We have published our second annual Impact Report, underscoring Clearwater’s commitment to embedding Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles at the heart of its operations and client services.
The report reflects a year of record growth combined with a sustained focus on responsible practices that create value for all stakeholders. Long-term success is presented not only as strong financial performance but also as transparency, accountability and sustainable growth, principles that guide how we operate and advise clients.
It also highlights the need to address continuing environmental and social challenges, reinforcing our determination to make a positive impact on colleagues, clients, and the wider community while building a resilient, responsible, and future-ready organisation.
A strategy built on four pillars
Our ESG and Impact Strategy is designed to deliver measurable change for people and planet. Four key pillars guide the firm’s efforts:
Our FY24/25 ESG highlights at a glance
Community impact at scale
Through its volunteering programme, we have expanded opportunities for employees to contribute to social value initiatives:
- 20 hours of volunteering each year per employee
- 150+ volunteering opportunities offered over the last two years
- 52% of employees took part in volunteering during FY25
We’ve continued to support long-term partners including EVERFI and Dallaglio RugbyWorks, and we’ve launched a new partnership with Access Sport to increase opportunities for young people with disabilities to take part in community sports.
Diversity, equity & inclusion
We have also made strong progress on its DE&I goals. Set in 2022, the target to increase ethnic diversity across our team from 9% to 14% by 2026 has already been achieved, one year early. We will now focus on improving representation in senior roles and supporting career progression for under-represented minorities.
Leading ESG in corporate finance
ESG is increasingly critical in M&A, and we have positioned ourselves as a leader in this space. Over the past year, our ESG team have:
- Supported 70+ clients through the M&A process, with a deal value of £2bn+
- Worked across 10+ sectors
- Won Corporate Finance House of the Year at the Real Deals ESG Awards 2024
“At Clearwater, we recognise the significance of ESG principles in contemporary business practices. We believe that ESG is a fundamental part of our identity and philosophy, and it plays a crucial role in how we assist our clients.”
Our second Impact Report reflects a business that not only delivers market-leading results but does so responsibly, with a clear vision for a sustainable future.
“I’m incredibly proud of how deeply our ESG and Impact strategy is now embedded across Clearwater. The progress we’ve made, particularly through our social-mobility initiatives, shows just how much positive change is possible when the whole team is engaged and committed.
What excites me most is that we’re not only making a difference in our own business, but also helping clients do the same. As the only mid-market corporate finance house to fully integrate ESG into the transaction process, we’re partnering with fantastic clients to leverage ESG as a real driver of value.”
Our second Impact Report reflects a business that not only delivers market-leading results but does so responsibly, with a clear vision for a sustainable future.
