Private equity

The European investor has achieved closes on two funds investing in tech-oriented and sustainable businesses in quick succession, gathering more than €2bn in total commitments between them.

The fund, in which Allied Irish Banks is a cornerstone investor, supports small- and medium-sized businesses in Ireland as they transition to the green economy.

If Tony Dalwood wasn’t running Gresham House, he may have become a sports coach. He told Impact Investor how a career in rugby helped him build a multi-billion business, and why investing in sustainability is a safe bet.

Private equity continues to be the most popular asset class for impact investors. Increasing impact transparency and reporting will help distinguish truly impact-driven investment strategies from those that are not.

The fund will invest in the “missing middle” between venture and buyout in climate-related sectors including energy transition, buildings and mobility, climate intelligence, production and consumption, and food and agriculture. 

PWC’s climate tech investment report makes for interesting reading. Christopher Walker sits down with the report’s co-author Tarik Moussa to understand the implications for impact investors.

Achieving impact by investing in private equity funds is hard because it isn’t clear which companies money will be invested in, says PGGM’s Karin Bouwmeester.

A study published by Bridgespan Group lays out the challenges that are unique to African-based impact funds and suggests solutions needed to stimulate  investment flows.   

Private equity is the most popular way for UK pension funds to make impact investments, but a wider geographical spread and greater attention to additionality would improve effectiveness, according to Pensions for Purpose. 

Liam Kennedy talks to Maurice Klaver about PGGM’s private equity sustainable development investment strategy and a growing focus on single SDG funds.