Manchester has always been a city shaped by transformation. From industrial powerhouse to modern knowledge economy, its ability to reinvent itself has underpinned decades of growth. Today, the city is at the heart of another shift, one where sustainability, private capital and regional economic resilience are becoming increasingly intertwined.
It’s against this backdrop that Flotilla has appointed Claire Richards as Principal Sustainability Consultant, to launch its Manchester base, help lead the company’s growth across the North West and deepen its work with private equity firms and high-growth businesses.
Manchester’s private equity ecosystem is maturing, fast
Manchester’s private equity and investment landscape has evolved significantly in recent years. With an expanding base of PE firms, advisers and portfolio companies rooted outside London, the region now plays a critical role in funding growth across the UK economy.
But as the market matures, expectations are rising. ESG has moved beyond a reporting requirement and is increasingly shaping investment decisions, value creation plans and exit readiness, particularly for mid-market PE and founder-led businesses.
Claire brings first-hand experience of this shift. With significant experience in sustainability consulting and a recent secondment managing the sustainability team at Palatine Private Equity, she has worked directly inside investor-led environments where ESG is embedded into decision-making, not bolted on.
“The opportunity for ESG lies in refocusing it on financial materiality and value creation,” Claire explains. “When applied through a materiality lens, ESG becomes critical to identifying sector-specific risks and opportunities that directly impact performance.”
ESG as an economic lever, not a compliance exercise
For Manchester-based PE firms and their portfolios, ESG is increasingly a commercial tool. From winning public-sector contracts to strengthening supply chains and attracting talent, sustainability performance is becoming part of how businesses compete and grow.
Claire’s perspective reflects this reality. Her experience spans both large corporates, including secondments to Tesco and Amazon, and SMEs navigating the practical challenges of ESG delivery with limited resource.
This dual lens underpins Flotilla’s approach: an award-winning ESG technology platform, backed by expert advisory, enabling private equity firms and their portfolios to embed responsible investment and drive long-term value creation.
“Flotilla’s platform goes beyond good data management, it enables impactful business action,” Claire says. “ESG only creates value when it moves from reporting into delivery.”
For private equity, this matters. Investors need consistent insight across portfolios, while portfolio companies need flexibility, robust ESG frameworks without unnecessary complexity.
Why Manchester matters to Flotilla’s growth
Manchester isn’t just a location choice. It reflects how Flotilla sees the future of ESG delivery: regional, relationship-led and commercially grounded.
Claire is already deeply embedded in the local sustainability ecosystem as an active member of B Local Manchester and a trained B Leader, bringing strong alignment with Flotilla’s B Corp values.
“Manchester’s collaborative culture makes it a strong environment for turning sustainability ambition into action,” Claire notes. “PE and professional services firms here increasingly see sustainability as a way to build resilience and long-term value, not just manage risk.”
This collaborative mindset is critical as sustainability continues to shape regional growth. As highlighted by Greater Manchester’s political and business leadership, green industries, sustainable finance and skills development are central to the city’s economic strategy, creating opportunities for investors and businesses willing to take a strategic approach. We look forward to attending Andy Burnham’s 8th Green Summit next month at its new Co-op Live venue, bringing together GM organisations and communities to drive climate action.
Strengthening Flotilla’s advisory capability in the North West
Claire’s appointment also marks a strategic step in strengthening Flotilla’s integrated platform and advisory offering. Based in Manchester, she will support private equity clients and their portfolios while helping grow Flotilla’s client base across the North West.
This local presence enables deeper partnerships, faster insight and more hands-on support, particularly valuable for founder-led and high-growth businesses navigating ESG expectations alongside ambitious growth plans.
As Flotilla’s Founder & CEO John Rastrick puts it:
“Claire brings deep experience across ESG strategy, sustainable finance and private equity, and her focus on practical, commercial ESG aligns strongly with where our clients are heading.”
Looking ahead
As Manchester’s economy evolves, ESG is becoming a defining factor in investment and long-term value creation.
With Claire Richards leading Flotilla’s expansion in the region, the focus is on helping private equity firms and businesses across the North West use ESG to build resilience, drive growth and create lasting competitive advantage.
Get in touch with Claire:
Claire.richards@flotillaworld.com
