2017
Idinvest Partners OO 01 Mandatory Gateway/Peering General
OO 01.1 Select the services you offer.
Fund management
% of assets under management (AUM) in ranges
<10%
10-50%
>50%
Fund of funds, manager of managers, sub-advised products
% of assets under management (AUM) in ranges
<10%
10-50%
>50%
Other, specify
Execution and advisory services
OO 01.2 Additional information. [Optional]
With more than €7 billion under management, Idinvest Partners is a European leader in financing small and medium-sized enterprises. So far we have accompanied over 3,500 companies since our formation in 1997. We specialise in three areas, drawing from a range of complementary solutions:
Growth capital – direct equity investment in companies with very high growth potential, particularly in digital, healthcare and cleantech sectors (energies and cities). Private debt and corporate financing – senior or subordinated debt investments in SMEs with organic or external growth plans (Unitranche, Senior Debt and Corporate Financing). Private Funds Group and direct equity co-investments – primary commitments, secondary transactions and direct equity co-investments.
With a drive to deliver performance to its investors, Idinvest Partners is convinced that value creation is a long-term undertaking for both companies and shareholders.
Idinvest Partners’ aim is to invest in market leaders, to actively support them in achieving sustainable growth and to contribute to their international development. Thanks to their high levels of sector expertise and rigorous investment methods, Idinvest Partner’s teams have been able to seize opportunities to invest in high-potential companies and finance numerous innovative projects.
Private equity fund selection expertise
The management of private equity funds, secondaries and co-investments in Europe today represents assets of around €3 billion. Every year more than €250 million is invested by Idinvest Partners team guided by its unique expertise in selecting European funds and companies. Building on this strength, Idinvest Partners provides investors:
Exclusive access to top performing funds. Idinvest Partners provides access to the best funds reserved for a limited number of investors. A diversified strategy to optimize returns. Idinvest Partners co-invests with the top performing European LBO funds supplemented by secondary investments to boost the performance of its portfolio. In-depth knowledge of the market.
The management team performs analysis of more than 100 funds per year that are documented in its proprietary database.
A major provider of financing for company growth
With assets under management of nearly € 2 billion in growth capital, Idinvest Partners is one of the most active investors in the European segment. The investment team of eleven partners has a particular focus on the development and international expansion of companies in the portfolio. Idinvest Partners has invested in more than 150 high-tech companies offering potential for strong growth.
To meet these challenges, Idinvest Partners has the resources to make regular investments over the longer term in innovative companies of between €50 million to €70 million per year, based on an extremely selective methodology. Overall this represents investments of more than €1.3 billion managed through tax savings funds (FCPI IR and ISF) and holdings.
Private debt
Idinvest Partners established its direct lending activity (Private debt) in 2007 and in 2016 it reached € 2.2 billion assets under management. Through thee pillars (senior debt, direct lending and corporate loans) we support nearly 160 healthy European SMEs from diversified sectors and countries, with a buy and hold strategy
In 2016, we achieved several investments:
Our direct investments (direct private equity and fixed income fund management) increased by 26% between 2015 and 2016, from €3,957bn to €4,991bn. On Venture Capital (direct private equity) investments, we raised a Fund Growth for €250m and in the process of raising a digital Fund and a Cleantech fund. We created a senior debt fond at €400m and another at €500m. On private debt, we are raising €700m for end 2017 for a new fond.
Idinvest Partner’s vocation to grow businesses positions it as a partner for entrepreneurs, working alongside them under a shared vision.
Idinvest Partners respects the independence of the companies in which it invests and provides them with expertise and advice in a variety of areas. Idinvest Partners is actively involved in the various phases of business development, from start-up (seed capital) through to transfer of ownership. Idinvest Partners develops strong, close relationships with its partners and clients, in line with its key values of trust, partnership and transparency.
OO 02 Mandatory Peering General
OO 02.1 Select the location of your organisation’s headquarters.
France
2 TRANSPARENCY OO 02.2 Indicate the number of countries in which you have offices (including your headquarters).
1
2-5
6-10
>10
OO 02.3 Indicate the approximate number of staff in your organisation in full-time equivalents (FTE).
83
OO 02.4 Additional information. [Optional]
Idinvest Partners has 80 employees, all located at the headquarters of the company and 3 located in subsidiaries. This includes members of the Executive Board, the teams of investment, the sales, communication and marketing department, the general secretary, the internal control and compliance and all functions support of investment activity.
OO 03 Mandatory Descriptive General
OO 03.1 Indicate whether you have subsidiaries within your organisation that are also PRI signatories in their own right.
Yes
No
OO 03.3 Additional information. [Optional]
The three subsidiaries are not PRI signatories – their investments activities are integrated in this report – consolidated report for the headquarters and the branches.
OO 04 Mandatory Gateway/Peering General
OO 04.1 Indicate the year end date for your reporting year.
31/12/2016
OO 04.2 Indicate your total AUM at the end of your reporting year, excluding subsidiaries you have chosen not to report on.
Total AUM 7,619,938,773EUR
OO 05 Mandatory to Report, Voluntary to Disclose Gateway General
OO 05.1 Provide an approximate percentage breakdown of your AUM at the end of your reporting year using the following asset classes:
Externally managed (%) Internally managed (%)
Listed equity 0 0
Fixed income 10-50% 0
Private equity 10-50% 10-50%
Property 0 0
Infrastructure 0 0
Commodities 0 0
Hedge funds 0 0
Forestry 0 0
Farmland 0 0
Inclusive finance 0 0
Cash 0 0
Other (1), specify 0 0
Other (2), specify 0 0
OO 06 Mandatory Descriptive General
OO 06.1 How you would like to disclose your asset class mix.
as percentage breakdown
as broad ranges
OO 06.2 Publish our asset class mix as per attached image [Optional].
OO 06.3 Provide contextual information on your AUM asset class split. [Optional]
Fixed-income corresponds to Private debt and corporate financing – senior or subordinated debt investments in SMEs with organic or external growth plans (Unitranche, Senior Debt and Corporate Financing). Private Equity Externally managed corresponds to Private Funds Group a – primary commitments, secondary transactions. Direct private equity invesments corresponds to Growth capital – direct equity investment in companies with very high growth potential, particularly in
3 TRANSPARENCY digital, healthcare and cleantech sectors (energies and cities), but also direct equity co-investments.
OO 07 Mandatory to Report, Voluntary to Disclose Gateway General
OO 07.1 Provide to the nearest 5% the percentage breakdown of your Fixed Income AUM at the end of your reporting year, using the following categories. Private
OO 08 Mandatory to Report, Voluntary to Disclose Peering General
OO 08.1 Provide a breakdown of your organisation’s externally managed assets between segregated mandates and pooled funds. Private
OO 08.2 Additional information. [Optional] Private
OO 09 Mandatory to Report, Voluntary to Disclose Peering General
OO 09.1 Indicate the breakdown of your organisation’s AUM by market. Private
OO 09.2 Additional information. [Optional] Private
OO 11 Mandatory Gateway General
OO 11.1 Select the internally managed asset classes in which you addressed ESG incorporation into your investment decisions and/or your active ownership practices (during the reporting year).
Fixed income - corporate (non-financial)
Private equity
None of the above
OO 11.2 Select the externally managed assets classes where you addressed ESG incorporation and/or active ownership in your external manager selection, appointment and/or monitoring processes (during the reporting year)
Private equity
None of the above
OO 12 Mandatory Gateway General
OO 12.1 Select from below any additional applicable modules or sections you would like to report on voluntarily. You are only required to report on asset classes that represent 10% or more of your AUM.
Core modules
Organisational Overview
Strategy and Governance
RI implementation directly or via service providers
Direct - Fixed Income
Fixed income - Corporate (non-financial)
Direct - Other asset classes with dedicated modules
Private Equity
RI implementation via external managers
Indirect - Selection, Appointment and Monitoring of External Managers
Private Equity
Closing module
Closing module
4 TRANSPARENCY SG 01 Mandatory Core Assessed General
SG 01.1 Indicate if you have an investment policy that covers your responsible investment approach.
Yes
SG 01.2 Indicate the components/types and coverage of your policy.
Policy components/types Coverage by AUM
Policy setting out your overall approach
Formalised guidelines on environmental factors
Formalised guidelines on social factors
Formalised guidelines on corporate governance factors Applicable policies cover all AUM Asset class-specific RI guidelines Applicable policies cover a majority of AUM Sector specific RI guidelines Applicable policies cover a minority of AUM Screening / exclusions policy
Other, specify (1) Engagement policy Other, specify(2)
SG 01.4 Indicate what norms you have used to develop your investment policy that covers your responsible investment approach.
UN Global Compact Principles
UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
International Bill of Human Rights
International Labour Organization Conventions
United Nations Convention Against Corruption
OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
Other, specify (1)
other (1) description
Article 173 de la Loi sur la Transition Energétique et Ecologique (LTE)
Other, specify (2)
other (2) description
Article 224 de la loi Grenelle II
Other, specify (3)
None of the above
No
SG 01.6 Provide a brief description of the key elements, any variations or exceptions to your investment policy that covers your responsible investment approach. [Optional]
With more than €7 billion under management, Idinvest Partners is a European leader in financing small and medium-sized enterprises. So far we have accompanied over 3,500 companies since our formation in 1997. We specialise in three areas, drawing from a range of complementary solutions:
Growth capital – direct equity investment in companies with very high growth potential, particularly in digital, healthcare and cleantech sectors (energies and cities). Private debt and corporate financing – senior or subordinated debt investments in SMEs with organic or external growth plans (Unitranche, Senior Debt and Corporate Financing). Private Funds Group and direct equity co-investments – primary commitments, secondary transactions and direct equity co-investments.
Idinvest Partner’s vocation to grow businesses positions it as a partner for entrepreneurs, working alongside them under a shared vision.
Idinvest Partners respects the independence of the companies in which it invests and provides them with expertise and advice in a variety of areas. Idinvest Partners is actively involved in the various phases of business development, from start-up (seed capital) through to transfer of ownership. Idinvest Partners develops strong, close relationships with its partners and clients, in line with its key values of trust, partnership and transparency.
From the early beginning of our ESG commitment, we have wished to bring meaning and growth against awakening issues, such as ESG factors as a whole and, more recently, on climate change issues which were crystallised at the end of 2015 by the 21st Climate Change Conference (COP21).
Our strategy is built around setting an example, promoting ESG awareness and knowledge and convincing portfolio companies of the value in having an ESG strategy to attract investors.
Being long-term investor, Idinvest Partners values meaningful action plans and discussions with managers. This is integrated in our Responsible Private Equity policy (RPE) throughout the investment lifecycle (acquisition, monitoring, reporting) by adapting this to:
the diversity of its activities (indirect private equity investments, direct capital investments and fixed income); the typology of the companies financed (start-ups and SMEs that are often not structured around these issues); its level of influence on businesses (venture, minority or debt investments).
As a responsible investor, Idinvest Partners is aware of the role the financial sector has to play in raising awareness among actors of the real economy facing challenges related to climate change for example.
In particular, Idinvest Partners considers its role as a responsible investor to pro-actively support promising companies developing solutions for a cleaner future. This believe is directly incorporated in the investment strategy by supporting cleantech entrepreneurs and by investing in projects with strong environmental added value, particularly those that favour energy transition: renewable energy, energy efficiency, smart grids, smart buildings, eco-mobility,
5 TRANSPARENCY etc.
Since 2002, Idinvest Partners has been engaged in an initial consideration of Socially Responsible Private Equity: we strongly believe in the need to incorporate extra-financial factors (Environmental, Social and Governance, or ESG) in our business lines while at the same time maintaining a high level of performance.
In 2007, Idinvest Partners began to include these concerns in its operations, with a view to increasing ESG awareness.
In 2012, Idinvest Partners has entered a new phase of ESG implementation and consolidation when it formalized its Responsible Private Equity (RPE) Policy, which is available on its website at http://www.idinvest.com/en/pdf/Idinvest_Responsible_PE%20Policy_Public_version_website.pdf.
In 2013, Idinvest Partners set up its processes for incorporating ESG policy in its direct investment portfolios (Growth Capital, co-invesment and Private Debt) and, for Fund investments (primaries and secondaries) as of 2014.
In 2015, Idinvest Partners started working on the definition of a 5-year roadmap for its ESG policy. Particular focus was put on dialogue with portfolio companies on ESG issues, carbon footprint assessment of portfolios, as well as Idinvest’s own CSR practices.
