Palatine appoints ESG Director

In her new role Wall joins Palatine’s senior management team. She will continue to lead projects across Palatine’s Buy-Out and Impact funds to embed ESG (environmental, social and governance) practices and continuous improvement across its portfolio, with a particular focus on climate risk and diversity and inclusion strategies.

Wall joined Palatine as ESG Manager in 2018 following eight years with global consultancy WSP, where she advised investors on sustainability improvements.

Over the last three years Wall has been responsible for progressing Palatine’s award-winning ESG framework, which creates value across the firm’s portfolio of investments, enhances good governance and generates measurable improvements in their environmental and societal impact.

Beth Houghton, Partner at Palatine Private Equity and head of its GBP100 millio Impact Fund, says: “ESG is on our DNA at Palatine. We have integrated ESG best practices and evaluation for over a decade. As both investors and management teams become increasingly alive to sustainability and social impact issues, we’re continuing to invest in the talent and infrastructure to help them generate the best outcomes alongside doing the right thing.

“Stephanie’s promotion recognises her dedication and brilliant achievements since joining the Palatine team, and reflects the fact that impact and responsible investing are central to our investment strategy.”

Wall adds: “The scope of ESG is far reaching, from global challenges like climate change to more local opportunities around employee engagement and social value. As ESG becomes more of a mainstream consideration, it’s important that businesses and investors think beyond regulatory compliance and continue to push boundaries. Not least because of the compelling opportunities for value creation that a strategic approach to ESG can deliver.

“At Palatine I have the pleasure of working with some highly receptive and forwarding-thinking management teams with the backing of a partnership with a progressive agenda around responsible investment. I’m excited to continue to evolve and develop our approach.”

Palatine has also hired University of Manchester graduate Nikhita Mistry to assist the ESG team. She will provide support to a range of ESG projects, internally and across the firm’s portfolio.

Headquartered in Manchester and with offices in Birmingham and London, Palatine backs management teams at high growth businesses within the UK mid-market. In 2017, it became was the first mainstream private equity house to raise an Impact fund, investing in profitable businesses with a positive impact on society or the environment.