Diversity & Inclusion

“ With diversity you source and analyse deals, ask and answer questions, and manage teams differently. It adds up to better investment and business decisions. The more complex the challenge at hand, the greater the returns.”

Nic Humphries, Senior Partner and Executive Chair

Cultural, ethnic, gender, educational and other differences all contribute to our individual thinking and experiences. These differences manifest in how we navigate the business world, including complex investment decisions. At Hg we have seen first-hand how a commitment to D&I creates a virtuous cycle: the more inclusive and welcoming we are to difference, the more each individual is able to add value. That, in turn, translates to a greater impact for all our stakeholders – Hg investors, our portfolio companies, employees and the communities where we work and live.

Within Hg we have an established D&I Steering Group. The Steering Group is made up of a range of individuals from across the firm; its aim is to promote a culture of inclusion that clearly values diversity in all its forms. We have a number of global initiatives – gender balance, flexible working, mentoring programmes, training and awareness events – to drive internal change.

Our Steering Group reports directly to the Hg Board to set the strategy and outcomes, which are checked and updated – a signal of both our commitment and belief in continuous improvement. Reaching 30% female employees by March 2021 (achieved in 2020) and 20% female at the senior executive level are two recent areas of concentration.

Since creating more focus and responsibility on D&I at Hg, we’ve been amazed at the value realised. We can pinpoint examples of deal pitches where our diversity agenda has given us a leading edge over our competitors, and how we’ve analysed and conducted due diligence. Examples like this make us ever more committed to this strategic effort.

“When starting at Hg, I was inspired by the team’s passion to begin the conversation and drive to create a truly inclusive culture. Not only was I celebrated, but I was also encouraged to share my own truth. This sense of belonging was a huge surprise in an industry not typically associated with inclusion and diversity.”

Wesley Dow, Hg Portfolio Team

We will build Hg together living our values: Be Genuine. Outlearn. Go Beyond. Win Right. We believe these core values are our foundation – and directly contribute to why Hg has performed so well over the past 20 years. Today, it is what we expect and demand from each other every day. To live by these values, Hg must maintain an inclusive culture that encourages every individual to bring their whole self to their working life. Without that as an underpinning, the team cannot thrive, which is why we place so much importance in maintaining D&I across the firm.

Private equity investing within the tech sector is highly competitive; to maintain a leading position you must innovate on every front. As well as cultivating an inclusive environment, Hg needs to recruit, retain and advance a team of the best possible investment and operational talent from the broadest possible pool of candidates. We also recognise the power of supporting that team with opportunities for advancement, leadership and more. We see D&I as integral in ensuring that we remain innovative and competitive.

Trust and collaboration are the foundation for strong relationships, the underpinning of our work – and success. Our investors entrust us with capital; portfolio company teams trust us to help them build exceptional organisations. Our team members rely on us to foster an environment where they are valued and can add value. Transparent, open exchange on all fronts, with all stakeholders, is the needed yet often missing fuel of a collaborative culture. Hg prides itself on promoting this. Our effort is continuous and intentional; the value is realised by all.