In 2016, all our investment processes were reviewed to make sure relevant level of information was taken into account upon investment and during the investment lifecycle. The ESG profiles used during selection processes were updated as well as follow-up reporting questionnaires. A new questionnaire was created for General Partners follow-up, 21 GPs were interrogated in 2016 with a 100% answer rate.
In practical term, we seek to work closely with our investee companies and funds, and wish to strengthen this partnership by maintaining an active dialog with them on the importance of implementing these new extra-financial criteria in their operations. This is because we believe that extra-financial issues deserve particular attention from both a strategic and an operational perspective, since they may serve to create value and manage risks more effectively.
It should be noted that we have implemented our ESG policy to all our new investments. Regarding the portfolio of 450+ investments, we apply dedicated ESG processes to the following categories of investments:
portfolio investments that are or will be subject to the French Grenelle 2 regulatory requirements on CSR and carbon footprint reporting,
investments for which a client or an investment partner has requested an ESG approach and corresponding reports,
portfolio investments or potential investees with business activities that involve high reputational or ESG risk, and which have been identified as such in Idinvest Partners' Responsible Private Equity Policy.
In addition, our Responsible Private Equity policy is also applied according to a progressive operational approach: in a first step through the analysis of the ESG risk profile of each of our investments and, in a second step, with an adapted monitoring according to the level of ESG risk detected.
The key areas of our ESG analysis, dialogue and engagement process are the following:
Governance : Transparent and effective corporate governance ; Forward-looking management
Environmental : Using resources in a sustainable manner ; Reducing adverse impacts on the environment ; Contribute to the fight against climate change
Human resources : Employee attraction and retention ; Promotion of dialog between employees and management ; Job creation
Relations with external stakeholders : Partnership with customers and suppliers to promote the use of ESG criteria; Consideration of our impact on external stakeholders (individuals and communities, the natural environment)
SG 02 Mandatory Core Assessed PRI 6
SG 02.1 Indicate which of your investment policy documents (if any) are publicly available. Provide a URL and an attachment of the document.
Policy setting out your overall approach
URL/Attachment
URL http://www.idinvest.com/pdf/Idinvest_Responsible_Private_Equity_Policy.pdf Attachment (will be made public)
Formalised guidelines on environmental factors
URL/Attachment
URL http://www.idinvest.com/pdf/Idinvest_Responsible_Private_Equity_Policy.pdf Attachment (will be made public)
Formalised guidelines on social factors
URL/Attachment
URL http://www.idinvest.com/pdf/Idinvest_Responsible_Private_Equity_Policy.pdf Attachment (will be made public)
Formalised guidelines on corporate governance factors
URL/Attachment
URL http://www.idinvest.com/pdf/Idinvest_Responsible_Private_Equity_Policy.pdf Attachment (will be made public)
Asset class-specific RI guidelines
Screening / exclusions policy
URL/Attachment
URL
6 TRANSPARENCY http://www.idinvest.com/pdf/Idinvest_Responsible_Private_Equity_Policy.pdf Attachment (will be made public)
Other, specify (1)
We do not publicly disclose our investment policy documents
SG 02.4 Additional information [Optional].
For competitive reasons, Idinvest Partners does not disclose the details of its ESG processes.
Moreover, the voting right policy is also publicly available http://www.idinvest.com/pdf/politique-des-droits-de-vote.pdf
SG 03 Mandatory Core Assessed General
SG 03.1 Indicate if your organisation has a policy on managing potential conflicts of interest in the investment process.
Yes
SG 03.2 Describe your policy on managing potential conflicts of interest in the investment process.
From its belonging to the Allianz Group for many years, Idinvest Partners has maintained a quality know-how and discipline related to ethics monitoring and internal control practices.
Among the contents of its Code of Ethics, Idinvest Partners defines overall rules to avoid conflicts of interest between its different business lines. Consequently, Idinvest Partners manages its conflicts of Interest on the basis of :
Completely independant business lines in terms of process, technical and human means, and procedures. Back office and investment teams entirely dedicated to each business line, with an independant reporting line. Appropriate controls carried out by persons belonging to a distinct operational department of the one that initiated the operation. Information systems and reporting dedicated to each business line.
To support this process, Idinvest Partners has a dedicated person in-house in order to identify, to monitor and to manage accurately every potential conflicts of interests.
No
SG 04 Voluntary Descriptive General
SG 04.1 Indicate if your organisation has a process for identifying and managing incidents that occur within portfolio companies. Private
SG 04.2 Describe your process on managing incidents Private
SG 05 Mandatory Gateway/Core Assessed General
SG 05.1 Indicate if and how frequently your organisation sets and reviews objectives for its responsible investment activities.
Quarterly or more frequently
Biannually
Annually
Less frequently than annually
Ad-hoc basis
It is not reviewed
SG 05.2 Additional information. [Optional]
Idinvest Partners has established a dedicated Responsible Private Equity (RPE) policy for all its activities.
Since 2002, Idinvest Partners has been engaged in an initial consideration of Socially Responsible Private Equity: we strongly believe in the need to incorporate extra-financial factors (Environmental, Social and Governance, or ESG) in our business lines while at the same time maintaining a high level of performance.
In 2007, Idinvest Partners began to include these concerns in its operations, with a view to increasing ESG awareness.
In 2012, Idinvest Partners has entered a new phase of ESG implementation and consolidation when it formalized its Responsible Private Equity (RPE) Policy, which is available on its website at http://www.idinvest.com/en/pdf/Idinvest_Responsible_PE%20Policy_Public_version_website.pdf.
In 2013, Idinvest Partners set up its processes for incorporating ESG policy in its direct investment portfolios (Growth Capital, co-invesment and Private Debt) and, for Fund investments (primaries and secondaries) as of 2014.
In 2015, Idinvest Partners started working on the definition of a 5-year roadmap for its ESG policy. Particular focus was put on dialogue with portfolio companies on ESG issues, carbon footprint assessment of portfolios, as well as Idinvest’s own CSR practices.
In 2016, all our investment processes were reviewed to make sure relevant level of information was taken into account upon investment and during the investment lifecycle. The ESG profiles used during selection processes were updated as well as follow-up reporting questionnaires. A new questionnaire was created for General Partners follow-up, 21 GPs were interrogated in 2016 with a 100% answer rate.
In practical term, we seek to work closely with our investee companies and funds, and wish to strengthen this partnership by maintaining an active dialog with them on the importance of implementing these new extra-financial criteria in their operations. This is because we believe that extra-financial issues deserve particular attention from both a strategic and an operational perspective, since they may serve to create value and manage risks more effectively.
It should be noted that we have implemented our ESG policy to all our new investments. Regarding the portfolio of 450+ investments, we apply dedicated ESG processes to the following categories of investments:
portfolio investments that are or will be subject to the French Grenelle 2 regulatory requirements on CSR and carbon footprint reporting,
investments for which a client or an investment partner has requested an ESG approach and corresponding reports,
7 TRANSPARENCY portfolio investments or potential investees with business activities that involve high reputational or ESG risk, and which have been identified as such in Idinvest Partners' Responsible Private Equity Policy.
In addition, our Responsible Private Equity policy is also applied according to a progressive operational approach: in a first step through the analysis of the ESG risk profile of each of our investments and, in a second step, with an adapted monitoring according to the level of ESG risk detected.
The key areas of our ESG analysis, dialogue and engagement process are the following:
Governance : Transparent and effective corporate governance ; Forward-looking management
Environmental : Using resources in a sustainable manner ; Reducing adverse impacts on the environment ; Contribute to the fight against climate change
Human resources : Employee attraction and retention ; Promotion of dialog between employees and management ; Job creation
Relations with external stakeholders : Partnership with customers and suppliers to promote the use of ESG criteria; Consideration of our impact on external stakeholders (individuals and communities, the natural environment)
SG 06 Voluntary Descriptive General
SG 06.1 List the main responsible investment objectives that your organisation set for the reporting year. Private
SG 06.2 Additional information. Private
SG 07 Mandatory Core Assessed General
SG 07.1 Indicate the roles present in your organisation and for each, indicate whether they have oversight and/or implementation responsibilities for responsible investment.
Roles present in your organisation
Board members or trustees
Oversight/accountability for responsible investment
Implementation of responsible investment
No oversight/accountability or implementation responsibility for responsible investment
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Investment Officer (CIO), Investment Committee
Oversight/accountability for responsible investment
Implementation of responsible investment
No oversight/accountability or implementation responsibility for responsible investment
Other Chief-level staff or head of department, specify COO in charge of Compliance Oversight/accountability for responsible investment
Implementation of responsible investment
No oversight/accountability or implementation responsibility for responsible investment
Portfolio managers
Oversight/accountability for responsible investment
Implementation of responsible investment
No oversight/accountability or implementation responsibility for responsible investment
Investment analysts
Oversight/accountability for responsible investment
Implementation of responsible investment
No oversight/accountability or implementation responsibility for responsible investment
Dedicated responsible investment staff
External managers or service providers
Oversight/accountability for responsible investment
Implementation of responsible investment
No oversight/accountability or implementation responsibility for responsible investment
Investor relations
Oversight/accountability for responsible investment
Implementation of responsible investment
No oversight/accountability or implementation responsibility for responsible investment
Other role, specify (1)
Other role, specify (2)
SG 07.2 For the roles for which you have RI oversight/accountability or implementation responsibilities, indicate how you execute these responsibilities.
To effectively support the deployment of its Responsible Private Equity (RPE) Policy and ultimately its ESG processes, Idinvest Partners has strengthened its internal organization by:
A - Forming a RPE/ESG Committee: In 2011, to monitor and lead Idinvest Partners' Responsible Private Equity policy. This steering group is composed of the Chairman of the Board, the Capital Growth Partner, the Director of Marketing and the COO in charge of Compliance. The committee meets to discuss core strategic points needed to define the RPE policy in the medium term, monitor ESG issues and handle internal and external communication. The committee
8 TRANSPARENCY members have both seniority and operational skills, qualities that guarantee the credibility of the RPE policy. Matthieu Baret is also responsible for ESG matters within our company.
B - Incorporating ESG issues in its current governance bodies. Namely:
Idinvest Partners' Investment Committee is competent to examine any ESG Profile Reviews of its investments, and to either exclude a prospective investment or apply a certain degree and mode of ESG monitoring. For all of our investments we have also adapted the following internal documents (adapted for our different business lines) to account for ESG considerations: i) The Final Investment Recommendation (FIR) or the Final Acquisition Recommendation (FAR), which includes the summary of ESG Profile Review results in the form of an investment memorandum. ii) The Investment Committee Report, which includes the summary of ESG Profile Review results, the investment decision, and any specific or detailed ESG due diligence that may be initiated. iii) Investment Executive Summary, which validates the preparation of the ESG Profile Review and the ESG risk/rating.
SG 07.3 Indicate the number of dedicated responsible investment staff your organisation has.
0.5
SG 07.4 Additional information. [Optional]
The two members of Idinvest Partners' Executive Board, the investment team Partners of Idinvest Partners' five business lines, the Chief Operating & Control Officer in charge of Compliance and the Head of Marketing relations are closely involved in implementing and internally monitoring the Responsible Private Equity Policy.
Besides, updates on our Responsible Private Equity Policy is made annually to all employees during our yearly seminar.
At last, in 2014, the Partner in charge of the implementation of the RPE policy in-house was selected to join the PRI Private Equity steering committeee.
SG 08 Voluntary Additional Assessed General
SG 08.1 Indicate if your organisation’s performance management, reward and/or personal development processes have a responsible investment element. Private
SG 08.3 Provide any additional information on your organisation’s performance management, reward and/or personal development processes in relation to responsible investment. Private
SG 09 Mandatory Core Assessed PRI 4,5
SG 09.1 Select the collaborative organisation and/or initiatives of which your organisation is a member or in which it participated during the reporting year, and the role you played.
Principles for Responsible Investment
Your organisation’s role in the initiative during the reporting period (see definitions)
Advanced
Provide a brief commentary on the level of your organisation’s involvement in the initiative. [Optional]
At the end of 2014, the Partner in charge of the implementation of the RPE policy in-house was selected to join the PRI Private Equity steering committee.
