06 Oct 2016

BVCA announces best responsible investors of 2016 and launches new ESG campaign

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Some of the UK’s leading private equity and venture capital firms have been recognised for their outstanding commitment to Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) practices at the BVCA Responsible Investment Awards 2016, sponsored by Ramboll Environ and, as media partner, Responsible Investor.

The awards are now in their sixth year and were presented today at the BVCA Summit in London. The winners were announced alongside the launch of a new section of The Investment Agenda, our dedicated website explaining private equity and venture capital’s impact on the UK economy.

Featuring new video interviews with leading ESG proponents and new infographics containing the latest facts and figures highlighting private equity’s commitment to investing responsibly, the campaign demonstrates how responsible investment has always been at the heart of the private equity and venture capital model. Its hands-on approach, active stewardship and long-term ownership of businesses has placed the industry at the forefront of the ESG agenda.

By managing ESG issues throughout the investment cycle, private equity and venture capital drives greater value in our country's companies and builds more sustainable businesses. It is making a positive contribution to the environment, the workplace and the community.

And all of the winners of this year’s Responsible Investment Awards are perfect examples of that. The winners are:

Outstanding Individual Contribution

Winner: Beth Houghton, Partner, Palatine Private Equity

Judges’ comment: “Hermes GPE’s’ submission reflected an active and genuine approach to responsible investment across all their activities and throughout their organisation. The practicality of their framework was also praised by the judges."



Overall ESG Framework - firms with more than £1bn under management

Winner: Hermes GPE

Judges’ comment: “Hermes GPE’s’ submission reflected an active and genuine approach to responsible investment across all their activities and throughout their organisation. The practicality of their framework was also praised by the judges.”



ESG Engagement with Portfolio Companies - firms with more than £1bn under management

Winner: KKR

Judges’ comment: “KKR’s submission highlighted a truly transforming responsible investment strategy in practice. KKR’s varied and solid case studies demonstrated that the firm has put a lot of thought behind its responsible investment approach, and we were particularly impressed by the strong buy-in from KKR’s leadership. Of particular note was the measurement of financial benefit.”



Overall ESG Framework - firms with less than £1bn under management

Winner: Bridges Ventures

Judges’ comment: Judges’ comment: “Bridges Ventures’ strong ESG framework is at the heart of the all the firm’s investment activities and has enabled it to achieve a positive impact. Bridges Ventures’ leadership role in impact investment was also commended.”



ESG Engagement with Portfolio Companies - firms with less than £1bn under management

Winner: North Edge Capital

Judges’ comments: “NorthEdge have continued to demonstrate a strong commitment to the improvement and evolution of their engagement on responsible investment. The judges specifically commented on the use of in-house and bespoke ESG monitoring tool across their portfolio.”


Jeremy Lytle, Investor Relations Partner, ECI, and Chairman of the BVCA's Responsible Investment Committee, said:

"Congratulations to an outstanding set of winners who once again demonstrate how private equity and venture capital is leading the responsible investment agenda. A special mention to Beth Houghton of Palatine, whose pioneering work in the field makes her the clear winner for the outstanding individual contribution, a new category for this year. 

“The standard of submissions remains exceptionally strong, especially amongst the larger firms, and next year we would like even more smaller firms to showcase their achievements in responsible investing.”

Notes to Editors

1. The BVCA Responsible Investment Awards, sponsored by Ramboll Environ with Responsible Investor as media partner, are Europe’s only awards which recognise and celebrate outstanding Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices within private equity and venture capital. 

2. Selected by open nomination, the winners are chosen by an independent judging panel composed of: Adam Black, Coller Capital; Patricia Hamzahee, Integriti Capital; Jonathan Ord, Local Pensions Partnership; Hugh Wheelan, Responsible Investor; David Williamson, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. 

3. The British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA) is the industry body for the UK private equity and venture capital industry. The BVCA has over 600 member firms, representing the vast majority of UK-based private equity and venture capital firms and their advisers.





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