Freedom of Information

What We Spend & How We Spend It

Strategy and Management of Finance

Our Finance Office provides accounting, procurement and contracting services, helping to make best use of the University's resources and fulfilling its statutory responsibilities.

Information that may damage the University’s commercial interests will be excluded from publication.

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University Investments

In line with the University’s Socially Responsible Investment Policy, details of the University’s endowment investment portfolio are published annually. This is to allow scrutiny by the University community.

As part of the University's Socially Responsible Investment Policy (PDF: 83KB), we publish details of the University’s endowment investment portfolio. It details individual stock holdings. This happens annually in February.

In addition, a quarterly sectoral breakdown of investment data is published. The individual stock holdings is subject to a 6 month delay due to commercial sensitivities. However, information on the sector breakdown is published quarterly. The University’ Socially Responsible Investment Policy details our approach to investment. We take a holistic view of Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) criteria across its endowment funds. This is in line with our Environmental Sustainability Policy and objectives. Substantial progress in improving the ESG qualities of the University’s portfolio has been made. Measures to embed this further, are ongoing. 

The University’s Climate Action Plan contains information on the carbon emissions associated with the University’s investments. It also includes details of actions underway to reduce these.

In November 2021, Newcastle University became one of the founding signatories of the COP26 Asset Owner Climate Expectations Declaration. The University engages with its fund managers to progress the aims of the expectations in order to drive change in the sector.

Details of the funds that the University’s endowments are invested in as of January 2023 are as follows:

Janus Henderson Investors Global Sustainable Equity Fund

The Fund aims to provide capital growth over the long term (5 years or more). It invests in companies whose products and services are considered as contributing to positive environmental or social change.

The Fund is managed with reference to the MSCI World Index. This is broadly representative of the companies in which it may invest. It can provide a useful comparator for assessing the Fund's performance.  The IA Global sector average, which is based on a peer group of broadly similar funds, may also provide a useful comparator.

Schroder International Selection Fund Sustainable Global Growth and Income I Accumulation GBP

The fund aims to provide an annual yield in excess of the MSCI All Country World (Net TR) Index and capital growth. It invests in equities of companies worldwide which meet the investment manager's sustainability criteria.

The Fund has environmental and/or social characteristics (within the meaning of Article 8 SFDR) and maintains a higher overall sustainability score.

Liontrust Asset Management SF Global Growth Fund

The Fund aims to deliver capital growth, as well as some level of income, over the long term (5 years or more). It uses the Sustainable Future investment process to invest in companies globally. This process uses a thematic approach to identify the key structural growth trends that will shape the global economy of the future. The fund managers then seek to invest in well run companies whose products and operations capitalise on these transformative changes. All investments will be expected to conform to Liontrust ESG criteria.

Royal London Asset Management Ethical Bond Fund

The Fund’s investment objective is to achieve a total return over the medium term. This should be a period of 3-5 years, by investing predominantly in sterling-denominated corporate bonds, which meet predetermined ethical criteria.

Aviva REaLM Multi Sector Unit Trust

‌The University invests in a multi-sector Alternative Investment Fund. The sectors are:

  • commercial assets (16%)
  • social housing (6%)
  • ground rent (39%)
  • infrastructure income (39%)

The infrastructure sector focuses on renewable energy.

Investment Portfolio

Quarterly Sector Analysis

Expenses

Find out information about expenses.

‌The details of the total sums claimed in expenses by the members of Executive Board (EB) are available to download as pdf documents below. The information is extracted from the University’s electronic expenses system. For each claim made by individuals the total expenses by category is given along with the total expenses claimed over the period. Some of the claims are for multiple journeys and this is highlighted on the pdf documents.

It is important to note that some of the travel expenses claimed by the members of Executive Board may be externally funded by third party organisations and the costs of the trips are reimbursed by them after the event.

The purpose of the electronic expenses system is a financial one. It is to monitor/report on levels of expenditure for various categories of expenses, not their details. The electronic expenses system does not record, nor does it need to record, the full details associated with each claim. For example, whether the mode of transport was first or standard class, the reason for the journey or the name of the hotel, is not recorded on the system.

In addition to their core role, each member of Executive Board has a different portfolio of recurrent and project responsibilities. The nature of the core role combined with the Executive Board portfolio and external responsibilities means that some members of Executive Board have to travel more extensively than others.

Purchasing card spend

Find out information about purchasing card spend.

The details of the purchasing card transactions made by the members of Executive Board (EB) are available to download as pdf documents below. The information is extracted from the Barclaycard system. Each purchase made by individuals is detailed by date and merchant. The Barclaycard system does not record the full details associated with each transaction. For example, the reason for the journey, the number of attendees dining at a restaurant, exact purchases made in a shop, etc. are not recorded on the system.

It is important to note that some of the expenditure incurred by the members of Executive Board may be externally funded by third party organisations and the costs are reimbursed by them after the event.

In addition to their core role, each member of Executive Board has a different portfolio of recurrent and project responsibilities. The nature of the core role combined with the Executive Board portfolio and external responsibilities means that some members of Executive Board incur greater expenditure than others.

Our banking details

The University places cash deposits with a number of banks in line with its counterparty policy, the list as at 31 July 2020 is available here:

Summary of Cash as at 31 July 2020

We have no bank branches or cash machines in any property owned or managed by the University.