AFIC – La Commission ESG
Your organisation’s role in the initiative during the reporting period (see definitions)
Advanced
Provide a brief commentary on the level of your organisation’s involvement in the initiative. [Optional]
Active participation to the works of this commission
Asian Corporate Governance Association
Australian Council of Superannuation Investors
BVCA – Responsible Investment Advisory Board
CDP Climate Change
CDP Forests
CDP Water
CFA Institute Centre for Financial Market Integrity
Code for Responsible Investment in SA (CRISA)
Code for Responsible Finance in the 21st Century
Council of Institutional Investors (CII)
ESG Research Australia
Eumedion
EVCA – Responsible Investment Roundtable
Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)
Global Investors Governance Network (GIGN)
Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN)
Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB)
Green Bond Principles
Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC)
9 TRANSPARENCY Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR)
International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN)
Investor Group on Climate Change, Australia/New Zealand (IGCC)
International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC)
Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR)/CERES
Local Authority Pension Fund Forum
Principles for Sustainable Insurance
Regional or National Social Investment Forums (e.g. UKSIF, Eurosif, ASRIA, RIAA), specify
Responsible Finance Principles in Inclusive Finance
Shareholder Association for Research and Education (Share)
United Nations Environmental Program Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)
United Nations Global Compact
Other collaborative organisation/initiative, specify
Other collaborative organisation/initiative, specify
Other collaborative organisation/initiative, specify
Other collaborative organisation/initiative, specify AFIC's Cleantechs club
Your organisation’s role in the initiative during the reporting year (see definitions)
Moderate
Provide a brief commentary on the level of your organisation’s involvement in the initiative. [Optional]
Active participation to the working groups
SG 10 Mandatory Core Assessed PRI 4
SG 10.1 Indicate if your organisation promotes responsible investment, independently of collaborative initiatives.
Yes
SG 10.2 Indicate which of the following actions your organisation has taken to promote responsible investment, independently of collaborative initiatives.
Provided or supported education or training programmes for clients, investment managers, broker/dealers, investment consultants, legal advisers or other investment organisations
Provided financial support for academic or industry research on responsible investment
Encouraged better transparency and disclosure of responsible investment practices across the investment industry
Spoke publicly at events and conferences to promote responsible investment
Wrote and published in-house research papers on responsible investment
Encouraged the adoption of the PRI
Wrote articles on responsible investment in the media.
Other, specify
No
SG 10.3 Describe any additional actions and initiatives that your organisation has taken part in during the reporting year to promote responsible investment [Optional]
Idinvest Partners seeks to promote responsible investment at his level on different ways :
We encourage the adoption of the PRI ever since we published in 2013 our Responsible Private Equity (RPE) Policy on our website.
We organized presentations to several institutional clients / LPs in 2016 to present our Responsible Private equity (RPE) Policy and the ESG integration processes developed within our different funds in which they (could) invest. In that connection we meet to them the ESG 2016 report and we conducted ESG questionnaires in relation to this topic. Those commercial initiatives contributes to create an ESG awareness and a progressive leadership within the private equity industry.
We spoke publicly at the IPEM ESG conference in Cannes (January 2017). Also, we are members of two working groups at the ESG commission at AFIC (ESG and Cleantech).
When on roadshows around the world addressing potential investors, we systematically communicate on our PRI commitments and ESG policy. We insist on the fact that we are engaged in Responsible investment, especially in China. This participates in the promotion of responsible investment principles.
To encourage a better transparency and disclosure of responsible investment practices, we apply this standard for ourselves: indeed, in application of our ESG integration process, we informed our investors when we signed the UN-PRI in 2011 and when we revised our Responsible Private Equity Policy.
What is more, to ensure that our direct investments observe our ESG processes, every year since 2013, we have set up a reporting system for our portfolio investments that provides ESG information based on targeted ESG performance indicators. Each year, the number of collected indicators increases, in compliance with the AFIC's recommendations and the key ESG criteria our Investment Managers identify when they prepare the ESG Profile Review of prospective investments during the due-diligence phase (or in response to a call for re investment). The result of this ESG reporting sent to all our direct investment is disclosed in our Annual ESG report, available on our website.
This reporting system was extended in 2016 to our funds’ investments (primaries and secondaries transactions) to the General Partners (GPs). A questionnaire was sent to 20 General Partners, with a 100% response rate. 57% of interrogated GPs are PRI signatories and 90% have a formalised ESG policy.
We are planning to increase the number of General Partners in our scope up to 35 in 2017.
10 TRANSPARENCY In 2016, the annual ESG report printed versions (recycled paper) was proactively sent to 1 200 persons, among which 60% are clients and 40% of potential clients.
The information was relayed on social networks (LinkedIn), following a flash information to the 1,200 persons.
Other ESG information regarding our ESG processes are integration into the PPMs and disclosed only to clients.
SG 11 Voluntary Additional Assessed PRI 4,5,6
SG 11.1 Indicate if your organisation - individually or in collaboration with others - conducted dialogue with public policy makers or regulators in support of responsible investment in the reporting year. Private
SG 11.4 Provide a brief description of the main topics your organisation has engaged with public policy-makers or regulators on. Private
SG 12 Mandatory Descriptive PRI 1
SG 12.1 Indicate if your organisation executes scenario analysis and/or modelling in which the risk profile of future ESG trends at portfolio level is calculated.
We execute scenario analysis which includes factors representing the investment impacts of future environmental trends
We execute scenario analysis which includes factors representing the investment impacts of future social trends
We execute scenario analysis which includes factors representing the investment impacts of future governance trends
We execute other scenario analysis, specify
We do not execute such scenario analysis and/or modelling
SG 12.2 Indicate if your organisation considers ESG issues in strategic asset allocation and/or allocation of assets between sectors or geographic markets.
We do the following
We do not consider ESG issues in strategic asset allocation
SG 12.3 Additional information. [OPTIONAL]
Sector development perspectives are always taken into consideration for Cleantech investment. These specialise on environmental impacts but might also take into account social considerations such as the impact of demographic growth for a given model.
Through the investments in digital and health sectors, Idinvest Partners can analyse the future social trends in this field and can adapt its investment policy accordingly.
SG 13 Mandatory to Report, Voluntary to Disclose Additional Assessed PRI 1
SG 13.1 Some investment risks and opportunities arise as a result of long term trends. Indicate which of the following you act on. Private
SG 13.5 Additional information [Optional] Private
SG 14 Mandatory to Report, Voluntary to Disclose Descriptive PRI 1
SG 14.1 Indicate if your organisation allocates assets to, or manages, funds based on specific environmental and social themed areas. Private
SG 14.3 Additional Information [Optional] Private
SG 17 Voluntary Descriptive General
SG 17.1 Indicate whether any specific features of your approach to responsible investment are particularly innovative. Private
SG 17.3 Additional information. Private
11 TRANSPARENCY SAM 01 Mandatory Core Assessed PRI 4
SAM 01.1 Indicate whether your organisation uses investment consultants and/or fiduciary managers.
Yes, we use investment consultants
SAM 01.2 Indicate how your organisation uses investment consultants in the selection, appointment and/or monitoring of external managers.
We use investment consultants in our selection and appointment of external managers
Asset class
Private equity (PE)
We use investment consultants in our monitoring of external managers
SAM 01.3 Indicate if your organisation considers responsible investment in the selection, appointment and/or review processes for investment consultants.
Responsible investment is incorporated in the selection process for investment consultants
Consultants’ responsibilities in terms of responsible investment in manager selection, appointment and monitoring processes are included in our contractual agreements with them.
Responsible investment is considered when reviewing investment consultants’ advice on manager selection and performance monitoring.
We do not consider responsible investment in the selection, appointment and/or review processes for investment consultants.
Yes, we use a fiduciary manager that delegates management of some or all of our assets to third-party managers.
No, we do not use investment consultants or fiduciary managers.
SAM 01.7 Additional information [Optional].
Starting in July 2014, Idinvest Partners has become the management company of four FIA previously managed by Allianz Global Investors (France). This in turn makes Allianz GI France the remaining portfolio manager of the underlying securities (including in private equity, listed equities and other assets) with Idinvest assuming the role of risk management.
For the rest of its indirect investments, Idinvest Partners manages directly the implementation of its ESG process
SAM 02 Mandatory Gateway PRI 1
SAM 02.1 Indicate for which of the following externally managed asset classes your organisation, and/or your investment consultants, consider responsible investment factors in investment manager: (a) Selection, (b) Appointment (investment management agreements/contracts), and (c) Monitoring
Asset classes (a) Selection (b) Appointment (c) Monitoring
Private equity Selection Appointment Monitoring
SAM 02.2 Provide a brief description of how your organisation includes responsible investment considerations in your investment manager selection, appointment and monitoring processes.
As of December 2016, the Private Funds Group has €2.6 bn total assets under management in two private equity investment activities:
Primary activity (23% of total AUM): Idinvest Partners is a major player in this market segment. Thanks to its established presence on the industry, its reputation and capacity to make significant investments, Idinvest Partners enjoys privileged relationships with, and preferential access to, many high- quality European managers with top quartile performances. Secondary transactions (11% of total AUM): Idinvest Partners launched its secondary market strategy in 2003 in order to improve liquidity through better diversification of its investments. The secondary team uses its knowledge of the private equity market and presence on that market as a primary fund investor, to take advantage of secondary investment opportunities. Idinvest targets mature and largely invested portfolios, providing investors with quick distributions and considerably smoothing out the J-Curve effect that is typically observed in private equity investments.
There is no indirect investment in other asset classes.
Idinvest Partners works closely with more than 50 active General Partners (GPs) in its portfolios by maintaining an active dialogue on the importance of implementing additional ESG overlays in their operations. This lies at the core of Idinvest's belief and commitment that extra-financial criteria deserve careful consideration, from both a strategic and an operational perspective, since it offers a means both of creating value and of managing risks more effectively, which can add value when the investment is sold.
Within the context of its Responsible Private Equity (RPE) Policy (http://www.idinvest.com/pdf/Idinvest_ _Private_Equity_Policy.pdf), Idinvest Partners has set up its processes for formally incorporating the impacts and risks of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in its indirect investment portfolios (primary and secondary investments).
On a progressive basis since 2007, many GPs in the indirect private equity portfolios have been made aware of ESG issues. In 2007, in its Fiduciary role as a fund manager, Idinvest Partners began to include these concerns in its operations, with a view to increase ESG awareness in the funds of funds activity where the SRI vision of selected investee funds were assessed with the initial version of Idinvest's SRI questionnaire during the initial due diligence stage.
As a signatory to the UN-PRI since March 2011, Idinvest continuously improved the process to address ESG considerations throughout the life cycle of its indirect investments. The objective was to progressively optimize the incorporation of ESG issues into the investment processes. Consequently, in 2013, Idinvest updated the ESG process for the primary investments activity and secondary transactions complying with new French and European standards.
The Responsible Private Equity policy for indirect investments is systematically applied by the Primary and Secondary Funds' Partners for new investments according to a progressive operational approach that takes place pre and post-investment stage: firstly, through the analysis of the ESG risk profile of each of our investments followed by an adapted monitoring and required ESG reporting.
In 2016 Idinvest Partners reviewed its responsible investment process for indirect manager selection, appointment and monitoring. Several changes were implemented:
The selection process was lightly reviewed with an update of the tools used to assess the ESG risk profile established before investment as well as a review of the side letter sent systematically to the new GPs. The key step was undertaken by defining a follow-up questionnaire and sending it to 20 General Partners from our most recent investments. The
12 TRANSPARENCY answer rate was a 100%. It enabled a precise ESG reporting on how ESG factors are taken into account by our GPs. For instance, 57% of interrogated GPs are PRI signatories and 90% have a formalised ESG policy. For further details, please refer to our 2016 ESG Annual Report.
In 2017, the questionnaire was sent to 35 GPs.
