Responsibility

Alchemy is committed to being a responsible investor and a good steward of our investors’ capital. Responsible investment and sustainable value creation are at the heart of Alchemy’s core values and we believe that a responsible approach helps to both reduce risk and increase long-term value.

We have robust procedures in place to identify, assess and mitigate the key ESG risks that are material to our business, our existing portfolio, and any potential new investments and continue to seek to further develop and embed these. We are working to set quantitative targets to improve ESG-related performance and drive positive change. In particular, we are focusing our efforts on driving change via climate change initiatives and promoting diversity across our firm and portfolio. This includes working towards reducing carbon emissions across our portfolio in order to move towards our ultimate goal of reaching net zero emissions. 

Good governance is at the heart of Alchemy’s corporate strategy. We consistently seek to achieve the highest standards of governance across the portfolio, with a focus on promoting board accountability at the portfolio company level. Our overall aim is to support the companies we invest in to grow in a responsible manner, and we believe this will help unlock the potential within these businesses and enhance returns for our investors. 

To demonstrate and support our commitment to responsible investment, we are a signatory to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment (UNPRI) and members of the Initiative Climat International (iCI).

Alchemy is also Carbon Neutral for 2022 and continues to offset all carbon emissions by purchasing nature based solution offsets and have previously supported projects such as the Three Rivers Grasslands in China.

At Alchemy, we believe that diverse teams perform better and know that the future success of our firm will be enhanced by making Alchemy a diverse, equitable and inclusive place to work.

We have a long standing policy of providing equal opportunities for all job applicants and workers regardless of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, race, religion or belief, socio-economic background, nationality or ethnic or national origin, disability, age, pregnancy, trade union membership or the fact they are a part-time, contract, or permanent employee. Alchemy also has a zero tolerance policy towards discrimination, harassment and victimisation, and is dedicated to promoting a working environment within which its staff are treated with dignity and respect. We ensure that individuals are treated fairly and that all decisions, including in relation to recruitment, training, terms of employment, access to benefits and services, conditions of work, promotion, discipline, and termination, are taken in accordance with this policy.

These statements need action and require us to be actively inclusive, to reassess processes, practices and norms, and to leverage our differing levels of influence to make progress against our goals. As part of this process, Alchemy requires all its staff to undertake specific training around unconscious bias to both assist in further improving the recruitment process and promoting inclusion in the Firm’s culture.

It is of the utmost importance to Alchemy, and deep rooted in our core values, that all employees feel included, supported, and appreciated, and we believe that this allows them to thrive and be at their best. Alchemy has a clear and accessible support system for all staff to express their concerns and raise any issues they may have. We pride ourselves on offering employees a wide range of attractive employment benefits to complement an exciting career and believe that these benefits are important in our drive to become an employer of choice as we promote a safe and supportive work environment for all.

Good culture is a key component for a firm’s success. We aim to maintain an enjoyable and driven working environment whilst also ensuring that we support all staff in their development and ensure that our mentoring scheme remains effective. Alchemy has a policy of developing the team organically through the promotion of individuals from within the Firm and offers training and development opportunities to all. Alchemy has a collegiate approach, encouraging an open-door policy and allowing all employees the opportunity to work with and learn from individuals from across the organisation. We also believe in the benefits of team building outside of an office environment and actively promote this through regular social events.

Alchemy supports a number of initiatives to promote DE&I, not just in-house, but also throughout the industry. We are proud supporters of Level 20, the ILPA Diversity in Action Initiative, and the 10,000 Black Interns Programme.

Over the coming year Alchemy will look to further develop its DE&I strategy both internally and externally through supporting and taking an active role in key DE&I initiatives and industry associations.

Alchemy, like other private capital firms, has direct involvement with, and influence on, multiple private businesses, providing an opportunity to engender real change on a wider scale. Alchemy collects DE&I data from all of its control portfolio companies on a quarterly basis and works with them to set targets on DE&I initiatives and metrics, whilst supporting them on their journey.

There will be a continual review of this policy and our initiatives by the Partnership on an annual basis, supported by the Head of Human Resources, to ensure that Alchemy continues to adapt its approach in line with best practice.