Corporate Social Responsibility
CSR policy
Kempen is committed to corporate social responsibility and sustainable business practices as these values are perfectly aligned with our own corporate values and the way we do business. We want to add long-term value to our employees, our clients and the community and environment we live in. Our organization encourages and embraces initiatives in this respect, often proposed by our own staff.
Our CSR policy is based on the permanent dialogue we conduct with all stakeholders. Kempen places great emphasis on ensuring that the organization achieves financial goals in harmony with all stakeholders. This policy is closely aligned with that of our parent company Van Lanschot.
Structure: four key areas
In order to ensure consistency in the implementation of the CSR approach, Kempen has divided the various aspects into four distinct key areas:
- CSR in our core activities (asset management, securities, corporate finance, investments)
- HR and sustainability policy (Human Resources policy)
- Environmental management and procurement (our office: always the green choice)
- Social environment (supporting community programmes, donations, volunteer projects
CSR in our core activities
Kempen's core activities together form one of the pillars of the organization’s CSR policy. Our core activities consist of asset management, securities trading, corporate finance en investments. Our general aim is to apply the principles of corporate social responsibility in all of our activities. This is reflected in our efforts to deliver high-quality products that are easily understandable and transparently priced. In addition, we avoid dealing with companies that appear to be involved in controversial weapons (such as cluster bombs, et cetera), for instance, or that are accused of systematic human rights violations. We shoulder our responsibilities also when it comes to attracting funds, by researching their origin. This is standard procedure in our customer due diligence policy.
Asset Management
Regardless of whether specialist products or client portfolios are involved, financial performance is the highest priority for Kempen Capital Management. At the same time, there is a growing public demand for accountability for the investment content which leads to performance. The method used to achieve results needs to meet criteria with respect to environmental policy, social policy and sound governance. The abbreviation ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) is often used to describe these criteria.
Securities
The history of Kempen dates as far back as the establishment of the Amsterdam Stock Exchange in 1903. However, our services are far from limited by national boundaries, as we serve clients around the globe, ranging from asset managers, pension funds and insurance companies to hedge funds, including virtually all of the largest institutional investors across the map. In our niche markets, Kempen ranks among the top in international securities dealing. This position enables us to take an active approach to implementing the principles of corporate social responsibility.
Corporate Finance
Kempen is one of the largest and most trend-setting organizations in the Netherlands in the field of mergers and acquisitions, capital market transactions and debt advisory services. Corporate social responsibility is at the core of these activities. Furthermore, providing support to companies specializing in cleantech is one of the core activities of this business unit.
Environmental management and procurement
Sustainable building
Kempen is based in the E Tower of the WTC at the South Axis (financial district) in Amsterdam. In September of 2011, this was the first office building in the Netherlands to receive the BREEAM-NL certificate for Existing Buildings and Use. Even as early as in 2001, during the design phase of this office building, which is the property of ING Real Estate, every option was explored to optimize the green, sustainable performance of the building.
Energy efficiency
Our office building is A energy efficiency rated, indicating that it performs very well in terms of energy efficiency. The energy we use is generated by green power. Our procurement policy invariably favours the green choice; our preference goes out to sustainable suppliers. Kempen staff work in a paperless office environment as far as possible. If we do need to print out documents, we use recycled paper and multifunctional printers requiring no toner whatsoever. Our waste products are separated in the workplace. For this purpose, Kempen has set up an alliance with EcoSmart, a company specializing in sustainable, highly efficient waste management systems.
Accessibility
Social environment
To name an example, a group of our employees have launched a social enterprise to offer staff members the opportunity to support charitable causes and reach out to the community in a concerted effort. This social enterprise provides a platform for staff members to share ideas and sign up for community projects and charities. Kempen contributes towards this social enterprise in an alliance with other organizations, including Stichting Zingeving Zuidas – Humanizing the Financial District.
HR and sustainability policy
Guiding principle
Kempen's ambition is to be a world-class player in our disciplines and to maintain lasting business relationships with our clients. We rely on the commitment and dedication of our staff to realize these ambitions.
The Human Resources sustainability policy is aimed at providing a safe and encouraging work environment that offers equal opportunities and ensures that our employees feel valued, respected and empowered to perform to the best of their abilities. This stimulating environment enables them to contribute greatly to the success of our organization.
Key objectives
The HR sustainability policy contains a large number of key focal points. We have established the following key objectives:
Training and development
We offer targeted training programmes to support our staff in offering high-quality services. Setting and helping people to achieve sound personal development objectives contributes to this goal. Our individual personal development plans are an important tool in this respect.
Leadership and corporate culture
Kempen’s values are at the heart of our collaborative structure – both within the organization and with external parties. Executives are expected to lead by example. Using our core values as a touchstone helps to create a motivating, safe work environment and therefore contributes to Kempen’s success.
Environmental awareness
Even HR activities can impact our environment – in terms of paper use or transport, for instance. We continually look for ways to reduce our ecological footprint.
To achieve the above key objectives, tools are implemented by the HR department, the management team and the staff to monitor the sustainable qualities of the HR policy.