AvH always pursues a long-term vision with ESG as part of its investment philosophy ‘Your partner for sustainable growth’.

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Materiality analysis
In 2019, AvH performed an analysis to determine its material ESG risks and opportunities. The materiality matrix revealed four themes that have a great impact on the group’s business and at the same time are rated highly by the stakeholders.
- Responsible shareholding: interaction with the participations to increase the ESG impact
- Business ethics: compliance with the applicable laws and regulations (including the legal framework in the matter of anti-corruption), internal guidelines, group values such as human rights, integrity, partnership, teamwork, independence, entrepreneurship, sustainability and long-term vision
- Corporate governance: organized control and monitoring of the strategy being pursued
- Solvency and long-term return: focus on financially sustainable business models with appropriate balance sheet structures
Principles for responsible investment
AvH intends to implement the Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI), the framework of the United Nations that works on a more sustainable financial system, from 2020 onwards in order to support the ESG aspects in its relations with the participations. AvH was already inspired by this when drawing up this annual report for the 2019 financial year.
AvH as an investment company
The corporate values that AvH has held in high esteem since its inception in 1876 are a long-term vision, entrepreneurial spirit, integrity, partnership, sustainability, respect, independence and teamwork. Sustainable growth is thereby paramount, with attention being paid to a strong competitive position and long-term profitability. AvH thereby also positions itself as a sustainable investor.
AvH as a responsible shareholder
AvH considers its role as a responsible shareholder as one of its most important levers in the context of its ESG policy. This is in line with the objectives of SDG 16, which supervise good governance.
AvH has analysed its portfolio of participations on the basis of various parameters that may indicate a potentially material ESG impact for AvH. Examples of this are the relative investment value in relation to all the assets that AvH manages, whether or not they are listed on the stock exchange, or special attention by stakeholders to a specific problem or company. Based on this analysis, DEME, CFE, Delen Private Bank, Bank J.Van Breda & C° and SIPEF are considered to be material for AvH.
Community and culture
Ackermans & van Haaren has been supporting projects of a scientific and socio-cultural nature, which ideally have a link with the Antwerp region. If it is meaningful and possible, AvH thereby aims to build a long-term relationship with the partners. After all, sustainability and cooperation are strongly intertwined in the DNA of the group!
As a diversified investment company, AvH operates a business model of sustainable growth, as illustrated in its baseline ‘Your partner for sustainable growth’.
As a responsible investor, AvH focuses in a structured manner on ESG. Sustainability is systematically used as an investment criterion. Progress is measured by core KPIs. AvH is also formally a member of the UN PRI initiative, and the principles of UN PRI in the area of responsible investment are applied.
Having the right policies and processes on matters relevant for ESG is one of the key priorities for AvH. All main indicators in this respect increased in 2023: 99% of the investment portfolio (expressed as a percentage of consolidated shareholders’ equity) have a corporate governance charter, 94% a relevant ESG policy, 85% an appropriate innovation strategy and 97% an integrity policy.
With the support of AvH, group companies actively define and reassess their goals included in these policies, focusing on the material ESG topics linked to their corporate strategy. While continuing to monitor the evolution of the CO2 -footprint of its group companies, AvH defined the ambition that, as of 2025, 80% of its investment portfolio will have a CO2 reduction plan towards 2030.
Group companies continued investing in environmental initiatives such as renewable energy, sustainable buildings or agriculture. These efforts, while technically challenging and costly, lead to more innovative and sustainable product offerings. AvH’s EU Taxonomy strong alignment underscores this positive impact. The AvH group stands out thanks to the substantial portion of its turnover (27%) and investments (43%) which are already aligned with this demanding framework.