KKR forms alliance with anti-corruption group

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts has entered into a three year agreement with Transparency International that will allow the advocacy group to work with select portfolio companies. 

The relationship is the first of its kind between a private equity firm and the global anti-corruption organisation, according to a statement. 

KKR principal Elizabeth Seeger described the relationship as providing Transparency International access to KKR meetings with portfolio companies on responsible investment practices. KKR will have direct access to Transparency International research, and regularly communicate with the advocacy group on anti-corruption best practices.  

The move is part of a wider commitment to higher environmental, social and corporate governance (or ESG) standards KKR has committed to over recent years. Other external partners KKR has formed relationships with include the Business for Social Responsibility, in the field of protection of human rights in the supply chain, and with the Environmental Defense Fund, which helped KKR form the environmentally focused Green Portfolio Program. 

A spokesperson for Transparency International described the partnership as a welcome development in the organisation’s effort to reach more private-sector companies.