Financial services and solutions provider Apex Group announced today the launch of Holtara, a new ESG solutions subsidiary, combining the firm’s ESG advisory and reporting platform, focused on serving private markets clients.

The launch of Holtara follows Apex’ acquisition last year of asset management service provider MJ Hudson’s Data & Analytics business, which included the firm’s ESG & Sustainability advisory services and platforms, and the recent launch by Apex of an enhanced set of ESG solutions targeting investors, asset managers and corporates.

Peter Hughes, Founder & CEO of Apex Group, said:

“This is an important milestone in our ESG journey as a Group, and through bringing together the existing Apex ESG offering, and the additional expertise brought in through the MJ Hudson acquisition, under one brand – we can deliver a powerful offering driven by a combination of people and platform.”

Under the new brand, Holtara will offer ESG advisory services with more than 80 specialists focused on topics ranging from carbon and climate, to impact, DEI and supply chain, to help clients determine material ESG themes for their portfolios and to set and manage ESG commitments, in addition to providing ESG Advantage, its platform aimed at streamlining ESG reporting to comply with global regulation and align with industry frameworks.

Holtara will be led by Emma Bickerstaffe, who has been appointed Managing Director and Head of ESG Product. Bickerstaffe joined Apex from MJ Hudson, where she had been serving as Managing Director, ESG & Sustainability. Prior to joining MJ Hudson in 2021, Bickerstaffe served as Managing Director of The Big Exchange, a partnership between asset managers including Standard Life Aberdeen, Columbia Threadneedle and AllianceBernstein offering impact funds to retail investors.

Bickerstaffe said:

“Recent years has seen greater political and shareholder scrutiny of ESG claims, resulting in the urgent need for accurate data, transparent reporting and meaningful sustainability commitments. Today we launch Holtara to ensure ESG can stand up to this scrutiny.

“We recognise the importance of combining platform and people services to not only simplify and streamline ESG reporting, but also to ensure expertise is on hand to help clients focus on the most material topics, verify collected data and prioritise initiatives to improve performance year on year.”