The Drawdown Awards winners: Graeme Ardus

Graeme Ardus, head of ESG at Triton Partners, was named ESG Professional of the Year at The Drawdown Awards 2023

Under the ESG leadership of Graeme Ardus, Triton Partners has committed to reaching net zero by 2040 through the setting of Science-based targets, aligned with the Paris Agreement of keeping global warming under 1.5°C. It is one of the first private equity firms to formally do so.

Ardus also introduced Triton’s first sustainability-linked credit facility during the judging period. Triton V Fund was judged to have met five key ESG metrics by external third-party assessors, thus lowering fund borrowing costs. The firm subsequently set up a similar facility for its TSM II Fund.

Judges were also impressed by the firm self-certifying its two latest funds, Triton Fund V and Triton Smaller Mid-Cap II, under Article 8 of the SFDR. Ardus clearly believes ESG is a path to value creation, according to the judges. 

As a member of the global steering committee and co-chair of the European Network of Initiative Climat International, he has clearly established himself as one of the leading figures in European private equity ESG.

ESG Professional of the Year finalists

• Graeme Ardus – Triton Partners
• Bettina Denis – Revaia
• Stefanie Kneer – Three Hills Capital Partners
• Lucie Mills – NorthEdge
• Fabio Ranghino – Ambienta
• Robert Sroka – Abris Capital Partners
• Zoe VanderWolk – ETF Partners