Global sustainability leader sold to PwC

Arrowpoint Advisory advised the shareholders of SFL on the sale to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Sustainable Finance Ltd are an international advisory firm focused on environmental and social risk management in the financial sector. SFL's primary areas of expertise are sustainability strategy and policy development, training, management systems and transaction support. The company helped develop the Equator Principles in 2003, the international industry standard for managing environmental and social risks in project finance. More recently SFL were instrumental in developing the Carbon Principles, the climate change guidelines for evaluating and addressing carbon risks in the financing of electric power projects in the US.

Bringing an established reputation and specific expertise in the financial services sector, SFL will integrate with the established PwC sustainability and climate change team. Members of SFL based in the UK, US and Holland will continue to sell training and risk management tools, as well as support PwC on combined client engagements.

Leo Johnson, co-founder of SFL commented: “This was an innovative transaction, with a transformational goal at its core, and Arrowpoint Advisory played a critical role in guiding it to closure. Rather than retreating from sustainability investment, in the current economic environment companies need to examine where the real risks and opportunities lie for their reputations and business growth, in many cases that could result in changes to policies, structures and operating models to survive in the new economy.”

James Lever, Managing Director at Arrowpoint Advisory commented: “All parties recognised the long term strategic value that SFL would bring to PwC, and this, alongside the strong cultural fit between the teams, enabled the deal to proceed to completion amidst the backdrop of a troubled M&A marketplace." James Lever added: "SFL's position of global thought leadership in sustainability consulting made the business an extremely attractive asset, a "must have" acquisition target with genuine scarcity value.”

Ian Powell, PwC chairman and Senior Partner commented: “There are extensive business opportunities arising from the urgent transition to a low carbon economy and adaptation to climate change and other sustainability trends affecting water, resources, and labour. We believe it is vital for us to accelerate our investment in these services, particularly in the financial services sector as it seeks to rebuild trust and confidence. We are delighted that the SFL team are joining us.”

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