Sustainable investments specialist Earth Capital has extended equity ownership of the business and reshaped its European investment team as demand for impact investment soars, driven principally by increasing concerns about climate change.Stephen Lansdown and Gordon Power, co-founders of Earth Capital, have invited the senior team of Phil Culver Evans (CFO), Richard Burrett (CSO) and Neil Brown (CRO) to all become shareholders, whilst remaining majority owners themselves.
Earth Capital, which invests globally in the development and deployment of clean sustainable technology, has also increased its investment in Earth Capital Europe (previously known as Si Capital), majority owned by Sebastian Waldburg and Eusebio Guell.
Nick Curtis (Director of Investment) will become Chair of Earth Capital’s newly created waste to energy portfolio company. Also, in the UK, Earth Capital has appointed two new investment directors, Avent Bezuidenhoudt and Dr Simon Crook. The two will join Gordon Power (CIO) and Joshua Hope (Investment Associate) with making new investments for the Nobel Sustainability Fund® (‘NSF’), which focuses on backing new technologies in the sustainability sector. They will also work with the management teams of NSF’s portfolio companies to develop and implement their strategic plans and deliver greater sustainability performance.
Avent Bezuidenhoudt joins Earth Capital with over 25 years of experience in investment, portfolio management and corporate finance advisory. Her career has focused on high-growth technology businesses and private equity technology transactions. Prior to joining Earth Capital, she was a Senior Fund Manager at the FSE Group.
Meanwhile, Dr Simon Crook brings 18 years of experience in clean technology and sustainable finance. He has previous experience in impact investing at Greensphere Capital, where he was an operating partner, and has also worked in senior roles at Grant Thornton and ExxonMobil. Simon holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cambridge and an MA in Chemical Engineering from the University of Nottingham.
Gordon Power, Chief Investment Officer at Earth Capital, said: “Sustainable finance will play a crucial role in driving a green recovery following Covid-19 and we believe that these changes will position us well for the future. Avent and Simon are an ideal fit for Earth Capital, bringing impressive experience and expertise in clean technology, private equity, and sustainable investment. I am especially pleased to cement our platform in Europe with our increased presence through Sebastian and Eusebio. They all have a genuine passion for the positive impact of sustainable finance, and I look forward to working with them over the coming years to further strengthen our investment offering and drive progress in our existing portfolio companies.”
The changes will ensure that Earth Capital is well placed to continue to meet the growing demand for impact investment as policymakers, investors and consumers all look at how to #BuildBackBetter following the Covid-19 pandemic. Over recent months Earth Capital has won an award for the Most Innovative ESG Product at the ESG Investing Awards, a full house score of A+ from the PRI and achieved zero carbon status from One Carbon World. In addition, the Group recently announced a new partnership with leading Chinese industrial firm Sany Group, to advance green technology manufacturing projects in China.
