Before investment · Stage 1 of 3
Identify what really matters before you invest
Understand the real risks for this type of business in this context, then decide what should happen before, or soon after, investment.
The business need
Most diligence looks back. We look forward.
Background checks tell you about people and past events. Policies and questionnaires show what the company says it has in place. We look at what the business does, not only what it says it has. We then assess whether its controls, culture and decision-making fit the risks it will face after investment.
A clean history does not mean the next stage is low risk.
Our method
Context, controls and culture
Context helps us understand the risks ahead, controls tell us what's actually in place, and culture shows us how decisions really get made. Together, they shape what is proportionate for the business.
Business todayAfter investment
- ContextThe risks ahead
- ControlsWhat is actually needed
- CultureHow decisions get made
What we provide
A practical action plan
A prioritised action plan turns the assessment into clear steps, with named owners, supporting resources, deliverables and timeframes. It gives the investor and business a workable route from the current position to where the business needs to be.
Priority and action
Named owner
Supporting resources
Expected deliverable
Agreed timeframe
Where we help
How you can work with us
We can compare early opportunities, assess a specific investment or review and improve your existing approach.
Shape a pipeline
Assess an investment
Improve an approach
Illustrative example
Same market and sector, different risks
How can investors compare integrity risk in two companies in the same sector?
Excellence in asking hard questions in sensitive ways and gaining the trust of investees.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How is Ethics Insight different from standard due diligence or compliance review?
Most diligence looks back. Ethics Insight looks forward. The work combines documents, data, interviews, operating context and experienced judgement, then looks beyond whether policies exist to whether controls, culture and decision-making fit the risks ahead.
When can Ethics Insight help in the investment lifecycle?
Ethics Insight helps before investment, during active ownership, at exit readiness, and at any stage when a concern is raised. The first three routes form the core lifecycle. “When something goes wrong” sits alongside them because a concern, audit finding or allegation can surface at any point.
What happens after we get in touch?
Ethics Insight reviews what you send and replies with a useful next step, not an automated sequence. If appropriate, the next step is a 30-minute call to understand the situation and what you need next. Then Ethics Insight tells you what it thinks you need next, whether that is something it provides or a recommendation.
Explore
Read more about the approach
Beyond the Surface
A short guide to getting past prepared answers and understanding how a business works in practice.
Investment Interviews: Did They Just Say That?
Examples of where useful answers can surface and when a follow-up question may be needed.
Is it worth a conversation?
You may have a live opportunity, or you may be considering whether this could improve your current approach. Tell us what you are trying to understand. We will listen, ask a few questions and tell you whether we can help.
Please do not send names, allegations or sensitive evidence through the website.