No sign of divestment following investment forum

Students and staff questioned Imperial College’s investment strategy in an open forum on Wednesday 8^th January. College Provost Ian Walmsley and Chief Operating Officer Robert Kerse answered questions from the Imperial community, with ICU President Camille Boutrolle acting as moderator for the event.

Questions were both pre-submitted, so that the members of senior management could prepare answers, and asked live at the forum. The vast majority of questions asked were regarding Imperial’s investments in arms companies, or companies that, according to research completed by pro-Palestinian activists, may be “complicit” in alleged war crimes committed by the Israel Defense Forces in the Gaza Strip since the conflict began on 7^th October 2023. The questions highlighted that 26% of direct holdings, amounting to £24 million of capital were invested in companies that may fit into this category, with Kerse confirming that there is “no roadmap towards divestment in any of those companies”.

Audience members asked if the College believed that they could understand accusations of complicity by either investing in or having research placements with arms companies. The provost said Imperial did not necessarily have to agree with the actions of any companies it invested in, and that he could not see any “equivalence” in Imperial’s financial actions. 

Questions about Imperial’s social responsibility were also asked, regarding the condemnation of any crimes against humanity or war crimes. Imperial stated that it did not comment on geopolitical matters, although a member of the audience pointed out that in 2022, both the provost and former president Alice Gast had issued a statement that stated Imperial “condemn[ed] the Russian Federation’s unjustified and inhumane invasion.” Professor Walmsley also pointed out the statements Imperial had released in 2023 and 2024, as well as referring to legal sanctions the UK government had placed on Russian investments and research agreements following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 

Discussions around Imperial’s green policy were also highlighted. As part of Imperial’s green commitments, the Zero Index policy had been enacted last year. 

Kerse also confirmed there are “no plans” to integrate cryptocurrency investments, but would be open to hearing any research that suggests cryptocurrency may be a sustainable and worthwhile investment.