Excellence in ESG across private equity and venture capital recognised at leading industry event
Outstanding contributions to ESG and impact investment from across private equity and venture capital were recognised at the industry’s leading event on Thursday.
The event, produced in association with engineering group Ramboll, takes place at the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association’s (BVCA) 2021 Summit and marks the conclusion of the BVCA’s ‘Excellence in ESG’ initiative.
Now in its second year, ‘Excellence in ESG’ celebrates firms from across the private capital ecosystem that have made an outstanding commitment to ESG principles.
As decided by a judging panel of multi-sector ESG experts, the top entries across this year’s three categories were:
General Partners:
AUM of less than £1bn: Beringea
For driving industry collaboration through its ESG_VC benchmarking initiative and its commitment to bringing more firms onboard.
AUM of more than £1bn: EMK Capital
For an impressive response to the pandemic from across its portfolio, as well as strong evidence for each portfolio company regarding their ESG targets and achievements.
Limited Partners:
Church Commissioners for England
For having outstanding ESG measurement systems in place across their portfolio, alongside ethical investment standards, set at Board level, that all its fund managers are assessed against.
Portfolio Company:
Weener Plastics (Backed by 3i)
For demonstrating excellent innovation and a clear focus on moving towards more recyclable and reusable products.
Maria Carradice, Managing Director at Mayfair Equity Partners and chair of the judging panel said:
“The panel agreed that the standard of submissions this year was outstanding – clearly indicating the maturation of the industry with regards to identifying and pursuing ESG and impact investment opportunities.”
“This is hugely significant, particularly in the weeks before COP26 and as we look to transition to a net zero economy. As such, arriving at a final decision on exactly which firms to recognise was extremely difficult for the panel this year and took longer than usual.”
Feedback from the judges this year indicated that all submissions demonstrated real progress with regards to ESG-led objectives and impact investing. It was also said that both private equity and venture capital are making remarkable advancements across the ESG spectrum, including net zero, climate change and diversity and inclusion.
Kerry Baldwin, current BVCA chair and Co-Managing Partner of IQ Capital said:
“ESG is no longer seen as a box-ticking exercise. It very much is a value driver. And our members are obviously very committed to it. We run the Excellence in ESG Awards to recognise members’ vital work and inspire others.”
This year’s judging panel comprised:
- Maria Carradice, Managing Director, Portfolio - Environmental, Social and Governance at Mayfair Equity Partners,
- Michael Marshall, Head of Sustainable Ownership at RPMI,
- David Williamson, Senior Environmental Adviser at European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and
- Tomas Sys, Principal at Ramboll.
Notes to Editors
- Excellence in ESG’, produced in association with Ramboll, replaces the BVCA’s long-running Responsible Investment Awards. For details on the categories and the judging criteria, please click here.
- The judging panel contributed to the BVCA’s ‘Insights into ESG’ Series, covering topics from climate change to diversity and inclusion, which can be read at the bottom of this page.
- 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 750 member firms, including more than 450 fund managers and institutional investors
- For more information on any of the above, please contact External Communications Manager, Will English, at [email protected]
