Sustainalytics, a research, ratings and analytics firm focusing on environmental, social and governance issues, is acquiring GES International, a provider of engagement, screening and fiduciary voting services to institutional investors.
As ESG has become a more prominent part of institutional investing decisions, the combination of Sustainalytics’ materiality-focused ESG research and ratings with the services GES provides make a logical combination, according to a press release.
Read: Most Canadian institutional investors engaging in ESG issues: survey
“We believe GES’ proven approach to constructive issuer engagement will significantly enhance our clients’ abilities to manage ESG risk, alongside improving companies’ ESG performance,” said Michael Jantzi, chief executive officer of Sustainalytics, in the release. “The strengths and capabilities our two firms bring to the global investment community comes at a critical time with engagement on ESG issues becoming a more important tool for investors in executing their ESG strategies.”
GES is headquartered in Stockholm and had been operating as an owner advocate for 25 years. Currently, the company has four other offices in Europe, including Zurich, Copenhagen, London and Zielona Gora, Poland.
“As investors place an increasingly high value on constructive engagement with portfolio companies, we are delighted to join a firm as highly respected and like-minded as Sustainalytics,” said Hanna Roberts, chief executive officer of GES. “Capitalizing on Sustainalytics’ rich product portfolio and extensive global footprint, we will be able to offer our clients higher-quality products and deeper international resources. Together we can better serve the growing ESG product and service needs of institutional investors.”