James Michael Thorne

Threadneedle Asset Management Ltd. (Threadneedle AM) is the wholly-owned global asset management subsidiary of TC Financing Ltd., ultimately held by Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AMP) in the US. Headquartered in London, the firm was founded in 1994 and manages assets for a range of clients which includes pension schemes, insurance companies, private investors and corporations. Threadneedle AM is a socially responsible investor which believes they have a responsibility to, and will benefit from, exercising environmental and social stewardship throughout their firm.

Baring Asset Management Ltd. (Barings UK) is the Great Britain-based subsidiary of Barings Europe Ltd., ultimately held by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. in the US. Barings traces its origins to 1762 when it was founded in London as a firm of merchants and merchant bankers. They were an asset management pioneer in the UK and set up an Investment Department in 1955. In 1989, all of Barings' asset management activities were consolidated within Baring Asset Management. Headquartered in London, the firm manages assets on behalf of pension funds, pooled vehicles, governments, charities and high-net worth individuals. Barings UK offers a wide range of equity and fixed-income mutual funds in both domestic and international markets. They are a socially responsible investor which takes environmental and socially responsible investment issues into account and seek guidance from clients.