Permira wins BVCA Responsible Investment Award
Presented by Lord Green at the BVCA Summit, this year's Award celebrates private equity houses that have made a notable commitment to integrating reporting to both its investors and stakeholders on all aspects of its environmental, social and governance (ESG) engagement.
Judged by an independent panel of institutional investors and led by Alan MacKay, Chief Executive of Hermes GPE, one firm was recognised as the overall winner: the judges praised the processes that Permira has embedded to analyse and monitor relevant ESG considerations across its portfolio and in any potential investments. For the second year running, Bridges Ventures was also commended for the leading role it plays in the social investment sector by developing new investment vehicles and innovating new ways of measuring impact.
The BVCA also launched an updated Guide to Responsible Investment at yesterday's Summit. This builds on the 2009 edition, taking the guidance offered to a more detailed and practical level throughout the life cycle of private equity and venture capital investments.
Welcoming the award, Jörg Rockenhäuser, Head of the ESG Group at Permira, said: "Sustainability is a critical measure of the long-term success of our funds' portfolio companies. We spend a lot of time thinking about ways we can proactively support them to address material ESG risks but also capture opportunities to enhance the value of their businesses. This is still work in progress but we are pleased that our efforts have been noted by both our investors and the BVCA."
Alan MacKay, head of the judging panel and Chief Executive of Hermes GPE, said: "Increasingly major investors in private equity are expecting managers to also demonstrate non-financial performance. It is therefore encouraging to see the increasing integration of ESG factors into investment processes and fund reporting across the industry and for the BVCA to be recognising firms' achievements.
Mark Florman, Chief Executive of the BVCA said: "The BVCA remains committed to furthering the responsible investment agenda and we are pleased to be able to honour our members who are actively managing their ESG risks and opportunities. The publication of today's BVCA Guide to Responsible Investment is further testament of this fact. My congratulations go to Permira and Bridges Ventures"
Notes to editor
- To view the BVCA Guide to Responsible Investment please click here.
- The British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (BVCA) is the industry body for the UK private equity and venture capital industry. The BVCA has approximately 520 member firms, representing the overwhelming number of UK-based private equity and venture capital firms and their advisers.
- The BVCA Responsible Investment Award was supported by:
Environmental Resources Management (ERM)
Hermes GPE