Month: April 2023

We have seen a considerable step change in the importance of ESG and sustainability within the core operating models of financial services providers since 2019.

Due to the continued increase in expectations from governments, investors, shareholders, customers, and clients, businesses are having to refocus, ensuring they are operating more responsibly, while still growing, maintaining, and protecting their commercial outcomes and profits.

Since the PRA (Prudential Regulation Authority, which regulates around 1,500 banks and insurance companies) announced back in 2019 that those working in the banking and insurance space will need to assess their non-financial related disclosures in relation to climate, we’ve seen a significant transformation in the landscape of ESG hiring and how these professionals are being renumerated.

As the demand for sustainability expertise grows across organisations, we’re witnessing the development of a new function in the form of a sustainability centre of excellence, with the leader typically reporting to or sitting on the executive board of the organisation. This reflects how sustainability has evolved and emphasises that businesses are allocating notable resources to ensure sustainability is being prioritised as a core part of their strategic and corporate agenda.

According to the latest salary benchmarking report conducted by Acre’s Advisory Team; sustainable finance compensation packages have increased by a minimum of 25 per cent in the last 18 months.

Candidates and jobs are both in high demand and with sustainability being the lynchpin to shareholders and investors, firms need to secure dedicated ESG, climate, and biodiversity specialists in order to achieve their 2030 and 2050 targets.

Consequently, Acre has seen an increased demand in businesses looking to expand their sustainability capabilities internally, while also trying to retain existing internal talent. Over the last two years, there has been previously unseen dynamism amongst the talent market. As sustainability employees are more aware of their worth in the market, they are commanding increased renumeration packages to move externally, while also being offered exceptional counter-offers to stay. Furthermore, the nature of the role, its alignment with the company sustainability strategy and approach, and career progression are crucial to securing top talent.

Engaging those working in sectors outside of financial services will dip deeper into the talent pool, highlighting the greater emphasis on the level of credibility surrounding sustainability rather than concentrating solely on financial expertise.

If you or your colleagues are looking for support with resourcing for 2023 or would like to have an informal conversation about the market, please feel free to contact Kate O’Rourke, Head of Banking & Insurance at Acre on kate.orourke@acre.com or on 02031488708.

About Acre

At Acre, we work with the most aspirational businesses with potential to make real change; from those who are just starting out to those who are well on the journey to crafting a legacy.

Our 18 years’ experience in sustainability recruitment, combined with our extensive global network, enables us to provide talent solutions that are designed to deliver this change.

Through our unique behavioural assessment technology, we understand the types of people, skills and behaviours required to create impact. We can develop these qualities within your existing teams too.

We find talented people and develop their skills to ensure they make a true impact in ambitious, progressive organisations.

Acre. Making companies ready for tomorrow.

Originally published on TriplePundit.

In many ways, private equity is made to be invested in environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives. But it takes thoughtful strategies to ensure those investments generate maximum value for both business and society.

Record levels of cash reserves — including $1.1 trillion in the U.S. and another $6.3 trillion in assets under management — combined with increased investor focus on ESG could make private equity an attractive vehicle for creating real impact.  

Why private equity is well-suited to ESG investment

ESG topics are important to limited partners and their stakeholders, especially those dealing in pension funds and sovereign wealth funds. Ninety-three percent of limited partners said they would walk away from an investment opportunity if it posed an ESG concern, according to a 2022 survey from Bain and the Institutional Limited Partners Association.

Continue reading here.

About Chris Hagler and Independence Point Advisors 
Chris brings more than 20 years of business expertise in the advancement of Environmental Social Governance (ESG) from the board level, throughout the organization and down to the bottom line. Chris is a Partner and Head of ESG at Independence Point Advisors. Previously she was with EY (Ernst & Young) in Atlanta for over 10 years where she was the Executive Director & Southeast Leader in the Climate Change and Sustainability Services Practice. She holds a Master of Science in the Management of Technology from Georgia Institute of Technology and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Toledo.

Independence Point Advisors (“IPA”) is a women-owned investment bank and advisory firm that was founded on the belief that today’s clients have a diversity of opportunities and challenges that require a diversity of talent to navigate. Through a strategic alliance with Lazard, IPA has created an unrivaled combination of diverse perspectives and experience with Lazard’s preeminent brand in strategic advisory. IPA intends to have a women-owned broker dealer with best-in-class equity and debt capital markets talent. IPA has also formed a team of experts at the intersection of global risk, geostrategy, cyber security, ESG, human capital and board diversity – top of mind issues facing corporate leaders today. For more information about IPA, please visit www.independencepoint.com

About Land Betterment Corporation 
Land Betterment Corporation, an Indiana Benefit Corporation and Pending B-Corp, is an environmental solutions company focused on fostering a positive impact through upcycling former coal mining sites to create sustainable community development and job creation. The Company utilizes a complete solution-based lifecycle program to restore and rehabilitate the environment and revitalize communities in need of change and opportunity. Land Betterment accomplishes this by identifying un-reclaimed, run-down and neglected coal mining sites, fixing the environment through reclamation and remediation, and then repurposing the land to support a sustainable business that serves the community. Land Betterment firmly believes that with real solutions it is possible for restoration of impacted areas to live side-by-side long term employment, while building sustainable and safe surroundings for communities and our planet. For more information visit landbetterment.com or connect with the Company on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other important factors that could cause the Company’s actual results, performance, or achievements or industry results to differ materially from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Land Betterment Corporation’s control. The words “believes”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “would”, “could”, “continue”, “seeks”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “expects”, “intends”, “estimates”, or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. Any forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. The Company cannot assure you that the projected results or events will be achieved.

Company Contacts: 
Mark LaVerghetta 
317.537.0492 ext. 0 
Chief Governance Officer, Corporate Finance 
info@landbetterment.com

Stephanie Conzelman 
207.205.0790 
Stakeholder Engagement Director 
info@landbetterment.com