Choate Hosts “Bracing for Impact: Impact Investing & ESG Issues in Private Equity”

Choate hosted a virtual discussion on impact investing and ESG issues in the private equity space. Mary Hunt at RCP Advisors, Greg Shell at Bain Capital Double Impact, and Chris Walker and Harbourvest shared their perspectives on a wide range of topics including the importance of hiring diverse leaders, the move toward standardization in ESG reporting to LPs, and the rewards and challenges that accompany a socially responsible investing strategy.

To learn more about the state of impact investing and ESG, please enjoy this recording of our discussion. Time stamps of key themes are listed below:

2:25 – Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) defined
7:30 – Diversity, Equality & Inclusion-based managers and Impact Investing
11:55 – Current state of standardization of SRI
16:58 – How have investor expectations of SRI evolved over time?
21:00 – Stakeholder Capitalism in publicly-traded versus private equity
29:25 – Active approach to private equity investing and where to invest
32:20 – Manager selection from a “fund of funds” perspective
41:45 – Transitioning from a carbon heavy business
45:35 – SRI investment return expectations
53:15 – Positive impacts of diversity on company performance
1:01: 10 – Responsibility of developed world toward emerging market economies