Alexforbes bridges ESG analysis gap with Paragon Impact acquisition
Alexforbes has acquired the award-winning Paragon Impact technology to enhance its environmental, social and governance (ESG) analysis capabilities.
Organisations face significant challenges due to increased regulatory oversight and the need for comprehensive sustainability strategies. However, integrating ESG aspects into business strategies presents numerous opportunities for future growth. Globally, there is a growing emphasis on impact. This shift expands sustainability management and reporting from a traditional focus on financial prospects to include the organisation’s impact on society and the environment. The recently published Draft King V Code on Corporate Governance for South Africa, 2025, underscores the importance of double materiality, recommending sustainability disclosures that address both financial and impact materiality. This acquisition aims to bridge the gap, helping institutions understand their ESG factors and their broader impact on people and the environment.
Developed by Jersey-based Paragon Impact Limited, the Paragon Impact platform offers robust and verifiable impact assessments aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). It integrates the latest ESG and impact standards into a single, consolidated system, enhancing value creation through data analysis and ensuring compliance with evolving ESG regulations. The platform enables organisations to monitor and report their net impact credibly, supporting performance against all relevant 17 UN SDGs with an independent SDG impact grading.
Alexforbes launched its Impact Advisory offering in 2024, evolving its consulting suite for retirement funds and corporates to enhance sustainability maturity and stakeholder impact evaluation. The acquisition of the Paragon Impact platform adds significant depth to Alexforbes’ expanding sustainability advisory services, which have attracted industry-wide recognition and awards.
Carina Wessels, Executive for Sustainability at Alexforbes stated: ‘Transitioning from the conventional two-dimensional ESG paradigm to a multi-dimensional perspective that incorporates the impact of an organisation on people and the planet, not only supports our strategic intent to have real-world impact but aligns perfectly with the regulatory direction and changing stakeholder expectations. This marks a clear shift from insight to impact.’
Brett Wallington, Founder and CEO of Paragon Impact Limited commented: ‘Combining Alexforbes’ capabilities and insights with our deep understanding of global ESG frameworks and impact, including the nuances for South Africa, will further enhance the unique Paragon solution. This will serve as a key differentiator for the Alexforbes Impact Advisory services.’
Wessels further explained: ‘In addition to enhancing our services to retirement funds and corporate clients, the Paragon Impact platform enables asset managers globally to pivot from traditional ESG reporting and grading systems to monitoring, managing and reporting on impact. A Paragon SDG Impact grading, powered by Alexforbes, provides this perspective at both individual asset and portfolio levels, enabling comparability and actual impact progress monitoring over time. This effectively responds to increasing pressure from regulators and institutional investors to demonstrate real-world impact while ensuring competitive and sustainable returns. The platform unlocks opportunities for investing in the future and demonstrating impact with credibility. Paragon SDG Impact gradings will be independently provided through Alexforbes Paragon Impact Limited.’
Wessels concluded: ‘This acquisition represents a significant leap forward in differentiating the Alexforbes Impact Advisory offering, while expanding into the global sustainability advisory market.’
