Location London
Job-type Permanent
Salary £Competitive
Reference BBBH9327_1586356459

An acclaimed private equity firm with a focus on investing in emerging markets has retained Acre to appoint a Head of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) for their London office. This is a newly created remit that will enable greater commercial innovation on ESG topics at both fund and portfolio company level. This senior appointment is fully endorsed by the leadership team and will play a highly visible and integrated role within the firm.

Our client invests across a broad range of industry sectors including FMCG, infrastructure, financial services, telecom, media and technology, providing established companies and start-ups with growth capital and expertise. ESG has been part of the investment thesis since the firm's inception.

This is an opportunity to create and implement your own vision via a new ESG strategy for the business that maximises long term value creation from sustainable development initiatives.

Key areas of focus will be:

  • Working with the investment teams on pre-investment ESG due diligence to help shape investment strategy and inform decision making

  • Building relationships with portfolio companies to help define performance KPIs and to exceed compliance and reporting initiatives (IFC performance standards, GRI, TCFD)

  • Empowering and influencing portfolio companies to drive business plans that fully embrace value creation and impact through Environmental, Social and Governance initiatives

  • Developing best in class firm level ESG policies and frameworks to minimize risk exposure and maximize opportunity

  • At fund level, provide expert guidance and ESG training for management and investment teams to enable deeper ESG integration and into investment thinking and processes.

  • Contributing to client and stakeholder communication on ESG performance and innovation

We're looking for:

  • An ESG professional with leadership experience in creating and implementing new strategies across a range of topics, for example, EHS, climate change, supply chain and social inclusion

  • Sustainability experience gained in emerging markets; an understanding of development finance or private equity is advantageous

  • A broad understanding of ESG risks and opportunities across several sectors

  • Familiarity with key frameworks and metrics in impact measurement methodologies

  • The ability to travel to portfolio companies

This is a unique opportunity to be the catalyst for further ESG integration and value creation in a private equity firm with a commitment to investing responsibly. This is the chance to enhance positive sustainable impact through a diverse investment portfolio in emerging economies.

Helen Pradas-Page, Head of ESG and Responsible Investment, is leading the search.

Ceri Kenyon, Senior Research Consultant, is leading on the initial stages of candidate identification, interviewing and shortlisting.