NorthStar Ethical Defensive Growth Portfolio
Investment Objective
The NorthStar Ethical Defensive Growth Portfolio is suitable for investors who want to invest ethically and require capital growth, but want to significantly mitigate exposure to short-term fluctuations and market volatility. The portfolio is constructed using a broad range of assets which may include equities, fixed income, property, infrastructure, alternative investments and cash. The diversification and lower-risk construction of this portfolio aim to mitigate a significant amount of short-term market volatility and deliver stable performance. Investments focus on assets meeting ethical and sustainable criteria, typically excluding industries such as tobacco, fossil fuels, arms, gambling and animal testing. Equity exposure will typically be around 35%, meaning long-term returns may be lower than those of some portfolios in the NorthStar range to achieve the required level of capital preservation.
Due to the nature of the underlying holdings, investment in this portfolio should be seen as a long-term strategy. Risk aspects include inflation risk, capital risk, shortfall risk and exchange rate risk. Adherence to ethical and sustainable criteria is the key objective and takes priority when selecting underlying holdings. This narrows the investment universe, so returns may differ from, and at times lag, unrestricted portfolios. Cash, money market instruments and government bonds held for liquidity or risk management may not be subject to ethical screening criteria. The portfolio targets a return in excess of 3-4% per annum over a rolling 5-year period and is benchmarked against the IA Mixed Investment 0-35% Shares sector average. Values may fall as well as rise, and investors may not get back the amount originally invested.
Portfolio Risk
The NorthStar Ethical Defensive Growth Portfolio is a lower-risk investment strategy that is likely to exhibit relatively low volatility and downside risk to achieve the required level of capital growth.
FE Risk Score: 41 Indicative Risk Level: 2/10 Volatility: 5.7%
Portfolio Asset Allocation
The current asset allocation of the NorthStar Ethical Defensive Growth Portfolio:
Key Information
A summary of key information about the NorthStar Ethical Defensive Growth Portfolio:
| Portfolio Type: Capital Growth
| Inception Date: 01.01.21
| Constituent Funds: 9
| FE Risk Score: 41
| Historic Yield: 2.7%
| Volatility: 5.7%
| Targeted Average Annual Return¹: 3-4%
| Indicative Risk Level: 2/10
| Rebalance Frequency: Biannual
| Benchmark²: IA MI 0-35% Shares
Constituent Funds
The NorthStar Ethical Defensive Growth Portfolio contains the following funds:
| L&G FW ESG Screened and Selected Multi-Index 4 15%
| Royal London Short Term Money Market 15%
| HSBC Global Responsible Multi-Asset Conservative Portfolio 13%
| Vanguard ESG Screened Developed World All Cap Equity Index 13%
| Vanguard ActiveLife Climate Aware 40-50% Equity 12%
| iShares Screened Global Corporate Bond Index† 9%
| BNY Mellon FutureLegacy 3 8%
| Fidelity Sustainable Multi Asset Balanced 8% 
| Rathbone Ethical Bond 7%
Portfolio Charges
At NorthStar, we believe in total charging transparency and are committed to simple, clear fees. The annual charge for the NorthStar Ethical Defensive Growth Portfolio is:
| Annual Portfolio Charge (OCF)³: 0.38%
All investors also pay an annual platform charge and ongoing advice fee dependent upon circumstances.
About NorthStar Wealth Management
Award-winning independent financial planning designed to help you take control of your money, grow your wealth, protect your lifestyle and plan for a more certain future.
Portfolio Performance
Performance of the NorthStar Ethical Defensive Growth Portfolio since inception (January 2021) to August 2026:
Portfolio Documents
NorthStar Ethical Defensive Growth Portfolio Factsheet
NorthStar Ethical Defensive Growth Portfolio Key Investor Information Document Pack
The NorthStar Portfolio Range
Learn more about the complete range of NorthStar portfolios.
2. Portfolio benchmarked over a rolling 5-year period.
3. Calculated using the weighted ongoing charges figure (OCF) of constituent funds on primary platform. Portfolio charges on other platforms may vary.
Performance data are on a bid-to-bid basis, with income reinvested. Performance data do not take into account platform or advisory charges and exclude any holdings in platform ‘cash accounts’. Performance data show returns for discounted ‘super clean’ funds where these are available. Such funds may not be available on all platforms. Performance data are rounded to the nearest 0.1% so small rounding errors may occur. † Based overseas and therefore not subject to UK sustainable investment labelling and disclosure requirements. For more information, see www.fca.org.uk/consumers/sustainable-investment-labels-greenwashing. For more information on the ethical and sustainable approach of each fund, please refer to the relevant fund factsheet and/or Consumer Facing Disclosure. These documents are available on request. Data correct as at 01.08.26. Source: FE. The value of investments and the income from them can fluctuate and investors may not get back the full amount invested. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. The tax treatment of investments depends on individual circumstances and is subject to changes in tax legislation. Figures are provided for illustrative purposes only and their accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Information provided should not be relied upon in isolation when making investment decisions and does not constitute advice or an offer to purchase any investment or product. Please contact us for more information on our range of portfolios.
Awards, Accreditations & Trade Associations
NorthStar is proud to be a member of the leading financial planning trade associations. Through a continued commitment to adhere to the highest professional standards and deliver exceptional service, NorthStar has received a number of awards and professional accreditations.
