EQ Investors, a provider of sustainable investment management services, is currently evaluating the possibility of a sale with the assistance of a corporate finance adviser.

The firm’s chair, John Spiers, has cited the transformative impact of AI and the drawbacks of charity ownership as primary reasons for this strategic consideration, reported FT Adviser.

John Spiers, who had previously intended to bequeath his shares to the EQ Foundation upon his death, now recognises “significant drawbacks” to this plan.

He expressed concerns that a charity’s focus on maximising immediate income could impede the long-term growth of EQ Investors.

“A charity may struggle to add value to the enterprise or provide additional capital if needed,” he explained.

The emergence of AI, compared by Spiers to the arrival of desktop computers in the early 1980s, is a significant factor affecting the potential sale.

EQ Investors has made it clear that any transaction will be contingent on the preservation of the company’s core values and the enhancement of client service.

“EQI is a successful and profitable business, so we are under no pressure to conclude a transaction,” Spiers reassured.

The process of exploring a sale is active, with Spiers confirming that “several promising possibilities” are being considered.

He concluded with a commitment to the welfare of EQ Investors’ staff and clients, stating: “Ultimately, any decision to partner with a larger organisation will only be made if it benefits our staff and clients.”

In 2021, EQ Investors partnered with Fintegrate to broaden the accessibility of its Positive Impact and Future Leaders portfolios for more advisers.