ESG Investing: Small Company Growth Team Perspective
We believe that a total stakeholder mindset drives behaviors that can sustain long-term compounding
Sustainability
We aim to invest in businesses that we believe are positioned to deliver unique value to stakeholders today, and in the future. In our analysis, we focus on business issues we believe to be material to long-term stakeholder interests. We view financial metrics and factors classified as environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) as intertwined, and essential for a comprehensive understanding of the business and its financial strength.
At Polen Capital, we believe businesses that thoughtfully balance the interests of key stakeholders while uniquely delivering the value they seek are positioned to deliver sustainable outcomes.
We integrate material ESG issues into our comprehensive bottom-up, fundamental research and assessment of risks and opportunities, taking a long-term view consistent with our philosophy.
We focus on a company’s value proposition and competitive advantages and objectively assess the value of the company through key stakeholders’ eyes.
We evaluate the initiatives the company is undertaking to amplify value or mitigate risk to strengthen its brand, competitive advantage, and value creation for its key stakeholders over time.
We focus on doing the right thing for our clients, colleagues, community, and the environment. We expect the same from the companies in which we invest.
Assessing material ESG factors is part of our bottom-up, fundamental research process for evaluating a company’s competitive advantage, business model sustainability, risks, and opportunities.
ESG Investment Factors Polen May Consider
Environmental
- Climate change initiatives
- Energy and water efficiency
- Packaging improvements
Social
- Ability to attract, develop, and retain employees
- Product or service value to customers
- Supplier and partner support
Governance
- Quality of management
- Board effectiveness
- Executive compensation
Industry Commitment
Guided by a firm conviction to help advance the investment industry’s role in creating a sustainable, global financial system, Polen supports the following industry associations:
Our commitment to ESG principles goes beyond investments. They also guide our organizational and operational philosophy.
Our dedication to our people and our community is steadfast and growing. Learn more about our ESG and sustainability progress.
227
Number of Employees
36%
Operating Committee Diversity
7YRS
“Best Places to Work in Money Management” — P&I
385+
Wishes granted through the Make-A-Wish Golf Tournament
See the report →
Data as of 03/31/2023
Adhering to high standards in ESG is not only the right thing to do as a firm, we believe it’s essential to creating and sustainably maintaining our competitive advantage as an asset manager.
Firm-level Dedication to ESG
Environmental
- Boca Raton and Boston offices in LEED-certified buildings
- Electronic document workflow processes minimize paper use
- Aim to track and offset our carbon emissions
Social
- Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE) provides a flexible work environment and contributes to work/life balance
- Annual training budgets to encourage personal and professional development
- Partnerships to promote diversity and inclusion in recruitment
- Corporate sponsorship, volunteerism, and employee charitable gift matching program to strengthen our community
Governance
- Employee-owned; employee goals and incentives aligned with our clients’ success
- Experienced and diverse leadership committees
- Robust internal Risk and Compliance Committee and processes
The information provided is for informational purposes only. Opinions and views expressed constitute the judgment of Polen Capital as of the date of this post, may involve a number of assumptions and estimates which are not guaranteed, and are subject to change without notice. This document does not identify all the risks (direct or indirect) or other considerations which might be material when entering any financial transaction.
Polen Capital named to Pensions & Investments Best Places to Work in Money Management in the category for asset managers with 100-499 employees as of 12-13-2021. 100 applicants are surveyed for the award annually. The Best Places to Work Award is managed by Best Companies Group (BCG) and requires participating organizations to complete a two-part process. The first part evaluates workplace policies, practices, and demographics and is worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consists of an employee survey to measure the employee experience and is worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determine the top companies and which companies are included on the list. There is no cost to participate. BCG is compensated by Polen Capital for advertising and licensing fees.
Beyond Fundamentals: Sustainable Growth & Transformation with Accenture
Watch Dan Davidowitz, Portfolio Manager & Analyst at Polen Capital, in conversation with Julie Sweet, Chair & CEO of Accenture
We invest in U.S., global and international companies with exceptional earnings growth, driven by a sustainable competitive advantage, superior financial strength, proven management teams and powerful products or services.
Our centralized compliance, trading, distribution, marketing and technology teams all work together to support our investment process and the investors we serve.