How Waystone is embedding sustainability into its DNA

In just two years, the company has evolved from overseeing ESG for client funds to embedding sustainability across its own operations. Guided by leadership, data, and the right technology, Waystone is showing that responsible growth and commercial success can go hand in hand.

From governance to global responsibility

At first glance, governance and compliance might seem far removed from climate action. Yet for Waystone, sustainability was a natural extension of its core expertise in oversight and responsibility.

“We had a strong foundation in ESG fund oversight, but we recognised that we needed to do more in terms of our own corporate sustainability and what we stand for as a global company,” says Brett Sanderson, Group Head of Sustainability at Waystone.

The company began with a double materiality assessment to identify the issues most relevant to its business and stakeholders. It then established a Group Sustainability Policy and built a dedicated sustainability function to drive strategy and implementation.

An internal sustainability hub and a network of more than 40 Sustainability Champions now connect teams across offices to embed sustainability thinking into everyday operations.

Making sustainability part of the business strategy

“Our investors are key stakeholders and have strongly supported our sustainability journey,” says Sanderson. “Their expectations come from their own investors, so by aligning with them, we are also aligning further down the value chain.”

Reporting under investor frameworks for the past three years has strengthened accountability and revealed clear areas for improvement. This alignment has also ensured that sustainability is embedded in Waystone’s broader business strategy.

“Sustainability has been embedded in our services for many years, with a strong emphasis on the oversight of client funds, however, what we stood for as a global corporate organisation was less clearly defined”, explains Sanderson. “By grounding our corporate sustainability strategy in Responsible Growth, one of Waystone’s four core pillars, we now have a clear and consistent direction that unites our global business behind a common approach.”

This integration has provided clear direction from leadership and ensured that Waystone’s sustainability efforts are relevant, data-driven, and meaningful for both stakeholders and employees.

Turning ESG data into decisions and value creation

When Waystone began measuring its carbon footprint, it turned to the Position Green platform to build its ESG data infrastructure. The platform provided early visibility into blind spots and opportunities to improve data quality. Its workflows meant data collection was low touch from the outset, minimising burden on colleagues.

With three years of high quality data captured and managed through Position Green, Waystone can now present credible numbers to stakeholders, strengthening confidence in its sustainability strategy. The resulting footprint metrics have helped identify the most material emissions across a business spanning more than 20 offices around the globe, and have supported constructive dialogue with landlords on improving building efficiency, and provided the foundation for integrating sustainability requirements into Waystone’s supply chain.

“Having Position Green from the outset was a real asset,” says Sanderson. “It allowed us to develop a comprehensive carbon footprint quickly and engage colleagues early in the process. It is powerful to speak in numbers rather than generalities. Our data now gives us clear pathways for decarbonisation and the ability to make resource-efficient decisions.

“Our data now gives us clear pathways for decarbonisation and the ability to make resource-efficient decisions.”

Brett Sanderson, Group Head of Sustainability, Waystone

With a strong understanding of our footprint, targets, and operational levers, we can now focus resources where they will have the greatest impact, such as planning the transition of offices to renewable electricity and reducing commuting emissions through targeted staff support programmes.”

Using Position Green has turned ESG reporting from a compliance task into a strategic value driver. “We’ve moved beyond a tick-box approach,” says Sanderson. “We can now provide stakeholders with detailed data on Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions and demonstrate real progress over time.”

With granular emissions data, Waystone can quantify progress and share credible metrics with clients, strengthening trust and attracting new mandates from sustainability-focused investors. This transparency reinforces Waystone’s reputation as a responsible and forward-looking partner in the asset management industry.

Advisory partnership that accelerates progress

For Waystone, combining Position Green’s esg platform with its advisory services was a natural step. By integrating both, the company turned complex ESG reporting into an efficient process for validation and decision-making.

“It was a no-brainer to combine both,” Sanderson explains. “Having one team with end-to-end knowledge of our operations and carbon footprint created real efficiency. The advisory team already understood our context and could offer tailored advice from the start, as if they were part of the Waystone team.”

That close collaboration proved crucial during Waystone’s Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) process. With Position Green’s guidance, the company validated its science-based targets in record time, providing a clear framework for long-term decarbonization. 

Advice for companies: turn ESG questions into opportunity

As stakeholder expectations evolve, Brett Sanderson encourages companies to view ESG engagement as a source of insight rather than obligation.

Treat ESG questions as intelligence: Stakeholder queries highlight what matters to the market and where expectations are heading. Understanding the motivations behind those questions provides early signals of shifting priorities.

Engage with purpose: Responding thoughtfully to clients, investors, and partners builds trust and demonstrates accountability. It shows a willingness to collaborate and evolve.

Translate insight into progress

Use what you learn to shape decisions, sharpen priorities, and stay ahead of emerging trends. Engagement should lead to action that benefits both sustainability and the business.

By turning ESG data into strategic decisions, Waystone is showing how sustainability can deliver both accountability and business value, redefining responsible growth in the asset management industry.

Explore how your company can turn sustainability into lasting value

Position Green’s ESG platform is built to help forward-thinking companies like Waystone turn sustainability ambition into long-term business value. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to scale your impact, the platform is designed to support your journey with clarity, confidence and control.