Our Strategy
The Equator Principles (EP) Association launched its first ever Strategy at its Annual General Meeting in October 2020. This high-level statement (below) sets out the direction of travel for the Equator Principles over the next few years and demonstrates the collective willingness of Equator Principles Financial Institutions (EPFIs) to continually improve.
The Strategy guides the program of work and enable EPFIs and wider stakeholders to have a clear understanding of where the Equator Principles is headed and, as such, where to focus its attention and resources. The Strategy is aspirational and ambitious and, most importantly, is supported each year by tangible actions.
Accountability
Ambition
Adapt
People
Quality
Collaboration
Vision
Governance and Management
The Equator Principles (EP) Association was the unincorporated association of member Equator Principles Financial Institutions (EPFIs) whose object was the management, administration and development of the Equator Principles. Formed on 1 July 2010, the EP Association was instituted to ensure long-term viability and ease of management of the member EPFIs.
As of 1 January 2024 the Equator Principles Association was replaced by a new legal structure and the Equator Principles are now legally represented by Equator Principles Limited.
The Equator Principles are still governed by a Steering Committee, which is supported by the Office of the Equator Principles. Contracting on behalf of the Equator Principles is carried out by Equator Principles Limited. The governance structure is illustrated below.
Equator Principles Steering Committee
The Steering Committee co-ordinates management and development of the Equator Principles on behalf of the Signatories to the Equator Principles. The Steering Committee is elected by the Signatories to the Equator Principles.
Current members of the EP Steering Committee (as from November 2024) are listed below.
REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES:
- Europe – EIFO (Denmark’s Export and Investment Fund)
- Latin America – BTG Pactual
- Asia-Oceania – MUFG Bank, Ltd & Export Finance Australia
- North America – Export Development Canada
- Middle East & Africa – Mauritius Commercial Bank
MANAGEMENT SUPPORT:
- ING Bank (Chair)
- UK Export Finance
Office of the Equator Principles
EP CEO
In May 2023, the Steering Committee appointed the Equator Principles’ first CEO, Max Griffin. As CEO, Max is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of the Equator Principles, on behalf of the Steering Committee, and will deliver key initiatives set in the annual work plan including:
- supporting the Chair and Steering Committee on governance, management structure and other strategic management issues;
- technical leadership for the development and provision of guidance for the Equator Principles;
- engaging and overseeing the work of third-party service providers and consultants;
- reviewing prospective EPFIs and implementation of recent joiners;
- supporting on external relations with various supranational bodies, regulators and CSOs, as required;
- identifying opportunities for the Equator Principles to engage and influence wider E&S sector initiatives, and providing input, as appropriate.
Max Griffin, EP CEO
EP Secretariat
The EP Secretariat is responsible for the day-to-day management and administration of the Equator Principles and provides a wide variety of services to the Signatories, Steering Committee and Chair, and CEO. These include:
- governance support to the EP Steering Committee, Regions and Working Groups;
- managing internal and external communications (including the EP website);
- organisation and facilitation of EP events;
- management of the Signatory application process;
- oversight of all EPFI reporting; and
- all other tasks required to support effective day-to-day running of the Equator Principles, including third party procurement, stakeholder engagement and database management.
The Secretariat comprises 2.5 FTE across 4 part-time team members, located in Europe, South America and Asia.