Equistone joins United Nations Global Compact

Equistone Partners Europe (“Equistone”), one of Europe’s most active mid-market private equity investors, today announces that it has joined the United Nations Global Compact (“UN Global Compact”), the world’s largest voluntary corporate sustainability initiative with over 24,000 participants across more than 160 countries.

By joining the initiative, Equistone has committed to incorporating the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact into its strategies, policies and procedures while encouraging its portfolio companies to do the same. Equistone is among the top eight largest independent European private equity firms to have made this commitment.* 

These principles are derived from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

Signing up to the UN Global Compact represents an important milestone for Equistone as the firm’s approach to responsible investment continues to evolve. Since appointing three dedicated ESG managers based locally in London, Paris and Munich in December 2022, the firm has strengthened due diligence processes, committed to setting science-based targets and formalised its approach to responsible stewardship. 

Jessica Clavette, ESG Manager, UK, commented: “Joining the UN Global Compact was the natural next step for Equistone as the pillars of our ESG programme intersect with each of the UN Global Compact principles. Additionally, we recognise the extra benefit of gaining access to a broad network of companies addressing these important issues, giving us insights to incorporate into our programme and share across our portfolio. Our participation comes on the heels of a few milestones we've reached in the last year that demonstrate Equistone's continued commitment to being a responsible business.”

In addition to the UN Global Compact, Equistone has been a signatory to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment (UNPRI) since 2019 and a member of the Initiative Climate International (formerly iC20 Climate Initiative) since 2018. 

 

 

*Methodology - This analysis is based on Private Equity International's latest annual PEI 300 list of the largest private equity firms by fundraising activity. The other seven European-headquartered PE firms of at least equal size also signed up to the UN Global Compact are EQT, Inflexion Private Equity Partners, Montagu Private Equity, Eurazeo, IK Partners, Investindustrial, and AXA IM Alts.