Foresters approach to sustainability
How we are creating a better future together.
Financial solutions with a larger purpose
Sustainability is about fulfilling people’s economic, social well-being and environmental needs now, without compromising future generations. This goes hand-in-hand with our purpose of enriching the well-being of families and communities. We’re here to protect what is important to you, while creating a better future, together.
At Foresters, you, your family and your community are at the heart of our sustainability efforts, and it’s been that way for nearly 150 years. Moving forward into the future, we’re continually looking at how we can measure our success and help you do more good for the people and places that matter most.
“We're helping you, our customers, and your families achieve your financial goals while enriching the well-being of the people and communities you care about across the UK. Our commitment is to create a better future together by helping you live well with benefits like Foresters Go or giving back through grants and charity partnerships.”
Nici Audhlam-Gardiner, UK CEO of Foresters FinancialOur sustainability approach and the future
From our products to our culture, our sustainability efforts are a part of everything we do at Foresters. We care about how our products and what we do in our own business add to a more sustainable future. At Foresters, concepts of sustainability, environmental consciousness and social responsibility are not just a trend. These concepts define us.
That’s why we support the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – a call to action for governments, businesses and societies to address today’s most pressing sustainable development issues. While each of these goals matters, we focus on three in particular. The first is goal three, good health and well-being; the second is goal 11, sustainable cities and communities; and the third is goal 13, climate action.
Our sustainability impact
A look at how we are creating a better future together.
At Foresters
We start with the actions we can take at Foresters. We are improving the environmental and social impact of our day-to-day business operations and ensuring good governance.
Our members, employees and advisers
We are helping our members enhance their well-being, our employees belong, learn and thrive, including our Financial Advisers, who are there to support all our customers. We want to help you, our members, employees and advisers do more of the good you want to do.
Families and communities
So together, we can enrich the well-being of families and communities.
Society
Each of these steps works towards supporting a more equitable world where people can live in dignity.Exploring our sustainability approach
Find out more about each area.
At Foresters
Our day-to-day business
A big part of our sustainability approach is to ensure we take the right steps in our day-to-day business, on the UN climate action goal and other sustainability issues.
Through our solar panels, our green roof, renewable electricity, energy efficiency and our hybrid and electric cars for our advisers, we're taking great strides in improving our daily operations.
Responsible investments
When it comes to investments, we include environment, social and governance (ESG) factors in our overall decision-making to better understand risk-adjusted returns. We recognise climate change as a significant human, business and financial risk.
We partner with investment managers who share our approach and incorporate ESG into their investment processes. Through these partnerships, we’re working to evolve our investments in line with industry best practices in the ESG field. Find out more about our sustainable investing approach.
81%
of the cars driven by our Financial Advisers are hybrid or electric cars1
Our members, employees and advisers
Members
Foresters is not your ordinary financial services company. In addition to investment and protection products, you get access to unique benefits that help support the well-being of you and your loved ones every day.
Financial security
Thanks to our tailored investment and protection products, over 2.8 million clients and members like you across the UK, Canada, and the US have more peace of mind for their families’ financial futures.In 2021:
More than
10,000
financial benefits used
Close to
2,000
educational benefits used
Close to
5,000
living well benefits2 used
Member well-being
As a member, you also get a wide range of unique and complimentary benefits2 to help you live your best life and give back to your community. It’s just one of the many ways we share our financial success with our members.
Financial benefits
- MemberDeals – Discounts you can use to save money, live well and have fun.
- LawAssure – Create a customised will, power of attorney and healthcare directive online.
Education benefits
- Lifelong Learning – Access an easy-to-use online learning library with fun courses about wellness, technology and more.
- Competitive Scholarship – Member families can apply for scholarships to help with post-secondary education costs.
Living well benefits
- Foresters Go – More than your average wellness app. Earn rewards for living healthy and giving back to your community.
- Community Volunteer grants – you can access up to £2,000 to host hands-on volunteer activities.
- Foresters Care grants – A £200 grant that can help you give back to your community, which can be applied for twice a year.
Employees
We’re committed to encouraging a work environment where our employees can belong, learn and thrive, enabling them to do their best work.
Easily accessible programmes
Promoting employee health and well-being is another way we can address the UN goal of good health and well-being. Foresters employees are supported through access to a variety of information enabling their personal and professional development, including mental health, mindfulness and exercise. We provide information to employees on a monthly basis. Employees also have access to financial advisers and provide tools to help employees plan for their financial security now and in the future.
Through our Employee Engagement, Inclusion, Diversity & Equity (IDE) and other surveys, we continuously gather employee feedback on how we’re doing and what we can do better.
Inclusion, diversity and equity
Our Inclusion, Diversity and Equity objectives are rooted in our five guiding principles: equity, belonging, empathy, a focus on areas we can change and accountability through actionable goals and transparent processes.
We established an Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (IDE) Council comprised of executives and employees and hired an AVP of Inclusion, Diversity & Equity to increase our commitment to upholding a more inclusive workplace.
Lastly, we’re proud to announce that we have launched three Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) which include Pride at Foresters, Foresters Multicultural and Foresters Women’s ERGs. These groups are growing daily and have representation from both North America and the United Kingdom.
Making a difference
Our people are passionate about making a difference. Foresters sustainability committee includes employees from across the business who are dedicated to helping communities and the environment. Employees are encouraged to support their communities with one paid day per year through our Day of Caring Programme.
1,450
employees globally1
60%
of workforce are women1
Financial Advisers
Our Financial Advisers are there to support all our members and customers. Whatever your situation, our Financial Advisers are on hand to take you through your options and help determine what type of savings or protection plan is best for you.
What's more, we have many advisers who are Foresters members and use the community grants to give back to their local neighbourhoods.
Families and communities
We want to help you do more of the good you want to do. Members decide on what they want to do, which is a great way to bring sustainability efforts to your communities and the families that are a part of them. These programmes are one of the leading ways we are working towards the UN goal of sustainable cities and communities.
Whether it’s through sustainability partnerships, community garden projects or giving back to charities and people in need with our grants, you get more opportunities to make a difference in your family’s lives and in your community through Foresters.
13,000
trees planted in 2022 throughout Canada, the US and the UK
11
community partnerships
Creating stronger families and communities
You can choose how you want to help the place that means the most to you. Impact your community and bring people together with easy-to-use grants and inspiring volunteer activities.
Sustainability partnerships
Community gardens
Community grants
Social connections
Society
The actions we take at Foresters with our members, employees, advisers and communities are helping to support an equitable world where people live in dignity. By linking our approach with the UN Sustainable Development Goals of good health and well-being, sustainable cities and communities and climate action, we’re contributing to the global effort to protect the overall well-being of current and future generations.
Have any questions about sustainability at Foresters?
Foresters Financial and Foresters are trade names and trademarks of The Independent Order of Foresters (a fraternal benefit society, 789 Don Mills Rd, Toronto, ON, Canada M3C 1T9) and its subsidiaries. Registered Office: Foresters Financial, Foresters House, 2 Cromwell Avenue, Bromley BR2 9BF. Registered in England number FC2825. Branch No. BR723. For more information, please email myforesters.com. CM441.
1As of 31 December 2022.
2 Description of member benefits that you may receive assumes you are a Foresters member. Members must be 18 years of age or older and must have an active Foresters Plan and maintain it in good standing. Foresters member benefits are non-contractual, subject to benefit specific Eligibility requirements. Definitions and limitations and may be changed or cancelled without notice.