employees and shareholders," said Tim Hodgson, head of the Thinking Ahead Group, Towers Watson. "We are delighted that a number of those companies have joined forces with us to accelerate positive change through collaboration, collective efforts and the exchange of ideas, and based on high levels of interest, we expect more to follow. By acting together, with trillions of dollars of assets under management or advisement, we will become a prominent force for improving the value proposition for savers globally."

The Thinking Ahead Institute, jointly supported by Towers Watson and subscribing members, operates as a global forum, and uses research and discussion collectively to improve the investment industry for the benefit of the end saver. It aims to achieve this objective through research, discussion and private, one-on-one meetings with members.

The Thinking Ahead Institute's membership is composed of asset owners and managers from around the world, including Aegon Asset Management, Affiliated Managers Group Inc., AMP Capital, AXA Investment Managers, Amundi Asset Management, BNP Paribas Investment Partners, Commonwealth Bank Group Super, Coronation Fund Managers, Dimensional Fund Advisors, First State Investments/Colonial First State Global Asset Management, Future Fund, Global Thematic Partners LLC, Janus Capital Group, Lansdowne Partners, QIC, QSuper, Railpen Investments, Schroders, T. Rowe Price International and Wellington Management.

Editor's Notes

Towers Watson's Thinking Ahead Institute is a global not-for-profit group whose aim is to influence change in the investment world for the better by improving the provision of savings. The Institute is open to asset owners, investment managers and other groups that are motivated to influence the industry for the good of savers worldwide. The Thinking Ahead Institute is an outgrowth of the company's Thinking Ahead Group and can be followed on:

Twitter: @InstituteTAG
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thinkingaheadinstitute
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/thinking-ahead-institute

Towers Watson Investment

Towers Watson's Investment business is focused on creating financial value for institutional investors through its expertise in risk assessment, strategic asset allocation, fiduciary management and investment manager selection. It has over 800 associates worldwide, assets under advisory of over US$2.2 trillion and over US$75 billion of assets under management.

About Towers Watson

Towers Watson TW is a leading global professional services company that helps organizations improve performance through effective people, risk and financial management. With 15,000 associates around the world, the company offers consulting, technology and solutions in the areas of benefits, talent management, rewards, and risk and capital management. Learn more at towerswatson.com.