Seasoned ESG professional Tamara Close joins the firm to lead new offering
September 10, 2024, NEW YORK – Petra Funds Group (“Petra”), a leading independent private funds administrator, today announced the launch of Petra’s Outsourced ESG Director Services, a new offering to provide private equity and private credit managers with industry-leading ESG and sustainability expertise. Tamara Close, a former PSP Investments senior executive and consultant to asset managers, will join the firm to lead the offering in North America.
Petra’s Outsourced ESG Director Services provides private funds with an experienced ESG professional on a fractional basis who can operate as an extension of the firm. The offering is designed to complement firms with in-house sustainability executives as well as those without. It also includes launch advisory for sustainable and impact funds and end-to-end support with ESG strategy, diligence, value creation, portfolio monitoring, exit planning, and LP and regulatory reporting.
“We continue to see a demand from private funds for sustainability expertise in North America driven by the evolving needs of limited partners and regulators,” said Stephen Coats, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Petra. “This offering is designed for funds that need additional support or are facing hurdles hiring in-house ESG talent by providing access – on a temporary or extended basis – to seasoned sustainability professionals who can support firms in a cost-effective way by implementing and executing best-in-class ESG programs and initiatives.”
“Our growing bench of experienced sustainability professionals has deep expertise across both the U.S. and European LP and regulatory landscape as well as the practical aspects of building out top decile responsible investment programs, all of which is key to providing value to our clients,” said Charlie Chipchase, Managing Director and Head of Europe at Petra. “Tamara’s experience as a capital allocator and advisor to leading GPs gives her very relevant insight into what LPs look for when it comes to the sustainability characteristics of the funds they invest in. She will be instrumental in the launch of this new offering – we are thrilled to welcome her to Petra.”
With over 25 years of combined experience in financial markets and ESG strategy, Tamara Close has worked with fund managers and asset owners across public and private asset classes. She joins Petra from Close Group Consulting, a global boutique ESG strategy and due diligence advisory firm which she founded in 2017. Prior to Close Group Consulting, she spent a decade in senior leadership roles at PSP Investments, the Canadian pension plan. Tamara has also held various investment management positions at the Bank of Montreal and Credit Lyonnais. She is an experienced board member and a member of the Global ESG Technical Committee for CFA Institute.
“I am excited to join Petra at a pivotal moment for ESG and sustainability in the private funds industry, where growing attention to the area requires more knowledge and experience than ever before,” said Tamara Close. “Petra’s momentum has been impressive to watch, and I look forward to working closely with our clients to deliver unmatched expertise and service to fund managers.”
