ESG at Waterland

Environmental sustainability, social responsibility and good governance (ESG) are important aspects of Waterland’s strategy and operations. As a long-term investor and active shareholder in European companies, it is our duty to effectively manage ESG risks and opportunities throughout the investment cycle.

Waterland has significantly intensified its ESG commitments and practices over the past years. Our portfolio companies are monitoring and reporting on a comprehensive set of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) metrics while increasing their focus on ESG management and implementing measures to increase their performance on ESG.

ESG in our investment processes

It is our mission to invest in companies and help them achieve their growth ambitions successfully and sustainably; and as a result, create value for our investors and for society.

We deploy ESG aspects in all stages of our investment process including the screening of new investments and the active engagement with our portfolio companies from investment to exit.

As such, Waterland is ensuring robust foundations for enacting its buy-and-build strategy and for driving sustainable growth over the coming years.

 

ESG in action

Waterland’s inaugural Responsible Investment Report and the growth of its in-house ESG management capabilities demonstrate the firm’s commitment to action. Through long-term partnerships with portfolio management teams, Waterland is striving to make its companies inherently better, financially healthier and more sustainable.

Over the past two years Waterland developed and rolled out enhanced ESG practices across its portfolio. We conduct granular ESG reviews, pay attention to inclusion, diversity and governance and have a specific focus on measuring and managing CO2 emissions. Waterland requested its portfolio companies to monitor and report progress on over 20 ESG key performance indicators (achieving 95% adherence across the companies that were eligible for reporting in 2024).

Almost all of our portfolio companies are monitoring their greenhouse gas emissions, with many of them already working on emission reduction initiatives. Nearly all companies have ESG governance structures and practices in place, and over 60% of companies have at least one female board or senior leadership team member.

I embrace the opportunities to work alongside our portfolio companies in taking them to the next level on ESG, helping them realize their ambitions in driving positive impact.

Tomas SimonsManaging Partner
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ESG in our own operations

With offices and employees spread across Europe, we have fully integrated ESG aspects within our company. We set ourselves ambitious targets in line with key policies, such as the Science Based Targets, and we continue to work continuously to improve our performance as a responsible investor.

Waterland is convinced that successful responsible investing is highly dependent on the knowledge and beliefs of the people who carry out the investment process. Therefore, Waterland is committed to attracting like-minded individuals, stimulating talent development and fostering a learning organization so that all our activities are aligned with our sustainability values.

ESG management and governance

Waterland’s ESG efforts and commitments are managed by an internal ESG team of 4 experienced professionals, and overseen by multiple committees comprised of members of our organization with diverse positions in the firm.

One of these committees is the cross-functional ESG committee, which is responsible for overseeing the implementation of our responsible investing policy, advising the board on ESG issues and promoting Waterland’s ESG performance.

For more information and a more detailed overview of our ESG processes, please see our Responsible Investment report.