2019 Breckinridge Sustainability Report - Report - Page 12
OUR MATERIALITY MAP COMMITMENT
Our Materiality Map keeps us focused on the
most-material sustainability issues we face.
In 2017, Breckinridge created a road map to focus our sustainability efforts
on what’s most material at the firm. In developing our Map, our Sustainability
Committee examined the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board
(SASB)’s list of the material nonfinancial factors that drive performance in
investment management firms. From there, the Committee selected the
most-aligned factors and surveyed Breckinridge stakeholders to prioritize
them. The resulting Materiality Map is intended to guide our focus and
provide measurable standards for our corporate sustainability initiatives.
A CONVERSATION WITH BRECKINRIDGE’S SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTOR
Q: How does the Map make
sustainability at Breckinridge more
intentional?
A: The Map helps us to prioritize.
Using the SASB framework for asset
management and soliciting input
from our stakeholders, we were able
Timothy Coffin
to prioritize the sustainability factors
Director of
that have the most-material impact
Sustainability
on our firm. If you look at our Map and
factors such as Business Ethics, Human
Capital Management and Customer Experience, you will see
that we’ve been able to structure and prioritize our plan for
sustainability. As we often say, it’s about turning the same ESG
lens we use for our bond issuers back onto ourselves.
Q: What were some of the key initiatives driven by the Map
in 2018?
A: Our Sustainability Committee continuously works to find
ways to address the factors outlined in our Materiality Map.
In 2018, some of our key initiatives revolved around Corporate
Citizenship. We hosted the most internal events in one year
in the firm’s history, including workshops on climate change,
sustainable investing and our Ambassador Program.
In addition, Breckinridge remained committed to collaborating
with our peers and generating thought leadership, as we
believe it improves the market for all participants. We held
9
two B Corp B Local Boston events and continued to encourage
growth of the local B Corp community. We also prioritized
climate change in our advocacy efforts.
Finally, as our firm has continued to grow, the management
of human capital has become more essential. As such, the
Sustainability Committee recommended the appointment of a
human resources director, a position that was filled at the end
of 2018.
Q: Can you elaborate on how the Map will drive the firm in
the future?
A: Our Materiality Map continues to keep Breckinridge focused
on—and drive conversations about—the material sustainability
themes we face. Our commitment to the Map and to corporate
sustainability as a whole is driven by the top and is buttressed
by our articles of incorporation as a Benefit Corporation. Our
Map distills ongoing areas of focus and grounds us. It will help
drive our business decisions as we grow.
I look at the Map as a “stewardship road map.” It helps keep
our sightlines further out on the horizon, to make sure we’re
innovating and evolving in a way that’s in the best interest of
our clients, our employees and our communities. Just as our
analysts are always taking a medium- to long-term perspective
on our investments, the Map helps our Sustainability Committee
take that same longer-term perspective on the firm, to benefit
our stakeholders. In sum, the Map is helping us stay faithful to
an overall culture of long-term thinking and sustainability.