London based sustainability tech provider drives growth with significant investment

Sedex, a London based sustainability data and technology provider, has entered into a minority investment with LDC, a private equity investor and part of Lloyds Banking Group.

The investment will support Sedex’s organic growth strategy to drive sustainability in supply chains globally. Businesses globally face a rapidly evolving landscape of sustainability-related demands, from new regulation to comprehensive reporting balanced alongside operational pressures.

Sedex’s technology platform, tools and consultancy services enable organisations to assess, manage and report on ESG risks and impacts across their supply chains, as part of meeting these demands.

Founded in 2004 and based in London, Sedex now employs over 200 people across offices in the UK, Australia, Chile, China, India and the US. Its 75,000-strong membership network spans 170 countries and includes leading companies such as Reckitt, Sainsbury’s, KFC, Nestlé, Molson Coors, Japan Airlines, John Lewis Partnership and Unilever.

With LDC’s input, Sedex will further invest in developing its platform, tools and professional services, leveraging the power of data and technology for its members’ benefit and fuelling its international expansion plans.

Sedex is also establishing a Special Purpose Trust to maintain the company’s founding purpose and stated mission, to make global supply chains more socially and environmentally sustainable. The transaction was led by Investment Director Joe Tager, investment manager Dan Gluckman and Investment Executive Francesca Speke at LDC in London.

LDC is backing the existing management team, with Joe Tager, LDC CEO Toby Rougier, and software expert David Murray joining Sedex’s Board as Non-Executive Directors. Steven Esom will continue as Sedex’s Chair.

Steven Esom, chair of the Sedex Board, commented: “Over the last 20 years, Sedex has provided businesses with the tools to build ever-greater knowledge of the places, people, and practices in their supply chains.

“Our members now look to us to aid them across the wider sustainability agenda. With LDC, we can do this faster and more effectively. We are delighted to partner with them - it is fantastic to see Sedex’s potential recognised in this way.”

Jon Hancock, Sedex CEO, added: “Sedex has developed a uniquely powerful offering that enables companies around the world to build effective supply chain sustainability strategies and understand on-the-ground conditions at suppliers’ sites. Our members now use Sedex’s tools in tracking and evidencing performance against their ESG goals.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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