Founded in 1985, Wafra Inc. (“Wafra”) is an alternative investment manager with assets under management across a range of investment strategies, including strategic partnerships, real assets, real estate, private equity, venture capital and liquid markets. We seek to provide long-term investment return solutions that can span not just years, but generations. Wafra believes environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors can help lead to long-term value creation and became a signatory to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment (“PRI”) in 2016. The Firm's approach to ESG investing is embedded in its heritage, with over 30-years of experience in managing customized portfolios for our clients, aligning their investments with their values.
Wafra recognizes the responsibility it holds towards its investors to make suitable investment decisions, manage risk and generate sustainable long-term returns. The Firm believes responsible ownership can lead to risk reduction, growth of investment efficiencies and increased brand value. Wafra takes a three-pronged approach to sustainability and investing:
- Endeavor to be good stewards of investor capital and act in the best interests of our fund clients and separately managed account investors (collectively, “clients”), by adhering to a high standard of ethics, honesty and transparency.
- Commit to integrating ESG factors in our investment decision-making process.
- Invest in long-standing, prudent partnerships and encourage long-term value creation best practices.
ESG analysis is embedded in Wafra's investment process in order to produce underwriting insights and drive value creation initiatives that can allow our investment teams to identify and build sustainable businesses. The Firm relies on PRI's standards to guide its investments and looks to create partnerships with ethical investors who share its long-term values. Wafra conducts screens on its investments for those that violate the UN Global Compact Principles (i.e. fundamental responsibilities in the areas of human rights, labor rights, environmental standards as well as bribery and corruption).
Wafra takes a hands-on approach when analyzing ESG factors within our decision-making process. We view investments as partnerships in which we aim to educate, engage and empower our portfolio companies to adopt best-in-class ESG practices and build long-term sustainable businesses.
Wafra's approach is further detailed in its Sustainable Investment Policy.