Corporate Social Responsibility

Investing with a sense of purpose

Since its founding in 1935, Meeschaert Group has been particularly focused on corporate social responsibility. Innovation drives performance, and at Meeschaert we give meaning to innovation.

Over the years, our corporate philosophy has given rise to a number of innovations in different areas:

1935: right from the start, our advisors have been remunerated independently of the recommendations they provide, to ensure complete objectivity

1941: creation of the first newsletter to advise individuals and families devastated by the crisis of 1929 and the war

1983: inception of the first-ever French ethical investment fund, the Group’s first ethical asset management solution

1994: creation of Fondation Alliances, which became Fondation Meeschaert pour l’Enfance in 2008, which attests to the Group’s desire to put philanthropy at the heart of its offer

1994: inception of the first shared return fund

2002: launch of the multi-family office, whose main mission is to “preserve wealth and family unity”

Internal initiatives are regularly put in place to allow employees to play an active role in this corporate project.

Employee consultation in 2011 led by the Great Place to Work® Institute: founded in 1991 in the United States, this institute strives to “help build a better society by assisting companies that have a good work environment.” A survey involving all employees led to reflection on the quality of employment relations within the company. Actions aiming to get employees involved in the creation of action plans for improvement were then proposed throughout the year.

A Bilan Carbone® (“Carbon Balance”) was created to limit our carbon footprint: the Bilan Carbone® attests to Meeschaert’s desire to adhere to a relevant and practical sustainable development policy. This analysis is intended to assess the greenhouse gas emissions generated by the Group and its activities. In 2013, the working group in charge of this project asked all employees to respond to an online survey intended to estimate the greenhouse gas emissions generated by their commute between their home and their place of work. In addition, each visitor to our offices in France, Belgium and New York was asked to fill out a brief questionnaire on their commute and mode of transportation. The results of the study will be used to establish an action plan for reducing the Group’s carbon footprint.

Employee-led projects.

In order to get everyone involved in the corporate social responsibility project, an internal committee regularly studies the projects proposed by employees with whom the company associates. These opportunities for altruistic action attest to and defend the Group’s values: Pride, Ambition, Initiative, Responsibility, Teamwork. The moments of exchange that they generate help to reinforce these values in all the teams.

Employees regularly give blood together at blood drives organized both inside and outside Paris by the Etablissement Français du Sang (French National Blood Service). Stemming from the personal initiative of one particular employee who was involved in this cause, this project is in line with Meeschaert Group’s commitment to collective engagement and brings together new and regular donors alike.

The 12^th edition of the Odysséa race, held on Sunday October 6, 2013, brought together 32,000 runners and walkers. Among them, several dozen Meeschaert employees, those accompanying them and their children, were proud to defend a cause that is important to them. This event for breast cancer research raised 420,000 euros, all of which went to the Institut Gustave Roussy (a partner foundation selected by the Group) and the Prolific association.