ESG

Concerns over future use-cases in face of AI has led to ‘a number of broken sales processes’, says Sascha Pfeiffer, head of European technology at Houlihan Lokey.

The PE industry remains upbeat as it addresses slow fundraising, artificial intelligence and ESG issues, among others, according to panellists at PEI's NEXUS 2024 summit this week.

Impact investor Summa Equity closed Summa Circular, believed to be the first Article 9 continuation fund, in December, breaking new ground for the secondaries market.

Adviser estimates put secondaries transaction volume at around $110bn, with GP-led processes accounting for roughly 45% of those transactions.

The language around ESG investing may be shifting for PE-backed companies in the sector, but the thesis is not.

Partnering with GPs on environmental deals provides the perfect opportunity to generate positive contributions and outsized returns, says Nicolas Thomas, private equity investment manager at Pictet.

The GP stakes investor is looking to improve its managers' sustainability standards regardless of their starting point, according to deputy CEO and COO Renaud Tourmente.

The full year data for 2023 was dire; early signals suggest this year's will fare significantly better.

The firm's latest and largest fund will have diversity targets for portfolio company leadership teams, according to partner Nnennia Ejebe.

A collaborative approach to setting and driving forward ESG priorities can build long-term value for a business and its stakeholders, say Adinah Shackleton at Permira and Federica Ruzzi at portfolio company Golden Goose.