Our Approach to ESG
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues are evolving at pace. We are committed to maintaining an open dialogue with our clients, employees, suppliers, and shareholders to be an ESG leader within the financial services industry.
In achieving our ESG ambitions we will only commit to partnerships with stakeholders who share our values. Our ESG policy lays out the steps we are taking to live those values and support sustainable finance.
Investing in our People
The expertise and dedication of our employees is fundamental in meeting our clients’ needs and exceeding their expectations. We believe that an inclusive working environment is a productive one as well as a societal necessity. We are committed to fostering high engagement levels amongst all our employees, recruiting from a diverse pool of talent and adapting our ways of working to the realities of the post-pandemic economy.
Ethics Policy
Panmure Liberum maintains a robust whistle blowing policy in accordance with FCA regulation, ensuring ‘in confidence with confidence’ procedure. The policy aims to provide an internal, confidential mechanism for reporting, investigating and remedying wrongdoing. Panmure Liberum supports whistle-blowers, protecting their anonymity where possible and ensures against detrimental treatment of whistle-blowers with appropriate safeguards and procedures.
Professional development
We sponsor our employees with regulatory and compliance training, pursuing qualifications, and any technical training necessary to carry out their role. We also focus on employees' development through professional development workshops as well as inclusive leadership, wellbeing and resilience training. We promote internal mobility where our employees can grow into different parts of the business based on their skillset.
We operate a benefits scheme which enables employees to enhance some of the benefits provided to them by the company to best suit their personal circumstances. We support our people through the provision of health and wellbeing initiatives including employee assistance' programmes and trained mental health first aiders within the company.
Equal Opportunities
Panmure Liberum regards its employees as its most valuable resource, and continually invests in its people via training and communication to maintain an environment of respect for all.
As an equal opportunities employer, Panmure Liberum seeks to ensure the equality of treatment and opportunity available to all existing and potential employees irrespective of age, race, religion, sexuality, gender or marital status. Procedures relating to the assessment of applicants are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain free from discrimination.
Diversity and Inclusion
We are committed to hiring individuals with skills that enhance our culture and strategy. We consider candidates on merit rather than against objective criteria, with due regard to the benefits of diversity when considering candidates.
We celebrate individuality and recognise this diversity makes us more resilient and effective in delivering on the needs of our clients. Recognising the gender and ethnic imbalance within the industry as a whole, we are making progress to improve this through our hiring. Our Inclusion Committee leads on developing our talent strategy to broaden our recruitment pool through networking partnerships, mentorships, internships and employee experience initiatives.
Harassment and victimisation are not tolerated under any circumstance.
Wellbeing
Panmure Liberum is committed to maintaining a safe and secure working environment that protects the psychological and physical health of employees. Panmure Liberum employees can expect confidential support and consideration if experiencing any issues impacting their mental wellbeing or physical health.
Our Planet
Achieving environmental sustainability is a moral and economic priority. Climate change has become the defining issue of our time and we are acutely aware of the risks and opportunities that this presents for our industry. We recognise that managing our environmental footprint is directly linked to our strategic priority to operate efficiently and we strive to manage our impact as we grow. With the help of our partners Clear and Respira, we are working on better measurement of our greenhouse gas emissions, reducing emissions where possible, and offsetting what cannot be avoided to remain carbon neutral.
Climate Policy
Panmure Liberum itself does not produce high GHG emissions. The London office runs off 100% renewable energy, with most Scope 1 and 2 emissions limited to the heating of the offices. The majority of our emissions come from Scope 3, specifically employee commuting and business travel. However, the pandemic dramatically reduced the Company’s Scope 3 emissions, and we now measure the mileage of business-related travel as well as other scope 3 emissions. Through the use of offsets, we became carbon neutral in 2020, and will continue to offset emissions we cannot reduce in the future. Nevertheless, we aim to reduce our primary emissions where possible in order to rely less and less on offsets over time.
