In brief: CD&R tools up for ESG with new director

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice has appointed Lori Butler as director of environmental stewardship, supporting the firm's deal diligence and portfolio company decarbonisation efforts.

Lori Butler, director of environmental stewardship at CD&R

Private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier and Rice is tooling up on ESG talent: the firm has recruited Lori Butler as a director of environmental stewardship. Working within the operations team, Butler will contribute to CD&R’s diligence on potential deals to identify environment-related risks and value creation opportunities through decarbonization. She will also support portfolio companies to decarbonize post-acquisition.

CD&R is known for pioneering the use of operating partners. Butler’s appointment comes after CD&R recruited partner Michael Lamach, who brings climate-related operating experience to the firm. Butler has also joined from the industrial corporate sector: she was previously vice president of environment, health and safety at Carrier Corporation and global head of environment, health, safety and sustainability at Whirlpool Corporation.

CD&R is raising its twelfth flagship buyout fund, which has a $20 billion target and reached a first close in September at $10 billion.