Invest to support the prosperity and transformation of companies that are respectful of society and the environment
ESG performance is embedded in Wendel’s mindset as an investor. It believes that a stringent ESG approach to investment is the most relevant to upholding its responsibility vis-à-vis its shareholders and stakeholders. The investment opportunity assessment framework that it uses sets out a prerequisite for any new investment, the alignment of the company’s activity with Wendel’s values and corporate purpose and an assessment of long-term resilience.
Its permanent capital and the stability of its shareholder base gives it the time and ability to carefully develop and transform companies in which it invests. Wendel sees its commitment to the continuing prosperity of its companies as a legacy of long history and deeply rooted values.
As an investor for the long term, Wendel’s key goal is to support and transform companies with the potential to develop in a changing world and to deliver both return on investment to its shareholders and lasting benefits to society.
In other words, Wendel believes that taking ESG criteria into account for its investment activity helps to create near-term, medium-term and long-term value, without sacrificing the future for the present. Wendel believes that this balance requires a pragmatic approach and a desire for lasting innovation. In concrete terms, this translates into:
- a thorough analysis of long-term trends, as well as of Environment, Social, and Governance risks, impacts, and opportunities prior to any investment;
- the promotion of policies and decisions that promote long-term growth for its portfolio companies and which engage all their stakeholders in shared and sustained value creation;
- the sharing of its best responsible investment practices by evidencing the ESG progress made by the company during the investment;
Invest to support and transform companies which will thrive in a changing world and deliver lasting benefits to society
Screen all potential investments using an up to date exclusion list reflecting Wendel’s values as an investor
100% of investment opportunities screened through Wendel’s exclusion list and business model resilience test criteria
Annual review of Wendel’s exclusion list at Investment Committee and Supervisory Board levels
Conduct ESG due diligence on business model resilience for all potential investments to confirm that the investment thesis is aligned with long-term trends, and full, in-depth ESG and compliance assessments on all new investments
100% of investment opportunities subject to ESG assessment
Define precise ESG roadmaps for all portfolio companies
100% of portfolio companies have formalized an ESG transformation roadmap aligned with their global strategy
100% of portfolio companies’ progress vis-à-vis this roadmap is reviewed at Company Board level once a year
Overall portfolio progress vis-à-vis their ESG transformation roadmaps is reviewed at Wendel Executive Board level annually
Hold Wendel & portfolio companies management teams accountable for progress made against ESG transformation roadmaps
100% of portfolio companies’ Executive Management teams’ variable compensation is partially conditional on progress vis-à-vis their ESG transformation roadmaps
Wendel’s Executive Board’s variable compensation is partially conditional on overall portfolio companies’ progress vis-à-vis their ESG transformation roadmaps (including climate change and gender equality)
100% of Wendel’s Management Teams’ variable compensation is partially conditional on overall portfolio companies’ progress vis-à-vis their ESG transformation roadmaps
Continuously improve the quality of extra-financial portfolio-level information disclosure
Progressively align Wendel’s annual extra-financial reporting with international standards, such as the Task Force of Climate Disclosure (TCFD) reporting framework
Assess and address the portfolio companies’ exposure to transition and physical climate risks
100% of portfolio companies have assessed their carbon footprint
- Percentage of companies calculating their carbon emissions from scopes 1 and 2
100% of portfolio companies have assessed their exposure to physical and transition climate change risks and opportunities.
Promote operational excellence & ESG-driven innovation across the portfolio companies.
100% of portfolio companies have implemented initiatives to reinforce their eco-efficiency and their environmental management
- Percentage of companies that have an environmental management system (notably through ISO 14001 certification) on all or part of the perimeter
100% of portfolio companies have adopted a continuous improvement approach towards occupational Health & Safety
- Percentage of companies that have a Health & Safety management system (notably through OHSAS 18001/ISO 45001 certification) on all or part of the perimeter
100% of companies are committed towards a better gender diversity in their workforce
- Percentage of women in total headcount
100% of portfolio companies have identified product and services impact priorities and defined associated action plans.