SAM 05 Mandatory Core Assessed PRI 1
SAM 05.1 Indicate what RI-related information your organisation typically covers in the majority of selection documentation for your external managers
Private equity
Investment strategy and how ESG objectives relate to it Investment strategy and how ESG objectives relate to it - PE
ESG incorporation requirements ESG incorporation requirements - PE
ESG reporting requirements ESG reporting requirements - PE
Other Other - PE
No RI information covered in the RFPs No RI information covered in the RFPs - PE
SAM 05.2 Explain how your organisation evaluates the investment manager’s ability to align between your investment strategy and their investment approach
Strategy
Private equity
Assess the time horizon of the investment manager’s investment Assess the time horizon of the investment manager’s investment strategy strategy - PE
Assess the quality of investment policy and its reference to ESG Assess the quality of investment policy and its reference to ESG - PE
Assess the investment approach and how ESG objectives are Assess the investment approach and how ESG objectives are implemented in the investment process (asset class specific) implemented in the investment process (asset class specific) - PE
Assess the ESG definitions to be used Assess the ESG definitions to be used - PE
Other Other - PE
None of the above None of the above - PE
ESG people/oversight
Private equity
Assess ESG expertise of investment teams Assess ESG expertise of investment teams - PE
Review the ownership of the ESG implementation Review the ownership of the ESG implementation - PE
Review how is ESG implementation enforced /ensured Review how is ESG implementation enforced /ensured - PE
Other Other - PE
None of the above None of the above - PE
Process/portfolio construction/investment valuation
Private equity
Review the process ensuring the quality of the ESG data used Review the process ensuring the quality of the ESG data used - PE
Review and agree the investment decision making process (and ESG Review and agree the investment decision making process (and ESG data use in it) data use in it) - PE
Review and agree the ESG incorporation strategy impact of ESG Review and agree the ESG incorporation strategy impact of ESG analysis on investment decisions analysis on investment decisions - PE
Review and agree how the manager is targeting returns and ESG Review and agree how the manager is targeting returns and ESG objectives objectives - PE
Review and agree how the manager identifies, measures and manages Review and agree how the manager identifies, measures and manages ESG risk ESG risk - PE
Review and agree return and risk in combination at a portfolio level Review and agree return and risk in combination at a portfolio level (portfolio construction) and ESG objectives (portfolio construction) and ESG objectives - PE
Review how ESG materiality is evaluated by the manager in the Review how ESG materiality is evaluated by the manager in the monitored period monitored period - PE
Review process for defining and communicating on ESG incidents Review process for defining and communicating on ESG incidents - PE
13 TRANSPARENCY Other, specify Other, specify - PE
None of the above None of the above - PE
SAM 05.3 Describe the selection process
Review responses to RfP, RfI, DDQ etc.
Review Limited Partners' Responsible Investment Due Diligence Questionnaire (PE DDQ)
Review publicly available information
Review assurance process
Review PRI Transparency Reports
Request and discuss PRI Assessment Reports
Meetings with the potential shortlisted managers
Site visits to potential managers offices
Other, specify
SAM 05.4 When selecting external managers does your organisation set any of the following:
Private equity
ESG score ESG score - PE
ESG weight ESG weight - PE
Real world economy targets Real world economy targets - PE
Other RI considerations Other RI considerations - PE
None of the above None of the above - PE
If you select any 'Other' option(s), specify
Idinvest Partners has implemented different ESG steps within its indirect investment process which contributes to the selection of the GPs for primaries and secondaries investments.
Portfolio managers complete an ESG Profile Review for each new indirect investment, discussed during Investment Committee. It addresses three main criteria (see OPTIONAL section).
ESG risk level assessment of other LPs (Limited Partners) ESG risk level assessment of the GP (General Partner) ESG risk level assessment of the underlying assets (existing or considered)
This ESG Profile Review is based on the available documentation from the GPs and follows the sending of an external ESG questionnaire): the external ESG questionnaire launched in 2016 replaced the previous one defined in 2014 and aims at covering investments made since then. These questionnaires cover every aspect of the responsible investment commitments and the ESG practices implemented into the investment process by the GPs.
In 2016 Idinvest has undertaken to send the PRI-developed questionnaire “LP RI DDQ”. This questionnaire is not used in the due diligence process but in the monitoring one as it serves the collection of portfolios’ ESG performance.
SAM 07.1 Mandatory Core Assessed PRI 1
SAM 07.1 Indicate if in the majority of cases and where the structure of the product allows, your organisation does any of the following as part of the manager appointment
Sets standard or ESG benchmarks
Defines ESG objectives
Sets incentives and controls linked to the objectives
Requires reporting on these objectives
None of the above
None of the above, we invest only in pooled funds and have a thorough selection process
SAM 07.2-5 Mandatory Core Assessed PRI 1
SAM 07.2 Provide an example per asset class of your benchmarks, objectives, incentives/controls and reporting requirements that would typically be included in your managers’ appointment.
Asset class
Private equity
Benchmark
We do not set benchmarks
Objectives
Voting, specify
Engagement, specify
Integration, specify
14 TRANSPARENCY Investment restrictions, specify
Strategy, specify
Incentives and controls
We do not set incentives and controls
Reporting requirements
Ad-hoc/when requested
Annually
Bi-annually
Quarterly
Monthly
SAM 07.3 Explain how your organisation evaluates the reporting capacity of the manager to meet your reporting requirements during the selection process
Private equity
Agree upon ESG reporting requirements Agree upon ESG reporting requirements - PE
Review ESG reporting processes and capacity in place Review ESG reporting processes and capacity in place - PE
Agree processes for raising ad-hoc ESG issues Agree processes for raising ad-hoc ESG issues - PE
Other, specify Other, specify - PE
None of the above None of the above - PE
SAM 07.4 Explain which of these actions your organisation might take if any of the requirements are not met
Discuss requirements not met and set project plan to rectify
Review performance in more detail
Place investment manager on a “watch list”
Investigate reason for non-compliance
Require action plan from the manager
Negotiate fees
Failing all actions, terminate contract with the manager
Other, specify
No actions are taken if any of the requirements are not met
SAM 08 Mandatory Core Assessed PRI 1
SAM 08.1 When monitoring managers, indicate which of the following types of responsible investment information your organisation typically reviews and evaluates from the investment manager in meetings/calls
Private equity
ESG objectives linked to investment strategy ESG objectives linked to investment strategy - PE
Investment restrictions and any controversial investment decisions Investment restrictions and any controversial investment decisions - PE
ESG incorporation objectives (with examples) ESG incorporation objectives (with examples) - PE
ESG portfolio characteristics ESG portfolio characteristics - PE
How ESG materiality has been evaluated by the manager in the How ESG materiality has been evaluated by the manager in the monitored period monitored period - PE
Information on any ESG incidents Information on any ESG incidents - PE
Metrics on the real economy influence of the investments Metrics on the real economy influence of the investments - PE
PRI Transparency Reports PRI Transparency Reports - PE
PRI Assessment Reports PRI Assessment Reports - PE
Other general RI considerations in investment management Other general RI considerations in investment management agreements; agreements; specify specify - PE
None of the above None of the above - PE
SAM 08.2 When monitoring external managers, does your organisation set any of the following to measure compliance/progress
15 TRANSPARENCY Private equity
ESG score ESG score - PE
ESG weight ESG weight - PE
Real world economy targets Real world economy targets - PE
Other RI considerations Other RI considerations - PE
None of the above None of the above - PE
If you select any 'Other' option(s), specify
In 2016 a key step was undertaken by defining a follow-up questionnaire based on LP RI DDQ and sending it to 20 General Partners from our most recent investments. Among assessed criteria, we review:
1. SRI / ESG policy and commitments of the GP 2. Organisation & ESG reporting 3. Pre-investment stage: ESG due diligence 4. Ownership stage: ESG profile of the companies invested by the Fund 5. Exit stage 6. ESG analysis activity 7. ESG added value
For this questionnaire we based most of our questions on the LP RI- DDQ questionnaire. This enables GPs to systematise their answer process and to harmonise ESG questionnaires among the market place.
The answer rate was a 100%. It enabled a precise ESG reporting on how ESG factors are taken into account by our GPs. For instance, 57% of interrogated GPs are PRI signatories and 90% have a formalised ESG policy.
We intend to progressively expand the number of GPs interrogated, up to 35 in 2017.
SAM 11 Mandatory to Report, Voluntary to Disclose Descriptive PRI 1
SAM 11.1 Indicate approximately what percentage (+/- 5%) of your externally managed assets are managed by PRI signatories. Private
SAM 11.2 Describe how you ensure that best RI practice is applied to managing your assets Private
SAM 11.3 Additional information. [Optional] Private
SAM 12 Mandatory Additional Assessed PRI 1,6
SAM 12.1 Provide examples of how ESG issues have been addressed in the manager selection, appointment and/or monitoring process for your organisation during the reporting year.
Add Example 1
Topic or issue ESG Risk Profile
Conducted by Internal staff
Asset class Private equity
For all manager selction, the investment team conducts an ESG risk Profile described in the question 5.5.
It addresses three main criteria:
Scope and process ESG risk level assessment of other LPs (Limited Partners) ESG risk level assessment of the GP (General Partner) ESG risk level assessment of the underlying assets (existing or considered)
Outcomes There was no high risk identified among analyses managers.
Add Example 2
Add Example 3
Add Example 4
Add Example 5
We are not able to provide examples
SAM 12.2 Additional information.
Idinvest Partners has implemented different ESG steps within its indirect investment process which contributes to the selection of the GPs for primaries and secondaries investments.
Since 2013, the portfolio managers complete an ESG Profile Review for each new indirect investment, discussed during Investment Committee. It addresses three main criteria:
ESG risk level assessment of other LPs (Limited Partners) within the fund (PRI signatories, SRI charter, process, tools and monitoring, reputational risk and openness to ESG integration) ESG risk level assessment of the GP (General Partner): PRI signatory, reputational risk (governance, stability, engagement with portfolio companies, values, ESG integration) and analysis of the fund PPM, rules and reporting documentations (business sector exclusion, alert processes, etc.). ESG risk level assessment of the underlying assets (existing or considered) : business sectors, assessment of material ESG risks, relevant alerts
16 TRANSPARENCY regarding norms and international standards compliance controversies, and ESG assessment and monitoring.
This ESG Profile Review is based on the available documentation from the GPs and follows the sending of an external ESG questionnaire): the external ESG questionnaire launched in 2016 replaced the previous one defined in 2014 and aims at covering investments made since then. These questionnaires cover every aspect of the responsible investment commitments and the ESG practices implemented into the investment process by the GPs.
In 2016 Idinvest has undertaken to send the PRI-developed questionnaire “LP RI DDQ”. This questionnaire is not used in the due diligence process but in the monitoring one as it serves the collection of portfolios’ ESG performance.
SAM 13 Mandatory Core Assessed PRI 6
SAM 13.1 Indicate if your organisation proactively discloses any information about responsible investment considerations in your indirect investments.
Yes, we disclose information publicly http://www.idinvest.com/pdf/Idinvest_Responsible_Private_Equity_Policy.pdf
SAM 13.2 Indicate if the level of information you disclose to the public is the same as that disclosed to clients and/or beneficiaries.
Yes
No
SAM 13.3 Indicate what type of information your organisation proactively discloses to the public and clients and/or beneficiaries about your indirect investments.
Information Public Clients/beneficiaries
How responsible investment considerations are included in manager selection, appointment and monitoring processes Public Clients/beneficiaries
Details of the responsible investment activities carried out by managers on your behalf Public Clients/beneficiaries
E, S and/or G impacts and outcomes that have resulted from your managers' investments and active ownership Public Clients/beneficiaries
Other, specify below Public Clients/beneficiaries
If you select 'Other', specify
- Responsible Private Equity Policy (last version 2017), - Annual ESG Report (last version 2016), - RI Transparency Report (2016), - the UN-PRI Private Equity Case Studies 2013
Yes, we disclose information to clients/beneficiaries only
We do not proactively disclose information to the public and/or clients/beneficiaries
17 TRANSPARENCY FI 01 Mandatory to Report, Voluntary to Disclose Gateway General
FI 01.1 Provide a breakdown of your internally managed fixed income securities by active and passive strategies
Passive 0 Corporate (non- Active - quantitative (quant) financial) 0
Active - fundamental and active - other 100
FI 01.2 Additional information. [Optional]
Idinvest Partners established its direct lending activity (Private debt) in 2007 and in 2016 it reached € 2.6bn assets under management (35% of total assets under management). Through thee pillars (senior debt, direct lending and corporate loans) we support nearly 160 healthy European SMEs from diversified sectors and countries, with a buy and hold strategy.
Idinvest Partners invests in Private debt through several investment activities: direct lending, corporate debt, senior loan and asset finance. The target companies are SMEs with organic or external growth plans. In 2016, we financed 49 companies, raised € 550m and invested € 743m.
All our investments are based on active-fundamental strategies. Idinvest Partners Private Debt team believes that it is essential for investors to adapt to changing market conditions through a flexible investment strategy. This strategy focuses on the under-exploited small/mid-market, which requires fundamental research managed in-house.
Idinvest is well placed to access small and mid-market debt opportunities as the team believes that much of its deal flow is driven from Idinvest’s wide network of European GPs, banks and intermediaries.
FI 03 Mandatory to Report, Voluntary to Disclose Descriptive General
FI 03.2 Indicate the approximate (+/- 5%) breakdown of your corporate and securitised investments by investment grade or high-yield securities. Private
FI 03.3 Additional information. [Optional] Private
FI 04 Mandatory Gateway PRI 1
FI 04.1 Indicate 1) Which ESG incorporation strategy and/or combination of strategies you apply to your actively managed fixed income investments; and 2) The proportion (+/- 5%) of your total actively managed fixed income investments each strategy applies to.
