Beyond ESG: How wealth managers are redefining the purpose of capital

Can high-net-wealth individuals, family offices, and foundations get the support that they need from wealth managers in order to have real-world positive impact? The Investor’s Guide to Impact Wealth Management is the newest in a series of market assessments going back to 2017, in a collaborative effort with (ultra) high net wealth individuals to present the most comprehensive comparative analysis of the wealth management landscape to date. 

Across the strategically selected set of 13 wealth managers profiled—including global platforms like UBS, Cambridge Associates, and platforms linked to impact-driven families, like Cape Capital, Lombard Odier and Edmond de Rothschild—the report finds that sustainable investing is now embedded across mainstream offerings, but, even in the year 2025, important gaps persist that severely limit wealth holders and family offices aiming for real impact.  

Key takeaways 

• Measuring impact a critical challenge: Sustainability is becoming mainstream, with on average 30 % of assets of the firms in the sample invested sustainably, but only 3.3 % on average are classified as impact investments targeting measurable social or environmental outcomes. Consistent data and standards are scarce, yet tools based on SDGs and the Impact Management Project show promise. 
   
• Wealth managers differ substantially in the implementation of impact. Some have strong capabilities in important areas, but there is still no one-size-fits-all solutions for wealth holders. 
   
• Private markets are the next frontier, and access to impact investment opportunities is expanding, such as via semi-liquid structures and investments with lower entry thresholds. 
   
• Transformation starts within the industry: wealth managers deploy capital across the fund management industry on behalf of their clients and are pivotal in encouraging best practices in sustainability and elevating niche and under the radar managers targeting crucial global issues.  
   
• Wealth managers are increasingly breaking down silos between investing and philanthropy and advising clients more holistically on impact goals as well as considering catalytic investments that were challenging to offer clients due to their lower return profile. 

Towards Long-Term Alignment 

Beyond sustainable financial products, the report emphasizes the importance of governance, diversity, and internal accountability. Many participating firms now link senior-management incentives to sustainability targets or DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) performance. Regular reviews of client investment policy statements (IPS) and transparent reporting cycles are recommended to maintain alignment as client goals evolve. 

Ultimately, impact wealth management is described as a journey, not a product. The guide concludes with practical steps for investors: clarify principles, build a shortlist of aligned managers, engage actively in mandate design, and establish long-term review mechanisms.  

A Collaborative Effort 

The report was co-authored by Andrew Douglas (CSP), Claudia Coppenolle (The ImPact), and Dr. Falko Paetzold, founder of the Center for Sustainable Finance and Private Wealth (CSP) globally, and the Competence Center for Sustainable Finance and Private Wealth at the University of St.Gallen (CCSP-HSG).  

Launch and presentation of the study 

The presentation and discussion of the new Investor’s Guide to Impact Wealth Management will take place on 25 November 2025 in Zurich. Interested parties are cordially invited to attend in person or online. The report is available for download at cspglobal.org.