Bermudian-based global financial services provider Apex Group Ltd has signified its commitment to become a leader in the ESG (environmental, social and governance) investment services space.

Apex has announced the launch of a new ESG data and rating service, Apex GreenLight ESG Ratings, and has appointed a global head of ESG product to drive development.

As Apex continues to expand its capabilities to meet client demand across financial services the launch of GreenLight demonstrates the firm’s ongoing focus on ESG innovation, the company said. GreenLight will deliver an in-house developed ESG rating evaluating privately held companies globally, unlocking unique market intelligence and delivering unprecedented access to a previously opaque asset class.

Amara Goeree has been appointed as the group’s global head of ESG product and will lead the firm’s product development and go-to-market strategy, the company said. Ms Goeree is a sustainability specialist with almost a decade’s experience in ESG innovation within financial services.

Most recently, she was head of corporate sustainability and responsible investment at Julius Baer, the private bank. She also acted as deputy head of the team leading the ESG ratings process for the Dow Jones sustainability index at RobecoSAM AG.

To further show its commitment to ESG, Apex is currently in the process of becoming a UN Principles for Responsible Investment signatory, the company said.

Peter Hughes, founder and chief executive officer of Apex Group Ltd, said: “This product builds on our leading position in the private equity and real estate administration sector where data analytics is one of our key differentiators. GreenLight will deliver insights into private companies that investors were unable to access previously.”

He added: “For Apex, this product is just the start of the ESG revolution we hope to pioneer across financial services, enabling us to make a positive impact on the world. We envision a future in which a company’s ESG score is as important as its credit score.”

Ms Goeree said: “Over the course of my career, I’ve seen ESG and sustainable finance develop from a niche and conviction-based topic into a top priority for all investment firms.

“This new framework will pave the way for all types of companies, across all industries, to understand and accurately assess their ESG contribution.”

Established in Bermuda in 2003, Apex has more than 40 offices worldwide and 3,000 employees. The company has a broad range of clients spanning asset management, allocators and financial institutions.