Screening alone 0
Thematic alone 0
Integration alone 0
Screening + integration strategies Corporate 100 (non- financial) Thematic + integration strategies 0
Screening + thematic strategies 0
All three strategies combined 0
No incorporation strategies applied 0
FI 04.2 Describe your reasons for choosing a particular ESG incorporation strategy and how combinations of strategies are used.
Idinvest Partners’ Responsible Private Equity policy encompasses all its investments including direct fixed income / private debt. Id is based on the following principles:
Incorporate ESG issues into the investment strategy: addressing ESG issues throughout the investment lifecycle (acquisition, monitoring, reporting) with Idinvest Partners’ clients and adapting the policy Promote the identification of ESG issues by portfolio companies: this commitment focuses on investment funds and partner management companies. Idinvest Partners is committed to raising these financial actors’ awareness of ESG issues. It can only do so in proportion to the influence it has on governance bodies, which is largely dependent on the type of investments.
The company selection process is based on:
Exclusion filter is operated (regulatory exclusions). Specific E, S and G issues (e.g. climate change and remuneration) and how they will be dealt with (if required) are listed among investment by defining a ESG Risk Profile for each target. The ESG Risk profile is included in the Investment Memorandum and its presence is a key condition to validate the operation.
18 TRANSPARENCY This process is applied by all investment managers and controlled by the Chief Operating Officer in charge of compliance.
FI 04.3 Additional information [Optional].
Idinvest Partners’ Responsible Private Equity policy encompasses all its investments including direct fixed income / private debt. Idinvest Partners’ ESG investment policy is based on the following principles:
I) Incorporate ESG issues into the investment strategy: addressing ESG issues throughout the investment lifecycle (acquisition, monitoring, reporting) with Idinvest Partners’ clients and adapting the policy to:
The diversity of its activities (indirect private equity investment, direct capital investment and direct fixed income); The typology of the companies financed (start-ups and SMEs that are often not structured around these issues); Its level of influence on businesses (minority or debt investments).
II) Promote the identification of ESG issues by portfolio companies: this commitment focuses on investment funds and partner management companies. Idinvest Partners is committed to raising these financial actors’ awareness of ESG issues. It can only do so in proportion to the influence it has on governance bodies, which is largely dependent on the type of investments.
In particular, for direct fixed-income / private debt, Idinvest Partners is committed to assisting managers in identifying risks and opportunities related to environmental, social and governance issues and in applying business ethics principles. Managers will also benefit from learning of good practices seen in other portfolio companies. Idinvest Partners also wishes to maximize the ESG data production efforts made by the investment targets by working with other investment funds and partners of the deals by sharing (co-investors), centralising and harmonising the ESG data. Idinvest Partners supports in this aspect the reporting framework defined by the AFIC (French Association for Private Equity).
Processes are defined to deliver approach towards responsible investment and consideration of ESG issues.
Our Responsible Private Equity policy is applied according to a progressive operational approach in pre- and post-investment: in a first step through the analysis of the ESG risk profile review of each of our investments and, in a second step with an adapted monitoring. Furthermore, for all direct fixed income investments (private debt), an ESG indicator reporting is published and sent annually to all clients, showing the consolidated results. This reporting is also provided to all potential clients. The company selection process is based on the principles of Idinvest Partners’ responsible private equity policy, which are as follows:
Exclusion filter is operated (regulatory exclusions). Specific E, S and G issues (e.g. climate change and remuneration) and how they will be dealt with (if required) are listed among investment by defining a ESG Risk Profile for each target. The ESG Risk profile is included in the Investment Memorandum and its presence is a key condition to validate the operation. This process is applied by all investment managers and controlled by the Chief Operating Officer in charge of compliance.
The monitoring of portfolio companies is distinctly different, as Private Debt teams do not wield the same level of influence as an equity fund may exercise (only as an observer (non-voting member) in the portfolio companies’ governance bodies.
In 2016, the annual ESG report printed versions (recycled paper) was proactively sent to 1 200 person, among which 60% are clients and 40% of potential clients.
The information was relayed on social networks (LinkedIn and Facebook), following a flash information to the 1 200 persons.
FI 05 Mandatory to Report, Voluntary to Disclose Core Assessed PRI 1
FI 05.1 Indicate which ESG factors you systematically research as part of your analysis on issuers.
Corporate (non-financial)
Environmental data Corp.
Social data Corp.
Governance data Corp.
FI 05.2 Indicate what format your ESG information comes in and where you typically source it
Raw ESG company data
ESG research provider
Sell-side
In-house – specialised ESG analyst or team
In-house – FI analyst, PM or risk team
Other, specify
specify description
ESG Due diligence when in-house analysis has identified potential specific ESG risk
ESG factor specific analysis
Issuer-level ESG analysis
Sector-level ESG analysis
Country-level ESG analysis
FI 05.3 Provide a brief description of the ESG information used, highlighting any differences in sources of information across your ESG incorporation strategies.
We invest in private debt from private equity companies. This specific asset class is not covered by ESG research providers on a systematic basis.
ESG information can be gathered on the sell-side as well as directly from the company through its management, depending on the degree of interaction we have on the deal. Access to information is the only point which differs between our ESG incorporation strategies.
We do not have a dedicated ESG team but we have built a tool to be used by all the financial analysts and investment managers in their daily ESG process leading to investment decision. Our ESG Profile Review is based on three assessment criteria.
This review completed by the FI analyst will result in one of three ESG ratings, 'high', 'moderate' or 'low', for the prospective investment.
19 TRANSPARENCY If a new private debt investment is given a 'moderate' ESG risk rating or a current investment is involved in an ESG incident, Idinvest Partners will conduct enhanced ESG due diligence to obtain more detailed information. The ESG due diligence is mandated to an external ESG consulting firm to further assess the risk level and define with the Company an action plan.
FI 05.4 Additional information. [Optional]
The three assessment criteria used in the ESG Profile Review are:
1) The company's external shareholders (private equity firms),
2) The company's senior managers (share ownership, influence within governance bodies, knowledge of key ESG issues and risks, capacity to take action, etc.),
3) The company's business activities (regulatory exposure to Articles 225 and 75 of the French Grenelle 2 Act, degree of compliance with capital structure and governance organization criteria, and the risk exposure associated with the company's industry and its ESG practices).
This review completed by the FI analyst will result in one of three ESG ratings, 'high', 'moderate' or 'low', for the prospective investment. This ESG risk rating, which is discussed by Idinvest Partners' Investment Committee, will determine the investment decision and how closely the investment will be monitored (for example, if a new investment is attributed a 'high' ESG risk rating, it will be excluded, whereas enhanced ESG monitoring will be necessary if a company has a 'moderate' risk rating, has experienced an ESG incident or is requesting further investment).
If a new private debt investment is given a 'moderate' ESG risk rating or a current investment is involved in an ESG incident, Idinvest Partners will conduct enhanced ESG due diligence to obtain more detailed information in addition to the ones provided by the ESG Profile Review. The ESG due diligence is mandated to an external ESG consulting firm to further assess the risk level and define with the Company an action plan. This is only done on the final round of negotiations that is to say when we have a privilege access to the information from the management.
Having access to sector level ESG analysis, the ESG consulting firm can be of great help to Idinvest Partners as it can assess the risks and opportunities related to a particular industry sector. Indeed, the ESG consulting firm has a global overview on the best practices for each business sector and defines accordingly ESG materiality frameworks and assessment criteria. It gathers information from research agencies, specialised consulting firms (environment, social or governance) to come up with the most relevant output for us.
The completion of the ESG risk Profile review and its inclusion in the investment committee’s documentation is a key check point to validate the investment and, above all, to unlock the financing, under the responsibility of the Head of Internal Control in charge of Compliance.
In the event of any ESG topic is identified by the investment team while completing the ESG Profile Review, a dedicated budget is allocated to the conduction of an ESG due diligence, covering all ESG topics and emphasising on the elements which were questioned during the internal review.
FI 06 Mandatory Additional Assessed PRI 1
FI 06.1 Indicate how you ensure that your ESG research process is robust:
Issuers are given the opportunity by you or your research provider to review ESG research on them and correct inaccuracies
Issuer information and/or ESG ratings are updated regularly to ensure ESG research is accurate
Internal audits of ESG research are undertaken in a systematic way
ESG analysis is benchmarked for quality against other providers
Other, specify
None of the above
FI 06.2 Describe how your ESG information or analysis is shared among your investment team.
ESG information is held within a centralised database and is accessible to all investment staff
ESG information is a standard item on all individual issuer summaries, ‘tear sheets’, ‘dashboards’ or similar documents
Investment staff are required to discuss ESG information on issuers as a standard item during investment committee meetings
Records capture how ESG information and research was incorporated into investment decisions
Other, specify
None of the above
FI 06.3 Additional information. [Optional]
For all our direct fixed-income investments, an ESG risk profile is filled-in based on the standard questionnaire and according to available information:
The questionnaire emphasis mainly on governance aspects. The addressed topics are:
the shareholders and the other investors: weight in the capital, influence capacity over the management, strategic counselling capacity, partner on other deals, etc.), the Management: President and the CEO of the Company, Management Board and profiles of the managers (experience, awareness to ESG topics). the company’s activity: identification of ESG risks (employees, suppliers, controversies, reporting, etc.).
When we conduct in-house ESG analysis on the targets, the ESG profile is only reviewed internally by the investment team if the risk is assessed as medium or low. In that connection, if questions arise they are addressed to the management, either directly or through the sponsor equity, but the assessment is therefore not challenged.
All ESG information collected is centralised within our information system. The ESG risk profiles which are systematically inserted in the information memorandum are discussed during the investment committees.
The absence of the ESG risk profile prevents the fund from releasing. This process is supervised by the Chief Operating Officer in charge of Compliance.
FI 07 Mandatory Gateway PRI 1
FI 07.1 Indicate the type of screening you conduct.
Corporate (non-financial)
Negative/exclusionary screening Corp.
Positive/best-in-class screening Corp.
20 TRANSPARENCY Norms-based screening Corp.
FI 07.2 Describe your approach to screening for internally managed active fixed income
Idinvest Partners has committed to exclude certain sectors or activities that run high reputational risk or ESG risk, and to analyse other sectors considered to be sensitive.
This decision was taken by the four members of the ESG committee. The list of excluded industry sectors are reviewed on a yearly basis. In 2016 we conducted an overall review of our ESG processes and decided to renew the list of exclusions previously defined.
Idinvest Partners strictly excludes investing in pornography and arms dealing (including anti-personnel mines and cluster bombs).
Other sectors have been identified as “high ESG and/or reputational risk”. Idinvest Partners pays particular attention to its investments in these sectors and may commission a specific ESG audit to clarify any doubt in the areas of: agriculture, alcohol, chemicals, defence, forestry, gaming/gambling, mining, GMOs, fishery, oil and gas, energy production, cigarettes.
Lastly, some practices will also lead to exclusion: corruption, money laundering, human rights abuses, negative impact on local communities or indigenous populations, child labour, forced labour, undertakings in conflict areas.
FI 07.3 Additional information. [Optional]
Since the implementation of the ESG policy, Idinvest has always been very strict on the list of exclusions and remains vigilant to reputational and brand image risks which may arise in the course of its international development.
FI 08 Mandatory Descriptive PRI 1
FI 08.1 Indicate why you conduct negative screening.
Corporate (non-fin)
For legal reasons
For non-legal reasons
FI 08.2 Describe your approach to ESG-based negative screening of issuers from your investable universe.
Idinvest Partners has committed to exclude certain sectors or activities that run high reputational risk or ESG risk, and to analyse other sectors considered to be sensitive.
This decision was taken by the four members of the ESG committee. The list of excluded industry sectors are reviewed on a yearly basis. In 2016 we conducted an overall review of our ESG processes and decided to renew the list of exclusions previously defined.
Idinvest Partners strictly excludes investing in pornography and arms dealing (including anti-personnel mines and cluster bombs).
Other sectors have been identified as “high ESG and/or reputational risk”. Idinvest Partners pays particular attention to its investments in these sectors and may commission a specific ESG audit to clarify any doubt in the areas of: agriculture, alcohol, chemicals, defence, forestry, gaming/gambling, mining, GMOs, fishery, oil and gas, energy production, cigarettes.
