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A responsible approach to managing our business and our portfolio has been key to how we have operated since 3i was founded in 1945. Our purpose at that time was to contribute to rebuilding post-war Britain by providing growth capital to small businesses. The responsibility that came with that original purpose still guides our behaviour today.
Over the years, we have built a strong reputation and track record by investing and managing our portfolio responsibly and by operating according to high standards of conduct and behaviour. We have achieved this through a relentless focus on strong governance, both at 3i itself and in our investee companies. This has allowed us to earn the trust of our shareholders, co-investors and investee companies, and to recruit and develop employees who share our values and ambitions.
Maintaining a strong reputation requires us to adopt a transparent approach to corporate reporting, including on our progress on driving the sustainability agenda through our operations and portfolio. We are committed to communicating in a clear, open and comprehensive manner and to maintaining an open dialogue with stakeholders.
"We invest with the objective of generating attractive returns through the cycle for our shareholders and co-investors. We aim to achieve this objective sustainably by behaving responsibly as an investor, an employer and as an international corporate citizen."
Simon Borrows, Chief Executive
1. Invest responsibly |
2. Recruit and develop a diverse pool of talent |
3. Act as a good corporate citizen |
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We believe that a responsible approach to investment adds value to our portfolio. Our responsible investment principles are embedded within our investment and portfolio management processes and inform our investment decisions and our behaviours. We rigorously assess and manage ESG risks at all stages of our investment and value creation processes. We make a limited number of investments each year, allowing us to be very selective in our approach to new investment, including considering the impact on global sustainability of investee companies’ activities. We adopt a thematic approach to origination and portfolio construction, backing businesses benefiting from structural trends which can support long-term sustainable growth in our portfolio. |
Our people are our main asset. Accordingly, recruiting, retaining and developing our talent is one of our most important priorities. We promote an open communication culture and provide an inclusive and supportive working environment with opportunities for training and career development. We value diversity and believe that a variety of perspectives enhances our decision making. Our employees are recruited, promoted and rewarded on the basis of merit. We are an equal opportunities employer and prohibit all forms of unfair discrimination. |
We strive to embed responsible business practices throughout our organisation by having robust policies and processes in place and by promoting the right culture among our people. We expect our employees to act with integrity, to be accountable for their behaviour, and to approach their roles with ambition, rigour and energy. All employees are formally evaluated against our values as part of our appraisal process every year. |