News & Analysis

In brief: Equistone signs up to UN Global Compact

The firm is among the eight largest independent European private equity firms to have signed up, according to a statement seen by New Private Markets.

-

Equistone Partners Europe, the mid-market PE firm, has signed up to the United Nations Global Compact, New Private Markets has learnt.

The firm has committed to “incorporating the 10 principles of the UN Global Compact into its strategies, policies and procedures while encouraging its portfolio companies to do the same”, according to a statement seen by NPM and due to be released later on Thursday. Equistone claims to be one of the top eight largest independent European private equity firms to have joined the initiative.

Further reading: Should I sign up to the UN Global Compact?

Launched in 2000 by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the Compact
comprises 10 principles that address human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption.

More than 24,000 companies have signed up globally to the UN Global Compact, according to the initiative’s website, including a growing number of private equity firms. Denmark-based Axcel has been a signatory since 2010, Norwegian state fund investor Argentum signed up in 2012 and Northern European firm IK Investment Partners signed up in 2014. Since then firms such as EQT, Investindustrial, Inflexion Private Equity Partners, Stirling Square Capital Partners, Activa Capital and Aurelius have signed up.