Lastly, some practices will also lead to exclusion: corruption, money laundering, human rights abuses, negative impact on local communities or indigenous populations, child labour, forced labour, undertakings in conflict areas.
FI 09 Voluntary Additional Assessed PRI 1
FI 09.1 Provide examples of how ESG factors are included in your screening criteria. Private
FI 09.2 Additional information. Private
FI 10 Mandatory Core Assessed PRI 1
FI 10.1 Indicate which systems your organisation has to ensure that fund screening criteria are not breached in fixed income investments.
Type of screening Checks
Checks are performed to ensure that issuers meet screening criteria
Data used for the screening criteria is updated at least every 2 years
Automated IT systems prevent our portfolio managers from investing in excluded issuers or bonds that do not meet screening criteria
Negative/exclusionary Audits of fund holdings are undertaken regularly by internal audit or compliance functions screening? Other, specify
other description
The ESG Committee checks twice a year the application of exclusion criteria
None of the above
21 TRANSPARENCY Checks are performed to ensure that issuers meet screening criteria
Data used for the screening criteria is updated at least every 2 years
Automated IT systems prevent our portfolio managers from investing in excluded issuers or bonds that do not meet screening criteria
Norms-based Audits of fund holdings are undertaken regularly by internal audit or compliance functions screening Other, specify
other description
The ESG Committee checks twice a year the application of exclusion criteria
None of the above
FI 10.2 Additional information. [Optional]
Firstly, during the weekly meetings, investment targets and investment operations are reviewed by all investment team members. A first filter is operated based on activity and business sector analysis. If no one raises a red flag, the target deal enters a due diligence process.
Then a second check is operated based on the ESG Risk Profile Review which is integrated in the information memorandum and presented during the Investment committee to all members, including the Head of Internal Control in charge of Compliance.
If questions arise, depending on the seriousness of the ESG risk level (“high”, “medium” of “low”) the investment company can be placed under an ESG due diligence (as previously presented in question 5.3) or on the weekly committee “watch list”. Its activity will accordingly be frequently monitored and discussions with the management will be engaged to mitigate the risk.
FI 14 Mandatory Descriptive PRI 1
FI 14.1 Describe your approach to integrating ESG into traditional financial analysis.
Processes in place to deliver approach towards responsible investment and consideration of ESG issues, both during pre- and post- investment (including exits)
For its direct fixed-income investments, Idinvest Partners has determined several steps of ESG incorporation that are implemented all along the investment life cycle as required by the assessed level of ESG risk. The first step - on which the decision to invest and to implement the subsequent steps will depend on to implement an active monitoring and dialog with the companies - is our ESG Profile Review of the investment in pre-investment stage.
Consequently :
Idinvest Partners has an ESG due diligence procedure prior to investing in or lending to any company in any of its investment dealings.
the incorporation of ESG issues in the pre-investment stage is equally applied for all our investments according to our Responsible Private Equity (RPE) policy and on the basis of a structured process that impacts positively or negatively our investment decision.
during the due-diligence, Idinvest Partners realizes the ESG profile review of the investment, based on available documentation such as sell-side information, and on a questionnaire that can be sent or filled during a meeting with the company. This questionnaire has integrated core questions on the identification of the Company's ESG issues (risks and opportunities), if it is aware of those issues and its capacity to manage and/or mitigate the related risks.
In pre-investment stage, Idinvest Partners identify the main ESG issues of the company according to the features of its sectors, its size and its growth potential during all the life cycle of the investment, the leaders' career path, the risk related to the direct or indirect development of its activities in emerging countries.
Our ESG Profile Review is based on the following three assessment criteria:
1) The company's external shareholders (private equity firms),
2) The company's senior managers (share ownership, influence within governance bodies, knowledge of key ESG issues and risks, capacity to take action, etc.),
3) The company's business activities (regulatory exposure to Articles 225 and 75 of the French Grenelle 2 Act, degree of compliance with capital structure and governance organization criteria, and the risk exposure associated with the company's industry and its ESG practices).
This review will result in one of three ESG ratings, 'high', 'moderate' or 'low', for the prospective investment. This ESG risk rating, which is discussed by Idinvest Partners' Investment Committee, will determine the investment decision and how closely the investment will be monitored (for example, if a new investment is attributed a 'high' ESG risk rating, it will be excluded, whereas enhanced ESG monitoring will be necessary if a company has a 'moderate' risk rating, has experienced an ESG incident or is requesting further investment).
FI 14.2 Describe how your ESG integration approach is adapted to each of the different types of fixed income you invest in.
Corporate (non-financial)
Described above as it is the only one we have for direct fixed-income investments.
FI 15 Mandatory Core Assessed PRI 1
FI 15.1 Indicate how ESG information is typically used as part of your investment process.
Corporate (non-financial)
ESG analysis is integrated into fundamental analysis Corp.
ESG analysis is integrated into security weighting decisions Corp.
ESG analysis is integrated into portfolio construction decisions Corp.
ESG analysis is a standard part of internal credit ratings or assessment Corp.
ESG analysis for issuers is a standard agenda item at investment committee meetings Corp.
22 TRANSPARENCY ESG analysis is regularly featured in internal research notes or similar Corp.
ESG analysis is a standard feature of ongoing portfolio monitoring Corp.
ESG analysis features in all internal issuer summaries or similar documents Corp.
Other, specify Corp.
FI 15.2 Additional information [OPTIONAL]
As presented in all our PPMs, ESG information is typically used as part of our investment process, from selection and monitoring to exit. Indeed we detail the list of the sectors from our exclusion policy as well as the activities we have identified as having high ESG risks for which in-depth ESG analysis are required (ESG due-diligences).
For each step of our ESG pre-investment process (including pre-closing), we detail in the PPMs the impacts in terms of content and additional information which will be included in the documentation such as the investment committee minutes, Letter Of Intent or in the Shareholders’ Agreement.
The post-investment steps are detailed. They state the official position taken by Idinvest Partners in favour of the inclusion of ESG issues on the agenda of the Company’s meetings (annual meeting, Board or Supervisory Board). They also address the ESG reporting control and contribution to the ESG Annual Report.
FI 16 Mandatory Additional Assessed PRI 1
FI 16.1 Indicate the extent to which ESG issues are reviewed in your integration process.
Environment Social Governance
Environmental Social Governance Corporate Systematically Systematically Systematically (non- financial) Occasionally Occasionally Occasionally
Not at all Not at all Not at all
FI 16.2 Please provide more detail on how you review E, S and G factors in your integration process.
Corporate (non-financial)
Our ESG Profile Review is based on the following three assessment criteria:
1) The company's external shareholders (private equity firms),
2) The company's senior managers (share ownership, influence within governance bodies, knowledge of key ESG issues and risks, capacity to take action, etc.),
3) The company's business activities (regulatory exposure to Articles 225 and 75 of the French Grenelle 2 Act, degree of compliance with capital structure and governance organization criteria, and the environmental and social risk exposure associated with the company's industry and its ESG practices).
FI 18 Mandatory to Report, Voluntary to Disclose Core Assessed PRI 2
FI 18.1 Indicate if you engage on your fixed income assets. Please exclude any engagements carried out solely in your capacity as a shareholder. Private
FI 18.3 Additional information.[OPTIONAL] Private
FI 19 Mandatory to Report, Voluntary to Disclose Additional Assessed PRI 1,2
FI 19.1 Indicate how you typically engage with issuers as a fixed income investor, or as both a fixed income and listed equity investor. (Please do not include engagements where you are both a bondholder and shareholder but engage as a listed equity investor only.) Private
FI 19.2 Indicate how your organisation prioritises engagements with issuers Private
If ‘other’ has been selected, please give a description Private
FI 19.3 Indicate when your organisation conducts engagements with issuers. Private
If ‘other’ has been selected, please give a description Private
FI 19.4 Indicate how your organisation conducts engagements with issuers. Private
If ‘other’ has been selected, please give a description Private
FI 19.5 Indicate what your organisation conducts engagements with issuers on. Private
23 TRANSPARENCY If ‘other’ has been selected, please give a description Private
FI 19.6 Indicate how your organisation shares the outcomes of the engagements internally. Private
If ‘other’ has been selected, please give a description Private
FI 19.7 Additional information.[OPTIONAL] Private
FI 20 Mandatory to Report, Voluntary to Disclose Additional Assessed PRI 1,2
FI 20.1 Indicate if your publicly available policy documents explicitly refer to fixed income engagement separately from engagements in relation to other asset classes.
Yes
No
FI 20.3 Additional information [OPTIONAL]
We published our Responsible Private Equity Policy in September 2016. It addresses all our commitments and processes regarding the management of ESG factors in our investments activities as well as our CSR policy.
http://www.idinvest.com/pdf/Idinvest_Responsible_Private_Equity_Policy.pdf
Within our ESG Annual report, you can find information on the performance achieved during the year.
As for Direct Fixed-Income/Private debt, we published the results of the ESG monitoring questionnaires since 2014. In 2016, they were sent to 63 portfolio companies with a response rate of 25%, a 2-point increase compared with 2014.
In 2016, the annual ESG report printed versions (recycled paper) was proactively sent to 1 200 persons, among which 60% are clients and 40% of potential clients.
The information was relayed on social networks (LinkedIn), following a flash information to the 1 200 persons.
Other ESG information regarding our ESG processes are integrated into the PPMs and disclosed only to clients.
We also systematically answer client’s ESG questionnaires on our investment activities. We are solicited several times a year.
FI 21 Mandatory to Report, Voluntary to Disclose Additional Assessed General
FI 21.1 Indicate whether your organisation measures how your incorporation of ESG analysis in fixed income has affected investment outcomes and/or ESG performance. Private
FI 21.2 Describe how your organisation measures how your incorporation of ESG analysis in fixed income has affected investment outcomes and/or ESG performance. [OPTIONAL] Private
FI 21.3 Additional information.[OPTIONAL] Private
FI 22 Voluntary Descriptive PRI 1,2
FI 22.1 Provide examples of how your incorporation of ESG analysis and/or your engagement of issuers has affected your fixed income investment outcomes during the reporting year. Private
FI 22.2 Additional information. Private
FI 23 Mandatory Core Assessed PRI 2,6
FI 23.1 Indicate if your organisation proactively discloses information on your approach to RI across all of your fixed income investments.
We disclose it publicly http://www.idinvest.com/pdf/Idinvest_Responsible_Private_Equity_Policy.pdfhttp://www.idinvest.com/pdf/rapport_esg_2016.pdf
FI 23.2 Indicate if the information disclosed to the public is the same as that disclosed to clients/beneficiaries.
Yes
FI 23.3 Indicate the information your organisation proactively discloses to the public regarding your approach to RI incorporation.
Broad approach to RI incorporation
Detailed explanation of RI incorporation strategy used
FI 23.4 Indicate how frequently you typically report this information.
Quarterly or more frequently
Biannually
Annually
Less frequently than annually
24 TRANSPARENCY Ad-hoc/when requested
No
We do not proactively disclose it to the public and/or clients/beneficiaries
FI 23.7 Additional information. [Optional]
The main ESG information we publicly report are through the ESG annual report and the ESG policy. Both are communicated to the public and investors for whom we proactively send the annual report. For investors, detailed information can be shared on a case by case, in particular in mandates – for which Investments committees address ESG topics if necessary or if requested.
The ESG annual report details ESG management at investment activity level (Direct Private Equity/Capital growth, Direct Fixed-Income/Private debt and Indirect Manager Selection / primary and secondary investments) with one ESG case (example) at company / manager selection level.
As for Direct Fixed-Income/Private debt, we published the results of the ESG monitoring questionnaires since 2014. In 2016, they were sent to 63 portfolio companies with a response rate of 25%, a 2-point increase compared with 2014.
In 2016, the annual ESG report printed versions (recycled paper) was proactively sent to 1 200 persons, among which 60% are clients and 40% of potential clients.
The information was relayed on social networks (LinkedIn), following a flash information to the 1 200 persons.
25 TRANSPARENCY PE 01 Mandatory to Report, Voluntary to Disclose Descriptive General
PE 01.1 Provide a breakdown of your organisation’s internally managed private equity investments by investment strategy. Private
PE 01.2 Additional information. [Optional] Private
PE 02 Mandatory to Report, Voluntary to Disclose Descriptive General
PE 02.1 Indicate the level of ownership you typically hold in your private equity investments.
a majority stake (>50%)
50% stake
a significant minority stake (between 10-50%)
a minority stake (<10%)
a mix of ownership stakes
PE 02.2 Additional information. [Optional]
As a significant minority shareholder in the framework of its direct private equity investments, Idinvest Partners has a capacity for advice and real leverage with its investees to give them support in their operational and strategic thinking. It should be noted that Idinvest Partners seats in the Board of more than 80% of the companies in the portfolio.
