Border to Coast backs ESG framework

Border to Coast is supporting the launch of a new ESG framework for alternatives, as it seeks to grow its private markets investment programme to over £5 billion in the next 12 months.

Albourne has developed a framework based on the recommended due diligence questions (DDQs) set out by the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI).

The advisory is taking a multi-tiered approach and has just launched a new questionnaire based on the PRI framework, a new proprietary short form questionnaire and a proprietary ESG scoring framework.

Albourne is rolling out its approach for all the alternative investment managers it is engaged with.

The new scoring framework will cover three areas: policy and governance, investment process and monitoring and reporting.

The output will be a numerical score out of 100 which aims to enhance standards and transparency in the alternatives industry.

Border to Coast Chief Investment Officer, Daniel Booth, said: “While ESG reporting has improved in public markets, there is a clear need to enhance standards, transparency and how we measure ESG risk, opportunity and performance in private markets. Albourne has a successful track record of implementing improvements on behalf of investors and we are delighted to work with them to enhance ESG reporting.”