Mergers & Acquisitions has named six firms as honorees for the inaugural Private Equity Workplace Pioneers. The latest in our series of annual honors programs recognizes private equity firms who are pioneering a new approach to address shifts in the workplace in recent years.

The 2022 class of PE Workplace Pioneers have demonstrated leadership and innovation in transforming their workplace policies and environment to acknowledge changing demands in a post-pandemic world. They have also embraced the emphasis now being placed on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) by having policies in place at their firms, portfolio companies or both.

To determine the winners, we asked nominated firms to provide written answers to the following questions: How has your firm adjusted its workplace environment and policies in a post-pandemic world? Have you changed any policies toward in-person, virtual and hybrid work arrangements? What is your approach to recruiting and training new employees? How have you incorporated DEI into your firm’s culture going forward? Has the emphasis on ESG issues changed thinking on your workplace culture?

Links to our coverage, which highlights the answers of the firms recognized, is below. Introducing the 2022 PE Workplace Pioneers, listed in alphabetical order:

Altamont Capital Partners chose to use the pandemic as an opportunity to take the best of virtual and pre-pandemic in-person experiences to create its current hybrid environment.

Grant Avenue Capital leaned into building a flexible, inclusive workplace from the get go.

MiddleGround Capital invested in the growth of its human capital team so that the firm can conduct a thorough and efficient hiring and interviewing process internally.

Orangewood Partners employees members the option to work from home but when not traveling, most choose to be in its new office space

The Green Cities Company implemented an unlimited and flexible PTO policy in 2022.

TriSpan upgraded its offices in New York and also allowed employees to work remotely from anywhere in the world during the month of August.