Flexstone Partners, a leading asset manager specialised in small and mid-cap global private equity markets and a PRI signatory since 2014, further enhances its ESG approach with the appointment of Caroline Gibert as Head of ESG. In this newly created role, Caroline will lead Flexstone Partners’ ESG strategy at both a firm and portfolio level, responsible for strategy, policies, data collection, reporting, and processes.
Flexstone follows an inclusive approach with a diverse and value-driven team dedicated to tackling social, environmental and governance issues.
“In 2020, we worked on a concrete approach to reinforce our ESG engagement and new thinking on how to use responsible investment to benefit both our clients and company as a whole.”
Caroline Gibert, Head of ESG at Flexstone Partners
Four Sustainable Development Goals have been selected by Flexstone Partners employees in order to guide its role as a ‘citizen firm’. Above all, its aim is to continue contributing to the protection of the environment (goal 13); promote social equality and opportunity (goals 4 & 5); and enhance diversity and inclusion (goal 8).
Flexstone has also reshaped its proprietary ESG analytical and reporting tools to implement an active approach throughout its investment process.
“Our mission is to deliver attractive risk adjusted long term performance to our clients. The objective of ESG integration is to enrich our mission by making sure all portfolio managers and underlying companies are well-placed to develop a sustainable business model.”
Eric Deram, Managing Partner at Flexstone Partners
Caroline Gibert will be supported by an ESG working group with interdisciplinary responsibilities to ensure a consistent ESG integration across the firm. Concrete objectives have been set:
- To produce dedicated ESG reports to each client and a Global ESG report;
- To reach a target for women to represent 40% of the investment teams by 2030;
- To become a neutral carbon company by 2050
“We will also work actively and take part in initiatives in the investment industry to drive changes and find new ways of investing capital.”
Carline Gibert, Head of ESG at Flexstone Partners
Flexstone’s implementation of robust ESG criteria dates back to 2006, when its first mandate was set up with strong ESG guidelines. From that time onward Flexstone has kept improving its ESG approach. The firm signed the UN-PRI in 2014 and outlined a formal ESG investment policy. In 2020, Flexstone committed to the France Invest-sponsored “Gender Equality Charter” and published its first Global ESG policy.
The appointment of Caroline Gibert is a new step in Flexstone’s ESG journey. Caroline’s new function will come in addition to her current role of head of investor relations and business development, working hand in hand with Flexstone’s clients to adapt dedicated ESG reports to their own values and guidelines.