PE 03 Voluntary Descriptive PRI 1-6
PE 03.1 Provide a brief overview of your organisation’s approach to responsible investment in private equity.
Idinvest Partners' Growth capital activity reached € 2.3bn assets under management in 2016 (30% of total assets under management). We invest in companies with very high growth potential, particularly in digital, healthcare and cleantech sectors (energies and cities).
Our approach to responsible investment policy in private equity follows the same principles as in other asset classes.
Idinvest Partners’ Responsible Private Equity policy is based on four commitments, each of which addressing one or several of these stakeholders:
I) Incorporate ESG issues into the investment strategy: addressing ESG issues throughout the investment lifecycle (acquisition, monitoring, reporting) with Idinvest Partners’ clients and adapting the policy to:
The diversity of its activities (indirect private equity investment, direct capital investment); The typology of the companies financed (start-ups and SMEs that are often not structured around these issues, from specific sectors); Its level of influence on businesses (minority investments).
II) Promote the identification of ESG issues by portfolio companies: this commitment focuses on investment funds and partner management companies. Idinvest Partners is committed to raising these financial actors’ awareness of ESG issues. It can only do so in proportion to the influence it has on governance bodies, which is largely dependent on the type of investment. In particular, Idinvest Partners is committed in:
Fully and actively exercising its responsibility by participating in the representative bodies of the companies in which it has invested and being actively involved wherever its interests or those of its clients need to be represented. Assisting managers in identifying risks and opportunities related to environmental, social and governance issues and in applying business ethics principles. Managers will also benefit from learning of good practices seen in other portfolio companies.
III) Fight against climate change and continue efforts in favour of energy transition: Idinvest Partners’ third commitment is based on protecting the environment with particular focus on the greatest issue facing the 21st Century in this area: climate change. As a responsible investor, Idinvest Partners is aware of the role the financial sector has to play in raising awareness among actors of the real economy facing challenges related to climate change. In particular, Idinvest Partners is committed in:
Supporting cleantech entrepreneurs by investing in projects with strong environmental added value, particularly those that favour an energy transition: renewable energy, energy efficiency, smart grids, smart buildings, eco-mobility, etc. Measuring investments’ exposure to climate risks, by identifying their impact on the climate and providing investors with the results in accordance with regulatory obligations.
IV) Set an Example: Idinvest Partners is aware of the importance of setting an example and has defined a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy accordingly with an approach to better address stakeholders’ expectations.
PE 04 Mandatory Core Assessed PRI 2
PE 04.1 Indicate if your organisation’s investment guidelines for private equity refer to responsible investment.
Our investment guidelines do refer to responsible investment
PE 04.2 Describe how your organisation’s investment guidelines outline your expectations on staff and portfolio companies’ approach towards ESG issues [Optional].
Our Responsible Private Equity (RPE) policy covers all our investment but is implemented progressively: indeed, our policy is implemented systematically to every new investment and according to a progressive schedule for our existing investments in order to cover them rigorously.
To effectively support the deployment of its Responsible Private Equity Policy and ultimately its ESG processes, Idinvest Partners has strengthened its internal organization applicable to all investment partners by:
Incorporating ESG issues in its current governance bodies.
Forming an RPE/ESG Steering Group, in early 2012, to monitor and lead Idinvest Partners' Responsible Private Equity policy.
Request for ESG reporting from portfolio companies
ESG incident process
ESG audit rights required in Shareholders's Agreements
Besides, all our employees are made aware of Idinvest Partners' Responsible Private Equity Policy, at the annual seminar to which all employees are invited.
26 TRANSPARENCY We expect our staff and portfolio companies to follow our ESG process which is applied in a first step through the review of the ESG risk profile of each of our investments, in a second step with an adapted monitoring according to the level of ESG risk and, for all, through an annual ESG questionnaire to report key indicators.
Our investment guidelines do not refer to responsible investment
We do not have investment guidelines
PE 05 Mandatory Core Assessed PRI 1,4,6
PE 05.1 Indicate if your most recent fund placement documents (private placement memorandums (PPMs) or similar) refer to responsible investment aspects of your organisation.
Yes
PE 05.2 Indicate how your fund placement documents (PPMs or similar) refer to the following responsible investment aspects of your organisation:
Policy and commitment to responsible investment
Approach to ESG issues in pre-investment processes
Approach to ESG issues in post-investment processes
PE 05.3 Describe how your organisation refers to responsible investment in fund placement documents (PPMs or similar). [Optional]
Idinvest Partners has raised € 896M in direct Private Equity in 2016. Split as €440 M in Venture and €456M in Growth capital, primaries and secondaries. Compared to 2015, we have increased by nearly 30% the fund managed in venture capital and by more than 10% the funds managed under Growth primaries and secondaries.
A text describing our Private Equity Responsible Investment policy is included in all our PPMs. We refer to our signature of the PRI as an introduction to this ESG approach. It then explains our various commitments and the level of implication we expect from the portfolio companies.
The entire ESG process is presented, froml selection to exit. Indeed we included in our PPMs a list of the sectors from our exclusion policy as well as the activities we have identified as having high ESG risks for which in-depth ESG analysis are required (ESG due-diligences).
For each step of our ESG pre-investment process (including pre-closing), we detail in the PPMs the impacts in terms of content and additional information which will be included in the documentation such as the investment committee minutes, Letter Of Intent or in the Shareholders’ Agreement.
The post-investment steps are detailed. They state the official position taken by Idinvest Partners in favour of the inclusion of ESG issues on the agenda of the Company’s meetings (annual meeting, Board or Supervisory Board). They also address the ESG reporting control and contribution to the ESG Annual Report.
The overall process is presented on a chart, inserted in the PPMs.
No
Not applicable as our organisation does not fundraise
PE 06 Voluntary Additional Assessed PRI 4
PE 06.1 Indicate whether your organisation makes formal commitments in fund formation contracts, Limited Partnership Agreements (LPAs) or in side letters relating to responsible investment when requested by clients.
We always make formal commitments to responsible investment in fund formation contracts, LPAs or side letters
In a majority of cases we make formal commitments to responsible investment in fund formation contracts, LPAs or side letters
In a minority of cases we make formal commitments to responsible investment in fund formation contracts, LPAs or side letters
We do not make formal commitments to responsible investment in fund formation contracts, LPAs or side letters
We do not make formal commitments to responsible investment in fund formation contracts, LPAs or side letters because our clients do not request us to do so.
PE 06.2 Additional information.
Description of our organisation's responsible investment commitments
In 2016, Idinvest Partners reviewed its ESG policy and management system to incorporate rising concerns on climate change for instance, better link the policy with clients’ and society’s expectations as well as the evolution of Idinvest Partners’ activities. It is now based on four principles, one per key stakeholder: i) Clients, ii) Fellow investors (GPs, sponsors), iii) Target and portfolio companies and their managers and finally iv) Our own employees and civil society in the frame of our CSR policy.
A new version of the ESG policy (Responsible Private Equity Policy) was publicly edited in 2016.
Adoption and alignment of policies between GP and LP in relation to responsible investment and ESG issues
During the life cycle of the fund, Idinvest Partners built up an interactive and continuous business relationship with the LPs related to the management of the fund. The ESG concerns are integrated into the concerted dialogue with our LPs, for instance for the adoption of new ESG indicators monitored or to inform them of an ESG incident on a portfolio company and the reinforced monitoring and action plan that is put in place.
Exclusion of investments in certain areas either based on a GP's/manager's own suggestion or in accordance with the LPs preferences
Under its Responsible Private Equity Policy, Idinvest Partners has set forth 4 basic principles (see PE 03.1) which guide its responsible investment approach as an overall set of objectives. Among them, Idinvest Partners defines strict guidelines for exclusion and enhanced monitoring in connection with extra- financial risks: consequently, Idinvest Partners' investment sourcing process includes two types of exclusion criteria: 1) companies with business activities that carry high reputational risk, and 2) companies with business activities that carry high ESG risk. The sectors and risky practices are listed in our RPE Policy available on our website.
On the demand of the LPs invested in our funds and in cooperation with them, we can revise prohibited sectors in the investment guidelines of the relevant fund. We can also state specific concerns in a side letter with the LP.
Processes in place to deliver approach towards responsible investment and consideration of ESG issues, both during pre- and post- investment (including exits)
Our Responsible Private Equity process is composed of the following aspects: in a first step through the analysis of the ESG risk profile of each of our
27 TRANSPARENCY investments and, in a second step with an adapted monitoring. Furthermore, for all direct Private Equity investments, ESG indicators collected are consolidated and reported within the ESG annual report spread to existing and potential clients. It is also publicly available.
Listing of specific E, S and G issues:
Governance:
Organisation of powers and counter-parts, independence of the members, influence of shareholders, Transparent and effective corporate governance (review the minutes of all Boards and General Meetings), forward-looking management, Professional and business ethics, data confidentiality.
Social:
Review of all labor contracts to make sure they are compliant with applicable laws, litigations, Employees considered to be the company’s most precious asset: promotion of labor-management dialog, retaining high quality staff and compensation policy (incentives, stocks options,.. ), Social and relations with stakeholder: partnering with customers and suppliers, taking into consideration how our activity affects our stakeholders (individuals and communities, the natural environment)
Environment:
Using resources in a sustainable manner (water, energy,…) with eco-conception and eco-certification if possible Reducing adverse impacts on the environment and seeing how this risk is covered Idinvest Partners manages Cleantech investments aimed at promoting the reduction of adverse impacts on environment
How our reporting on ESG issues is carried out during the life of the fund(s) ?
In 2014, to ensure that our direct investments observe our ESG processes, we set up our first reporting system for our portfolio investments that provides ESG information based on targeted ESG performance indicators. This first ESG reporting exercise gave a preliminary vision the ESG impacts of our investments. Since then, new and more detailed indicators are integrated each year, in compliance with the AFIC's recommendations and the key ESG criteria our Investment Managers identify when they prepare the ESG Profile Review of prospective investments during the due-diligence phase (or in response to a call for re-investment).
In 2016, the ESG questionnaire on which the annual report is based was upgraded with new questions on the following ESG topics to better align with LPs’ and civil society’s expectations:
we added questions on the business sector and on the type of buildings occupied so as to ease the carbon footprint estimation process if needed, but also directly asked if the Company had conducted a carbon footprint assessment; we also added questions on the management of water and waste; a question on the management of ethics was added;
The results of this new questionnaire campaign will be presented in the 2017 Annual ESG report published in July 2017.
Furthermore, an ESG Questionnaire to assess GPs’ performance was established and circulated to 20 GPs in 2016. The answer rate was 100% and we will expand the 2016 campaign to 35 GPs.
ESG investment processes were updated to include these changes.
Communication to investors of potential incidents among portfolio companies
If a current investment is involved in an ESG incident, Idinvest Partners launches a traceable procedure and will conduct enhanced ESG due diligence to obtain more detailed information in addition to that provided by the ESG Profile Review. Moreover, we inform our LPs in a reasonable delay of the nature of the incident and the rigorous follow up put in place. During 3 to 6 months, Idinvest organises a close monitoring of the company related to its management of the situation.
For additional information, please note that Idinvest Partners' formal commitments to responsible investments in private equity have been described in the Overarching Approach module.
PE 07 Mandatory Gateway PRI 1
PE 07.1 During due-diligence indicate if your organisation typically incorporates ESG issues when selecting private equity investments.
Yes
PE 07.2 Describe your organisation's approach to incorporating ESG issues in private equity investment selection.
For its direct private equity investments, Idinvest Partners has determined several steps of that are implemented all along the investment life cycle as required by the assessed level of ESG risk. The first step - on which the decision to invest and to implement the subsequent steps will depend to implement an active monitoring and dialog with the companies- is our ESG Profile Review of the investment in pre-investment stage.
Consequently:
Idinvest Partners has an ESG due diligence procedure prior to investing in or lending to any company in any of its investment dealings.
the incorporation of ESG issues in the pre-investment stage is equally applied for all our investments according to our RPE policy and on the basis of a structured process that impacts positively or negatively our investment decision.
during the due-diligence, Idinvest Partners realizes the ESG profile review of the investment, based on available documentation and on a questionnaire that can be sent or filled during a meeting with the company. This questionnaire has integrated core questions on the identification of the Company's ESG issues (risks and opportunities), if it is aware of those issues and its capacity to manage and/or mitigate the related risks.
