News
LDC launches new academy to support portfolio’s ESG ambitions
9 Dec 2024
LDC has launched a new skills development programme to support the management teams of its portfolio companies as they integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles into their growth strategies.
The LDC ESG Academy, which has been designed in partnership with LDN Apprenticeships, will equip participants with the skills, knowledge and capabilities they need to manage ESG performance within their companies both now and into the future.
The course covers seven core modules – net zero, corporate strategy, consultancy skills, stakeholder engagement, data modelling and data fluency, project management and change and culture management – and will be delivered through online and in-person teaching over a 20-month period.
This will be supplemented by expert-led masterclasses from partners such as Seismic, which helps companies to measure, manage and communicate their ESG performance using the B Corp framework, and Flotilla, which supports businesses with the transition to a low carbon economy. Participants will also be matched with a one-to-one skills coach to help put their knowledge into practice.
Alex Bexon, ESG Director at LDC, said: “As a responsible investor, it’s important that we support the management teams of our portfolio companies and help them to access the skills and tools they need to deliver their own ESG agendas. It’s a vital part of how companies create value and many small and medium-sized businesses don’t already have the knowledge to effectively drive an ESG strategy forward. As a result, we’ve seen real demand for this type of training from across our portfolio.
LDN is a highly regarded training provider and has a strong track record in this space. Together we’re able to deliver a programme that gives our portfolio companies the skills they need to build stronger, more sustainable businesses.”
The programme is designed to support medium-sized businesses and is currently available to LDC’s portfolio companies in England. It is intended for individuals at every level, from manager to CFO, and is currently supporting companies across sectors as varied as consumer and healthcare and technology and industrials.
Alex added: “A real strength of the ESG Academy is our ability to bring people together to learn, whilst sharing ideas and best practice. This collaboration across our portfolio is already helping to unlock a huge amount of value, it’s creating a community of ESG champions from different sectors who can learn from each other’s own experiences, challenges and successes.”
Simon Baker, Enterprise Solutions Director at LDN Apprenticeships, said: “We are thrilled to partner with LDC on the ESG Academy. This initiative is a testament to our shared commitment to fostering sustainable business practices. By equipping leaders with the necessary skills and knowledge, we are not only supporting them with achieving their ESG goals but also paving the way for long-term, impactful change across various industries. The Academy’s comprehensive curriculum and strong emphasis on collaboration will undoubtedly empower participants to drive meaningful progress within their organisations, aligning their efforts with LDC’s own ESG priorities.”
Individuals who complete the programme receive a Level 4 Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Practitioner Apprenticeship – which is the equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Certificate (HNC) – and a free one-year membership to the Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability.
The Level 4 Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Practitioner Apprenticeship is one of only six green apprenticeships in the UK to be marked with the Coronation emblem, which signals a gold-standard apprenticeship that helps contribute to a low carbon economy and build a workforce that is equipped with the skills needed for a green future.
The launch of the LDC ESG Academy supplements a broader programme of training and development opportunities available to the firm’s portfolio companies, which includes bespoke webinars and access to external training programmes such as those through the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership.