ACT Signatory Journey: ‘This is a long-term movement, not a passing trend’
A conversation with Alex Matcham, head of UK wholesale distribution at M&G, who shares the firm’s ongoing learning as a result of being an ACT Signatory and Partner, and its place in the industry evolution.
Photo credit: City Hive
Alex Matcham for M&G
City Hive’s ACT Framework is helping investment firms understand their corporate culture and commit to transparency for investors who are increasingly requesting this information for their fund due diligence. We spoke with Alex Matcham, head of UK wholesale distribution at M&G, about the firm’s journey as a Signatory and what it means for their business.
M&G was one of the founding signatories of the ACT Framework in 2022. What was the motivation behind signing up?
Alex Matcham: A key driver was recognising the changing nature of our industry and society. One of my colleagues at the time, Jasmine Miller, identified ACT as a unique partnership that went beyond traditional networks. What resonated with us was its ability to quantify corporate culture, something often overlooked despite being a fundamental part of our people-focused industry. We believe good culture translates to better client outcomes, particularly in mitigating risk. The level of industry support behind ACT also signalled that this was a long-term movement, not a passing trend.
What was the initial reporting process like? Were there any challenges?
AM: The process did come with challenges, particularly in making certain internal data more publicly available. Every company has sensitivities about sharing information externally. That said, the exercise surfaced a wealth of existing processes, timetables, and targets we had in place, which was a positive outcome. It helped us refine how we communicate our cultural initiatives both internally and externally.
ACT is an ongoing commitment rather than a one-time exercise. How does M&G continue to engage with the Framework?