In pre-investment stage, Idinvest Partners identify the main ESG issues of the company according to the features of its sectors, its size and its growth potential during all the life cycle of the investment, the leaders' career path, the risk related to the direct or indirect development of its activities in emerging countries.
Our ESG Profile Review is based on the following three assessment criteria:
1) The company's external shareholders (private equity firms),
2) The company's senior managers (share ownership, influence within governance bodies, knowledge of key ESG issues and risks, capacity to take action, etc.),
3) The company's business activities (regulatory exposure to Articles 225 and 75 of the French Grenelle 2 Act, degree of compliance with capital structure and governance organization criteria, and the risk exposure associated with the company's industry and its ESG practices).
This review will result in one of three ESG ratings, 'high', 'moderate' or 'low', for the prospective investment. This ESG risk rating, which is discussed by Idinvest Partners' Investment Committee, will determine the investment decision and how closely the investment will be monitored (for example, if a new investment is attributed a 'high' ESG risk rating, it will be excluded, whereas enhanced ESG monitoring will be necessary if a company has a 'moderate' risk rating, has experienced an ESG incident or is requesting further investment).
28 TRANSPARENCY If a new investment is given a 'moderate' ESG risk rating or a current investment is involved in an ESG incident, Idinvest Partners will conduct enhanced ESG due diligence to obtain more detailed information in addition to that provided by the ESG Profile Review. This questionnaire is filled out by an auditing firm during the accounting, technical and legal audits performed prior to investment (or post-investment in the event of an ESG incident).
Having access to sector level ESG analysis, the ESG consulting firm can be of great help to Idinvest Partners as it can assess the risks and opportunities related to a particular industry sector. Indeed, the ESG consulting firm has a global overview on the best practices for each business sector and defines accordingly ESG materiality frameworks and assessment criteria. It gathers information from research agencies, specialised consulting firms (environment, social or governance) to come up with the most relevant output for us.
The completion of the ESG risk Profile review and its inclusion in the investment committee’s documentation is a key check point to validate the investment and, above all, to unlock the financing, under the responsibility of the Head of Internal Control in charge of Compliance.
No
PE 08 Mandatory Core Assessed PRI 1,3
PE 8.1 Indicate what type of ESG information your organisation typically considers during your private equity investment selection process.
Raw data from target company
Benchmarks against other companies
Sector level data/benchmarks
Country level data/benchmarks
Reporting standards, industry codes and certifications
International initiatives, declarations or standards
Engagements with stakeholders (e.g. customers and suppliers)
Advice from external resources
Other, specify
We do not track this information
PE 8.2 Describe how this information is reported to, considered and documented by the Investment Committee or similar.
Before the investment committee, the partner in charge of analysing the Company carries out an ESG review which is discussed during the investment committee. If needed, in-depth analysis are conducted (social or environmental due diligence). These elements are included in the overall ESG risk analysis by the partners and then analysed during the investment committee. The ESG risk and due diligence synthesis if relevant are inserted within the last pages of the information memorandum. The completion of the ESG risk Profile review and its inclusion in the investment committee’s documentation is a key check point to validate the investment and, above all, to unlock the financing, under the responsibility of the Head of Internal Control in charge of Compliance. Sources for ESG issues are ILO (International Labour Organisation), UN-Global Compact, Global Reporting Initiative, OECD Guidelines, United Nations conventions against corruption, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and, World Check Database Idinvest Partners keeps records of ESG information considered in the investment selection process.
PE 09 Voluntary Additional Assessed PRI 1,2
PE 9.1 During deal structuring, indicate if your organisation typically encourages continuous improvements from potential investees with regard to their management of ESG issues. Private
PE 9.3 Additional information. Private
PE 10 Voluntary Additional Assessed PRI 1
PE 10.1 Indicate how ESG issues impacted your private equity investment selection processes during the reporting year. Private
PE 10.2 Indicate how ESG issues impacted your private equity investment deal structuring processes during the reporting year. Private
PE 10.3 Additional information. Private
PE 11 Mandatory Gateway/Core Assessed PRI 2
PE 11.1 Indicate whether your organisation incorporates ESG issues in investment monitoring of portfolio companies.
Yes
PE 11.2 Indicate the proportion of portfolio companies where your organisation included ESG performance in investment monitoring during the reporting year.
>90% of portfolio companies
51-90% of portfolio companies
10-50% of portfolio companies
<10% of portfolio companies
PE 11.3 Indicate ESG issues for which your organisation typically sets and monitors targets (KPIs or similar) and provide examples per issue.
Environmental
29 TRANSPARENCY Issue : Environmental footprint reduction KPI monitored : Existence of environmental initiatives Issue : Reputation and financial risk associated with poor environmental management KPI monitored: Number of environmental litigations Issue: Climate change KPI monitored: Carbon footprint assessment Social Issue : Retaining high quality staff and compensation policy KPI monitored: Incentive scheme giving all employees a share of profits (including participation and shareholding schemes) Issue : Social cohesion, well-being at work and promotion of social dialogue KPI: Major social issues or new litigation (eg. discrimination claims, strikes, …) Issue : Positive impact of the company and contribution to the job creation KPI: Net job creation Governance Issue : Capital Structure and organisation of the corporate governance. Board's independence KPI : Proportion of independent directors among Board of Directors or Supervisory Board members Issue : Board diversity KPI : Proportion of women among Board members (Board of Directors or Supervisory Board members) Issue : Management of ethics KPI : implementation and broadcast of an Code of Conduct We do not set and/or monitor against targets
No
PE 11.4 Additional information. [Optional]
Our approach to monitor ESG issues is continuous during all the life cycle of the investment but it can vary according to the level of influence we can have in the company linked to the level of our ownership, and for the existing portfolio companies if we still invest for more than two years.
Those ESG issues mentioned above are the minimum standard we take into account to dialogue with a company. We go deeper in our ESG monitoring on a variable way according to the own features and the level of risk exposure of the sector in which the targeted company evolves, the size of the company and its level of development.
In 2014, we set up our first reporting system for our portfolio investments that provides ESG information based on targeted ESG performance indicators. New and more detailed indicators were integrated in compliance with AFIC's recommendations. In 2016 when we added 9 indicators (from 22 to 31 questions). The overall result of this ESG reporting is disclosed in our Annual ESG Report, available on our website.
In 2016, an ESG due diligence (pre-investment) was carried out by ERM for a company in the food sector.
PE 12 Mandatory Core Assessed PRI 2
PE 12.1 Indicate if your organisation tracks the proportion of your portfolio companies that have an ESG/sustainability-related policy (or similar guidelines).
Yes
PE 12.2 Indicate what percentage of your portfolio companies has an ESG/sustainability policy (or similar guidelines).
>90% of portfolio companies
51-90% of portfolio companies
10-50% of portfolio companies
<10% of portfolio companies
0% of portfolio companies
No
PE 12.3 Additional information. [Optional]
Since the launch of the second edition of our ESG reporting framework in February 2015 (on the 2014 exercise), we have added new KPIs to track the percentage of our portfolio companies with an ESG/sustainability policy.
In 2016, the ESG questionnaire on which the annual report is based was upgraded with new questions on the following ESG topics to better align with LPs’ and civil society’s expectations:
we added questions on the business sector and on the type of buildings occupied so as to ease the carbon footprint estimation process if needed, but also directly asked if the Company had conducted a carbon footprint assessment; we also added questions on the management of water and waste; a question on the management of ethics was added;
The results of this new questionnaire campaign will be presented in the 2017 Annual ESG report published in July 2017.
PE 13 Voluntary Additional Assessed PRI 2
PE 13.1 Indicate the types of actions taken by your portfolio companies to incorporate ESG issues into operations and what proportion of your portfolio companies have implemented these actions. Private
PE 13.2 Describe how your organisation contributes to the portfolio companies’ resourcing and management of ESG issues. Private
PE 14 Voluntary Descriptive PRI 2,3
PE 14.1 Indicate the type and frequency of reports you request and/or receive from portfolio companies covering ESG issues.
Overarching portfolio company reports (or similar) where management disclosure, financial and ESG data are integrated
Quarterly or more frequently
Biannually
Annually
Less frequently than annually
Ad-hoc/when requested, specify
30 TRANSPARENCY Standalone reports highlighting targets and/or KPIs covering ESG issues
Quarterly or more frequently
Biannually
Annually
Less frequently than annually
Ad-hoc/when requested, specify
Other, specify
No reporting on ESG issues requested and/or provided by portfolio companies
PE 14.2 Additional information.
Every year we review our reporting framework in compliance with the AFIC's recommendations and the key ESG criteria our Investment Managers identify when they prepare the ESG Profile Review of prospective investments during the due-diligence phase (or in response to a call for re-investment).
In 2016, the ESG questionnaire on which the annual report is based was upgraded with new questions on the following ESG topics to better align with LPs’ and civil society’s expectations:
we added questions on the business sector and on the type of buildings occupied so as to ease the carbon footprint estimation process if needed, but also directly asked if the Company had conducted a carbon footprint assessment; we also added questions on the management of water and waste; a question on the management of ethics was added;
Now we collect a set of about 30 KPIs on all our Direct Private Equity Investments.
The overall result of this ESG reporting sent to all our direct investments is disclosed in our Annual ESG report, available on our website. The results of this new questionnaire campaign will be presented in the 2017 Annual ESG report published in July 2017.
PE 15 Voluntary Additional Assessed PRI 2
PE 15.1 Indicate whether during the reporting year your organisation disclosed information on ESG issues to potential buyers prior to exit for private equity investments. Private
PE 15.2 Apart from disclosure, describe how your organisation considers ESG issues at exit. Private
PE 15.3 Additional information. Private
PE 17 Mandatory to Report, Voluntary to Disclose Descriptive PRI 1,2
PE 17.1 Provide examples of ESG issues that you identified in your potential and/or existing private equity investments during the reporting year. Private
PE 17.2 Describe how you define and evaluate the materiality of ESG factors. Private
PE 18 Mandatory Core Assessed PRI 6
PE 18.1 Indicate whether your organisation proactively discloses ESG information on your private equity investments.
Disclose publicly http://www.idinvest.com/en/company/isr-development
PE 18.2 Indicate whether the type of ESG information you proactively provide to the public is the same as that you provide to your clients (LPs)/beneficiaries.
Yes
PE 18.3 Indicate the type of ESG information that your organisation proactively discloses to the public and/or your clients (LPs)/beneficiaries.
ESG information in relation to our pre-investment activities
ESG information in relation to our post-investment monitoring and ownership activities
Information on our portfolio companies’ ESG performance
Other, specify Idinvest Partners' Responsible Private Equity Policy, RI Transparency Report, Annual ESG Report, PRI Integrating ESG PE - Case studies
PE 18.4 Indicate your organisation’s typical frequency of disclosing ESG information to the public and/or your clients(LPs)/beneficiaries.
Quarterly or more frequently
Biannually
Annually
Less frequently than annually
Ad-hoc/when requested, specify
PE 18.7 Describe the ESG information and how your organisation proactively discloses it to the public and/or clients (LPs)/beneficiaries. [Optional]
31 TRANSPARENCY The main ESG information we publicly report are through the ESG annual report and the ESG policy. Both are communicated to the public and investors for whom we proactively send the annual report.
The ESG annual report details ESG management at investment activity level (Direct Private Equity/Capital growth, Direct Fixed-Income/Private debt and Indirect Manager Selection / primary and secondary investments) with one ESG case (example) at company / manager selection level.
As for Private Equity investments/Capital Growth, we have published the results of the ESG monitoring questionnaires since 2014. In 2016, we have sent the questionnaires to 108 portfolio companies with a response rate of 65%, a 10-point increase compared with 2014.
In 2016, the annual ESG report printed versions (recycled paper) was proactively sent to 1,200 persons, among which 60% are clients and 40% of potential clients.
The information was relayed on social networks (LinkedIn), following a flash information to the 1,200 persons.
Other ESG information regarding our ESG processes are integrated into the PPMs and disclosed only to clients.
We also systematically answer client’s ESG questionnaires on our investment activities. We are solicited several times a year.
No
Disclose to investor clients (LPs)/beneficiaries only
No proactive disclosure to the public or to clients (LPs)/beneficiaries
PE 19 Mandatory to Report, Voluntary to Disclose Descriptive PRI 6
PE 19.1 Describe your organisation’s approach to disclosing ESG incidents in private equity investments to your investor clients (LPs). Private
32 TRANSPARENCY