The third level of our impact framework focuses on investor impact – the influence we, as a family office, leverage to encourage our investments to raise their sustainability ambitions and to inspire other investors to step up and be part of the solution.
We have been on this impact journey for some time now. Along the way, we have consistently shared our results, struggles and the lessons we’ve learned, and we remain committed to doing so. Marije Rhebergen, Director Impact and Communication: ‘We publish an annual impact report outlining our targets, results, and challenges. To maximise our insights, we engage with our investees to understand their impact results and their challenges as good as possible. Their constructive feedback is appreciated and taken into account to constantly improve our approach. We also regularly receive feedback and enquiries from other investors about our approach, which is valuable input to continuously improve our actions and mutually share learnings. Additionally, we share knowledge via social media, blogs, news outlets, and participate in panel discussions, all aimed at fostering an open dialogue among peers.’
Our dedication to transparency also underpins our commitment to continuing on the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) journey, despite proposals by the European Union to simplify the directives and delay their implementation. Michel Meerkerk, Director Finance & Legal, explains: ‘From the outset, our guiding principle has remained the same: to communicate both our achievements and setbacks with honesty, grounded in scientific research, to help drive meaningful change beyond our own family office. Given the complexity of CSRD, and the fact that it is not always tailored to investors, we believe it is important to share experiences and collectively explore how to navigate the process most effectively.’
A few years ago, we carried out a double materiality assessment, a first major step in CSRD compliance, in which we considered both impact materiality (the effect our activities have on people or the environment) and financial materiality (the financial risks and opportunities related to external evolutions such as climate change). The exercise covered the family office, VP Landbouw, VP Textile and VP Vastgoed.
Michel Meerkerk, Director Finance & Legal: ‘In late 2023 and continued in 2024, we conducted an in-depth stakeholder analysis involving 78 stakeholders (including employees, family members, direct investment representatives, peers, and NGOs). This process resulted in the identification of key material topics related to environmental, social, and governance themes.’
‘Moving forward, we will monitor data related to these material topics. Many of them were already on our radar. For instance, we have already established a roadmap with science-based targets to reduce our carbon footprint by 2030. In addition, several policies and action plans have been developed to support employee well-being, as part of our B Corp certification.
However, a notable gap remains: the value chains of certain sectors, in which we invest, require further analysis. There is still much to do, but we are heading in the right direction.’
In 2024, we managed to engage with 97% of our investments on impact, which is above the target of 90%.
As previously mentioned, we have a dialogue with our investments on their impact progress. But wherever possible, we go further by having a seat on a Supervisory Board, Investment Committee or Impact Board for closer engagement. ‘The aim is to put impact on the investment’s agenda at the highest level. More recently, we are also participating in impact boards where we share our expertise.’
Jobien Laurijssen, Impact Manager at VP Capital: ‘We have encouraged VP Landbouw to explore regenerative farming. For instance, we introduced them to new partners focused on specialising in perennial crops (e.g. Kernza®, Miscanthus) that contribute to improved soil quality. We also promoted the adoption of technological innovations (e.g. a weed-control robot) and have worked on making their energy supply more sustainable.’
Concerning VP Textile, we are actively stimulating sustainable innovation. ‘This includes the use of more sustainable materials, the further development of recycling technologies, and the phase-out of harmful chemicals (e.g. PFAS).’
The knowledge we contribute is not ours alone; it is enriched by expert lectures, collaboration with specialists, and the insights shared across our portfolio. For instance, at our annual event for our direct investments, our Sustainability Day, guest speaker Kees Klomp, gave a lecture on the link between corporate governance and ecological dependencies and recovery.
Our engagement is a two-way exchange: we learn from our investees as much as we share with them. This mutual dialogue allows ideas to flow freely and helps cultivate a space where impact strategies can take root and thrive.
We look beyond our own portfolio to advance the impact investing agenda. We are actively expanding our network by encouraging more family offices to embrace impact-driven strategies. This includes participating in – and hosting – events, as well as openly sharing our own journey on impact investing. In 2024, we contributed to several key gatherings, including the FBN NxG International Summit in The Hague, the family office impact course at the Centre for Sustainable finance and Private wealth in Zürich and the gathering of the Ahlström family to mark the Eva Ahlström Foundation’s 15th anniversary.
Over the past year, we engaged in impact-focused discussions with 72 peer family offices, reinforcing our commitment to collective learning and driving broader momentum within the sector.
-Anna Alanen, Chair of the board of the Eva Ahlström Foundation