Hope Capital launches first ever ESG report

By Bridging Loan Directory 24th October 2023

Specialist short-term lender, Hope Capital, is delighted to be one of the first lenders in the industry to invest and publish an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report.

The report provides a greater insight into how the lender manages ESG factors and what it sets to achieve over the next year.

It outlines several aspirations including exploring energy performance products, creating further opportunities for the team to support charitable causes, investing in its people, as well as introducing new policies and frameworks around diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The lender has been striving towards a sustainable and equitable business since it was established in 2011. It has made various strides over the years to show its commitment to being more than just a bridging lender.

This includes proudly achieving the HM Treasury Women in Finance Charter for the 5th year running.

The charter reflects the government’s aspiration and Hope Capital’s commitment to see gender balance at all levels across financial services firms.

78% of the senior management team at Hope Capital is made up of females and 50% of the total workforce are women.

Other achievements featured in the report include various actions taken to become an environmentally responsible organisation, such as introducing a cycle-to-work scheme, supporting the homelessness crisis, as well as investing in products to promote energy-efficient practices.

The lender has also made various strides to support corporate social responsibilities within the business, including launching myHOPE, a wellbeing and benefits portal to support its team, donating thousands of pounds to local charities and sponsoring local talent.

In addition, the lender is also committed to ensuring its leadership incentives are aligned with stakeholder expectations, through governance, procedures, and policies they’ve put in place.

Jonathan Sealey, CEO at Hope Capital, commented:

“This is integral to what we do at Hope Capital and engraved into our DNA.

To be one of the first lenders in the industry to publish a report is something we’re extremely proud of and shows our commitment to making a positive impact.

Reading through the report, it is fantastic to see our headline achievements and the plans we have to create change for the better.”

In launching its first report, Hope Capital is recognising the growing importance of ESG issues to brokers, clients, stakeholders, investors, and the communities Hope Capital serves.

It brings together existing and new commitments in line with lenders’ long-term objectives and priorities under each of the E, S and G dimensions.

Jonathan continued:

“For over a decade, we’ve operated in the short-term finance sector and are proud of our ESG journey, and what we’ve achieved so far.

We’re working to support and create long-term sustainable value, that includes transparency about our ambitions and our progress.”

Hope Capital’s report is available to view here.