ESG & DEI

Environmental, Social and Governance

WCAS adopted an ESG policy in 2013, which has evolved over time and incorporates due diligence and portfolio monitoring. WCAS also encourages it’s portfolio companies to embrace its ESG approach.

Our ESG Approach

Consider
Consider social, environmental and governance factors affecting our portfolio companies both (a) during the due diligence stage for target portfolio companies and (b) as part of our ongoing collaboration with the management of existing portfolio companies.
Grow and Improve
Grow and improve the companies we invest in for long-term sustainability, including on environmental, social and governance matters. To that end, we will work through appropriate governance structures (e.g., a board of directors) with portfolio companies with respect to environmental, public health, safety, social and other ESG matters with the goal of improving performance and minimizing adverse impacts in these areas.
Be Accessible
Be accessible to, and engage with, a range of stakeholders on key issues and challenges relating to the ESG matters addressed by this Approach.
Oversight
Ensure that portfolio company managers are able to maintain appropriate levels of oversight in the areas of audit, risk management, and potential conflicts of interest.
Report
Report to our limited partners regarding the actions taken to address the environmental, social and governance matters and foster transparency in portfolio companies regarding these matters.
Encourage
Encourage portfolio companies to advance the principles outlined in this Approach in a manner consistent with their fiduciary duties.

Diversity and Inclusion Mission

WCAS is strongly committed to promoting the recruitment, retention and advancement  of people of diverse backgrounds and fostering an inclusive community of all races, genders, sexual orientations and family structures. We celebrate the diversity of our employees and believe that differences in background, approach and perspective enrich our ability to identify risk and opportunity and ultimately improve our decision-making and results.

We believe strongly that bringing together diverse talent with outstanding career opportunities not only benefits business but also creates a durable positive impact on society.

WCAS Partnerships

Beyond our own internal activities, WCAS continues to engage actively with a number of external organizations to exchange and learn best practices and to advance Diversity and Inclusion within private equity and in the broader corporate and finance sectors.

WCAS is a founding member of the ILPA Diversity in Action initiative, a signatory to the United Nations Principals for Responsible Investing as well as a member of the ESG Data Convergence Initiative.

WCAS professionals across the firm also work with several leading organizations, including the following:

SEO
TOIGO
Girls Who Invest
Break The Boardroom
PEWIN LOGO
WBL
AAAIM

News & Perspectives