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Banking Essentials - Part I

This pathway will walk us through the basics of banks, starting with some of the different types and their main functions, then starting to look at the regulation faced by the banks, both before and after the Global Financial Crisis.

Greenwashing

Greenwashing is the act of distributing false information about something being more environmentally friendly than it actually is.

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Tackling the Cost of Living Crisis

In this video, Max discusses the cost-of-living crisis currently enveloping the UK. He examines its impact on households as well as the overall economy.

CSR and Sustainability in Financial Services

In the first video of this two-part video series, Elisa introduces us to sustainability. She begins by looking at the difference between sustainability and corporate social responsibility, two terms that can be easily confused.

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Banking Essentials - Part I

This pathway will walk us through the basics of banks, starting with some of the different types and their main functions, then starting to look at the regulation faced by the banks, both before and after the Global Financial Crisis.

Greenwashing

Greenwashing is the act of distributing false information about something being more environmentally friendly than it actually is.

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Plans & Membership

Our Platform

Expert led content

+1,000 expert presented, on-demand video modules

Learning analytics

Keep track of learning progress with our comprehensive data

Interactive learning

Engage with our video hotspots and knowledge check-ins

Testing & certification

Gain CPD / CPE credits and professional certification

Managed learning

Build, scale and manage your organisation’s learning

Integrations

Connect Finance Unlocked to your current platform

Featured Content

More featured content

Tackling the Cost of Living Crisis

In this video, Max discusses the cost-of-living crisis currently enveloping the UK. He examines its impact on households as well as the overall economy.

CSR and Sustainability in Financial Services

In the first video of this two-part video series, Elisa introduces us to sustainability. She begins by looking at the difference between sustainability and corporate social responsibility, two terms that can be easily confused.

More featured content

Book a demo

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Introduction to ESG at VC Fund Operations

Introduction to ESG at VC Fund Operations

Hannah Leach

ESG and VC specialist

How can a VC fund begin their ESG journey? Well, by reviewing and improving their own fund operations. Join Hannah Leach as she explores how VCs can get started.

How can a VC fund begin their ESG journey? Well, by reviewing and improving their own fund operations. Join Hannah Leach as she explores how VCs can get started.

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Introduction to ESG at VC Fund Operations

6 mins 30 secs

Overview

In the investment world, ESG is typically viewed within the context of the investment process e.g. how VC funds can integrate ESG into screening, due diligence and ongoing portfolio management. More important is how ESG applies to a fund’s own internal operations. This area has been neglected, firstly, because it is complicated to make the direct link between fund-level ESG operational integration and revenue, secondly, it would require changing entrenched and familiar behaviours (e.g. lack of diversity and governance). The first step for a VC fund is to craft an overarching ESG policy. The policy should be framed internally through consultation with a cross-section of key stakeholders and include an exclusion policy. Lastly, the policy should also cover how ESG is operationalised at a firm-level.

Key learning objectives:

  • Understand why internal operations have been neglected in ESG integration

  • Understand how to craft an ESG policy

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Summary

Why have internal operations typically been neglected? 

This area has been neglected, firstly, because it is complicated to make the direct link between fund-level ESG operational integration and revenue, secondly, it would require changing  entrenched and familiar behaviours (e.g. lack of diversity and governance). Founders want to feel represented and understood by their investors, leading to examples of underrepresented founders looking for investors that have diversity in their team. 

How can you craft an ESG policy? 

The ESG policy must set the tone across the fund, tie ESG to strategy and ensure that there is both focus and ownership. The policy should cover a fund’s approach to ESG, starting with their own clear definition of it.

This definition should cover all elements of E, S and G and should be informed by industry best-practice and existing standards/guidelines (e.g. the PRI).

It’s important for ESG to be framed internally through consultation with a cross-section of key stakeholders within the fund and include an exclusion list of industries and business models in which the fund will not invest, as well as an outline of how ESG is integrated across the end-to-end investment process. Lastly, the policy should also cover how ESG is operationalised at a firm-level.

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This video is now available for free. It is also part of a premium, accredited video course. Sign up for a 14-day free trial to watch more.

Hannah Leach

Hannah Leach

Hannah Leach is a partner at the venture firm Houghton Street Ventures and co-founder of VentureESG, a global non-profit initiative whose aim is to drive forward the adoption of ESG practices in the venture capital industry. VentureESG provides VC funds with the knowledge, tools and peer support to be able to implement more robust ESG practices across their operations and end-to-end investment process. Hannah started her career in international development and has since spent the majority of the last decade working with companies to design and launch new products and services.

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