Gladstone Investment is a business development company that focuses on acquiring mature, lower middle market companies with $4 million to $15 million in EBITDA, attractive fundamentals, and strong management teams. Portfolio company sectors include business/consumer services, consumer products, and manufacturing.
2024 Accomplishments
- This year, we conducted our second annual ESG survey of our portfolio companies. We designed unique surveys by sector, using a software provider that allows us to collect this data in a central location for easy insights and reporting. Survey questions include greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, employee engagement and diversity, supply chain management, data security, and board member diversity, among others. 88% of portfolio companies to which we sent our second annual ESG survey responded, and we plan to analyze our portfolio’s environmental impacts and benchmark our progress in future years.
Employee Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
We collect diversity data from employees, including age, gender pay gap, gender identity, international background and racial background. Each employee is an integral part of our team, and we seek to support the growth of each employee through training and mentorship.
Board of Directors Diversity
We have an Ethics, Nominating, and Corporate Governance Committee Charter that speaks to our hiring practices for board positions, including a focus on diversity. The committee considers in its review of nominees for director multiple factors which are assessed with the perceived needs of the company and the board at that point in time to maintain a diverse group. Upon the occurrence of any vacancy on the board, the committee will actively seek out highly qualified candidates, including female candidates and racially or ethnically diverse candidates, to include as qualified candidates from which an ultimate nominee for director is chosen. Our current Board is 38% female, 13% ethnically diverse, and 50% of directors are military veterans.
Corporate Governance Policies
All new hires are given copies of documents including a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, which they must review and provide written acknowledgement that they agree to follow the policies and procedures. The Code contains specific policies on bribery and corruption, cybersecurity, data protection and privacy, fiduciary duty, fraud, and political contributions. We have processes in place to implement training, compliance and disciplinary actions in case of breach.
The David and Lorna Gladstone Foundation
In 2011, our founder and CEO and his wife set up the David and Lorna Gladstone Foundation and since then have regularly given to charities. This foundation seeks to further the advancement of humankind and personal freedom through the charitable relief of the poor, distressed, and underprivileged; the advancement of religious freedom; the advancement of science and education; the elimination of prejudice and discrimination; and the prevention of cruelty to animals. Over the past six years, the Foundation has donated more than $1.7 million to various public charities associated with these causes.