We are committed to reducing office waste and being eco-friendly. We endeavour to limit our landfill contribution by encouraging recycling and through conscious purchasing decisions. We believe no waste should make it to landfill and take active measures to limit our landfill contribution. For example, all our used and broken IT equipment is systematically recycled and repaired for resale where possible to minimise waste.
Sustainable Travel
Due to the nature of our business, we recognise that one of the major ways we can reduce our environmental footprint is through better and more sustainable travel options. All employees are encouraged to use public transport when they travel to and from work and Panmure Liberum offers several incentives such as operating a Cycle to Work scheme for our employees and providing secure storage for bicycles for those that choose to cycle to the office. We have converted all our allocated car parking spots in our offices to bicycle parking to reduce emissions from commutes. To better understand our travel impact, we are tracking our commuting patterns in our annual employee engagement survey and using this information to encourage more sustainable options.
We also work closely with our corporate travel management company to collect monthly data concerning our carbon emissions and promote sustainable business travel solutions. High quality video conferencing systems and facilities have been installed across all our meeting spaces to help minimise travel where technology can provide a suitable alternative.
All emissions caused during commutes and business travel are offset with QAS certified offsets.
Biodiversity
Diverse planting
Various plants have been selected to increase the diversity of the landscaping and the proportions of native/naturalised species present, for the benefit of native wildlife. This has included wildflower seed mixes to ‘over-seed’ the cradle tracks, ground cover species, such as snowdrop and crocus, and additional shrubs, including dogwood and holly. As well as improving conditions for local biodiversity, species selections have been made with aesthetic appeal in mind (colour, structure).
Bee hotels
There is a growing recognition that solitary bees (including species such as mason and leaf-cutter bees) are in decline across the wider countryside. Many solitary bees like to nest in materials such as brick mortar, sand walls and trees (both living and dead). The bee hotels have been specifically designed to accommodate these species (and other invertebrates), providing a wide range of different habitat types and conditions, both externally and internally within the structure. They have also been designed with the occupiers in mind, creating a feature of visual interest in keeping with the design of the well-maintained terrace areas.
Insect boxes
These boxes provide a summer-time home for a range of beneficial insect species and over-wintering shelter for species such as ladybirds and lacewings. To encourage their take up and optimal use, the boxes are best sited in sun (or partial shade) and close to a nectar and pollen sources for the inhabiting insects.
Bird boxes
A range of lightweight wooden nest boxes have been provided for common urban bird species that are already likely to use the landscaped terrace areas on occasion. Whilst the landscaping provides them with a variety of food sources, in the form of plant seeds and insects, there is little opportunity for permanent shelter within these areas. The boxes will allow for nesting great and blue tit, house sparrow and/or wren.
Bird baths
Water is an essential part of the daily requirements of all forms of biodiversity, from insects to birds to mammals. Whilst the landscaped terraces provide opportunities for food, there is little or no permanent provision of water. These bird baths, concealed within the terrace vegetation, will allow for the more permanent presence of biodiversity and/or help to attract this in from elsewhere. It may also accommodate other types of aquatic-borne insects, which form the preferred prey of aerial predators, such as bats.
Supporting our communities
We aim to be a positive impact company, making a meaningful contribution to the communities around us. Our clients and employees can be proud to be a part of an organisation that contributes to society through its approach to communities and the environment.
We encourage our employees to join in regular fundraisers ranging from charity bike rides and runs to toy drives and book donations.
The Panmure Liberum Foundation
Panmure Liberum has an active involvement in the community it is based in. By supporting the Panmure Liberum Foundation, we are able to make a positive impact in London. The Foundation is registered with the Charity Commission, and was set up to provide support and financial assistance for the disadvantaged. It has supported a variety of causes since inception, with a focus on young people and improving their prospects. Each year various fundraising events are held in order to support projects relating to our anchor charities and other deserving causes. To date we have raised over £1m. Panmure Liberum staff are encouraged to participate in a variety of ways, and we continually look for long-term solutions to the challenges faced by disadvantaged children and young people in London.
Our anchor charities are currently School Home Support and Place2Be.
