The BVCA Reflections series marks the 40th anniversary since the BVCA was established as the trade association for the UK private equity and venture capital industry. During this series, we will be talking to industry leaders from today and previous decades as we reflect on how the industry and the BVCA have evolved.

In episode 4, the BVCA’s Head of Sustainability, Harriet Assem, is joined by Maria Carradice, Managing Director, Specialist – Environmental, Social and Governance at Mayfair Equity Partners, Eimear Palmer, Global Head of ESG at Pantheon, and Maggie Loo, Partner at Bridges Fund Management, to discuss how private capital is well placed to help SMEs to decarbonise, invest in technological solutions to combat the climate crisis and plug the investment gap needed to help the UK meet its Net Zero ambitions.

Mindful of the upcoming COP28 Conference, speakers also outline their policy wish lists to unlock capital and investment opportunities in the Net Zero space, whilst also creating financial returns for investors.

Running order:

• 00:00 – Intro
• 02:36 – Net Zero, does it represent the growth opportunity of the 21st century?
• 08:06 – Access to capital and why Net Zero is so relevant to private capital
• 13:44 - How will net zero affect standard businesses
• 16:21 – How is private capital helping the businesses it invests in to decarbonize and invest in the technological solutions of tomorrow
• 20:20 – The development of ESG scorecards
• 26:08 – Practical guidance and initiatives emerging to help private capital firms (including ICi)
• 28:30 – What the policy and investment landscape needs to look like to unlock opportunities for private capital

This episode of the BVCA podcast is hosted by Harriet Assem, Head of Sustainability at the BVCA.

Harriet’s guest for episode 4:

• Maria Carradice, Managing Director, Specialist – Environmental, Social and Governance, Mayfair Equity Partners
• Eimear Palmer, Global Head of ESG, Pantheon
• Maggie Loo, Partner, Bridges Fund Management