The Chartered Financial Analyst’s UK arm is to launch what it believes is the first Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) investing qualification of its kind in the UK.

Nearly 500 investment professionals have already signed up to take the qualification which will be available from 2 December.

Some 60 firms took part in the pilot progamme.

The professional body says the certificate has been introduced to meet “increased demand for ESG knowledge and skills in the investment sector.”

A pilot took place in September when training materials were developed. More than 160 students from 60 firms took part in the pilot, which achieved a good pass rate.

Participants in the pilot programme included asset owners, asset managers, consultants and pension providers. Many were senior professionals, with 32% already having the CFA designation and 34% holding the Investment Management Certificate (IMC).

CFA UK, which has 12,000 members, is hoping to launch the qualification in additional markets around Europe.

Will Goodhart, chief executive of CFA UK, said: “CFA UK’s new Certificate in ESG Investing was designed to augment practitioners’ technical and ethical competency, enabling them to serve their clients to the best of their ability.”

“For investment professionals, being able to demonstrate their proven ESG capability is likely to become increasingly important. CFA UK’s new qualification will allow those professionals looking to expand their portfolio of skills to integrate ESG factors into their day-to-day roles.”