DWS Commits to Climate Neutrality and Announces Growth Course at Annual General Meeting

At today's Annual General Meeting, the shareholders of DWS vote on the following main items on the agenda: The appropriation of retained earnings including the distribution of a dividend of EUR 1.67 per share and the election of two new Supervisory Board members. In addition, the election of the statutory auditor and group auditor is in particular on the agenda. The shareholders' meeting will take place virtually for the first time.

In their speeches to DWS shareholders, Karl von Rohr and Asoka Woehrmann highlight the following strategic aspects:

Karl von Rohr, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of DWS: “The decision to appoint Asoka Woehrmann as CEO of DWS in the fall of 2018 has proven to be spot-on. Under his leadership, DWS achieved its hoped-for turnaround in 2019 and is back on the road to success.”

Asoka Woehrmann, CEO of DWS, emphasises with regard to the roadmap for the next decade: “DWS will transform itself. This includes doing everything we can to ensure that we continue to develop into a stand-alone asset manager. With our own technology platform, as well as the use of technologies tailored to asset managers and their clients.

Above all, this includes integrating artificial intelligence into our work. The enrichment of data will form a better basis for fund managers to make investment decisions in the future and – with the help of automation – will also ensure better and more efficient processes.”

Concerning the growth course that DWS now intends to pursue, Woehrmann adds: “We are committed to invest in the growth region of Asia. Although the Coronavirus pandemic may have slowed us down a little here, our view of this market remains unchanged. In Asia, especially in China, DWS has great growth potential thanks to its expertise and business model.”

Woehrmann also adds: “DWS is committed to becoming climate-neutral in its actions – in line with the Paris Agreement – and well ahead of the timeline officially set out in the Agreement. This will not happen overnight, but will only succeed in close and ongoing dialogue and exchange with clients, regulators and stakeholders.

It is also clear that our definition of sustainability encompasses more than just climate action; it includes topics of good corporate governance and social justice. However, tackling climate change is a collective task for this generation, and one to which we are happy to commit ourselves. This is also because we believe in growth potential for DWS and because we want to be a leader among asset managers in the field of ESG.”

At https://group.dws.com/ir/annual-general-meeting/ you can find the agenda and other documents on the Annual General Meeting, as well as a link for the live broadcast including the speeches by the Chairman of the Supervisory Board and the CEO.

For further information please contact

Adib Sisani
+49 69 910 61960
adib.sisani@dws.com                                  

Karsten Swoboda
+49 69 910 14941
karsten.swoboda@dws.com

 

About DWS Group
DWS Group (DWS) is one of the world's leading asset managers with EUR 759bn of assets under management (as of 30 September 2020). Building on more than 60 years of experience, it has a reputation for excellence in Germany, Europe, the Americas and Asia. DWS is recognized by clients globally as a trusted source for integrated investment solutions, stability and innovation across a full spectrum of investment disciplines.

We offer individuals and institutions access to our strong investment capabilities across all major asset classes and solutions aligned to growth trends. Our diverse expertise in Active, Passive and Alternatives asset management – as well as our deep environmental, social and governance focus – complement each other when creating targeted solutions for our clients. Our expertise and on-the-ground-knowledge of our economists, research analysts and investment professionals are brought together in one consistent global CIO View, which guides our investment approach strategically.

DWS wants to innovate and shape the future of investing: with approximately 3,400 employees in offices all over the world, we are local while being one global team. We are investors – entrusted to build the best foundation for our clients’ future.

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