In Private Equity (PE), ESG is often considered a compliance issue. It’s seen as reporting, box-ticking, and more of a burden than a benefit. We’d like to challenge this mindset by demonstrating that when implemented correctly, ESG can be a powerful asset for both your PE firm and your portfolio companies.

As Thrive turns five, the Founder, Jane Dennyson gives a personal reflection on why they started, how much impact they really have achieved and considers what’s next for the consulting firm.

Whilst It might seem like new ESG (Environmental, social and governance) disclosure legislation is announced every week, the UK is one the last countries to formalise requirements. 

But that’s about to change (in early 2025) as the UK looks to endorse their own Sustainability Reporting Standards (UK SRS).

‘ESG’ and ‘sustainability’ are simply terms with evolving definitions that exist to provide a framework for organisations to balance short-term profit-seeking with longer-term responsible practice and commercial resilience. 

They enable the implementation, measurement and communication of societal and environmental impacts while meeting stakeholder expectations.

At its core, ESG reporting isn't just about compliance—it drives action and accountability. Addressing the ESG factors that are most material to your business is essential for future commercial success, and your business’ role in driving positive change. Here are 4 principles to keep front of mind as you develop your next report.

ESG reporting is essential for all businesses today, as it builds trust with investors and customers, enhances business value, and ensures readiness for upcoming regulations.

In today's investment landscape, a solid ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) approach is more than just a buzzword—it's a vital component of risk management and future resilience. For fintech companies, where growth and scrutiny are intense, investors are looking for more than vague promises. They want a clear plan, data-backed progress, and effective governance.

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is shaking things up for businesses in the UK and EU, making sustainability reporting more comprehensive and essential.

One of the challenges fintech companies face is evolving their ESG position at the same pace as growing their business. In 2023, we worked with an AIM-listed fintech that was feeling the pressure to meet increasing investor and client demands across environmental, social and governance issues.

We explore the key themes for ESG in 2024

In the words of the prominent US environmentalist, David R. Brower ‘There is no business on a dead planet’.

Burness Paull has partnered with sustainability consultancy Thrive to expand its ESG advisory offering in response to growing demand from clients.

There are a number of ‘right’ answers to this question, in fact the only ‘wrong’ answers are ‘I don’t know’... or ‘no one’.

With investors’ laser-focused on ESG, boards must consider and review which ESG oversight model is best suited to the businesses they oversee.

Expectations around the need for focussed, credible ESG strategy and disclosure have increased significantly. We see first hand how transformative it can be for companies to embrace the principles of ESG.

In November 22, the EU adopted the Corporate Sustainability Directive, designed to drive much clearer, comparable ESG disclosure from companies

Case study: Utility Warehouse X Thrive

Any company with employees, customers and/or investors should consider their ESG report as a golden opportunity to engage, communicate and build intrinsic value/relationships. You may not HAVE to report but this is changing fast and nobody wants to be a laggard.

According to an EU study 42% of all green claims in European companies marketing materials were exaggerated, false or deceptive.