ETHOS' GOVERNANCE
Ethos, Swiss Foundation for Sustainable Development, is composed of 247 Swiss pension funds and public utility foundations. Ethos was founded in 1997 and aims at promoting socially responsible investment (SRI) as well as a stable and prosperous socio-economic environment that safeguards the interests of civil society today and in the future. The Ethos Foundation is a foundation under Swiss law. The highest governing body of the Ethos Foundation is the foundation board. The members’ general meeting issues recommendations to the foundation board, in particular regarding the charter and the articles of association.
To achieve its objectives, Ethos created the company Ethos Services. This company is specialised in the field of socially responsible investment (SRI) and mainly focuses on institutional investors. Ethos Services is owned by the Ethos Foundation and 16 of its members. The general meeting elects the board of directors. The board of directors appoints the members of the executive board. Ethos Services employs over 30 persons and has offices in Geneva and Zurich.

Ethos’ philosophy
Independence. Both the Ethos Foundation and the company Ethos Services are exclusively financed by investors.
Professionalism. Ethos has more than 25 years of experience in socially responsible investment and active shareownership and can count on a team of well-qualified and experienced analysts. Dialogue with issuers is conducted throughout the year and provides an in-depth knowledge of Swiss companies.
Transparency. The annual report and accounts of the Ethos Foundation and Ethos Services are publicly available. Ethos also publishes its voting guidelines and voting recommendations (48 hours prior to the shareholder meetings) on its website.
