Integrating Stewardship throughout the investment process using Foresight’s ESG Questionnaire

Background Bloemteknik (Bloem):

Bloem, founded in 2023 and based in Cardiff, develops precision LED lighting systems for commercial greenhouses and vertical farms. Its modular technology improves crop yields, improves energy efficiency and supports lower‑carbon food production. Bloem has rapidly scaled internationally, deploying over 25,000 fixtures.

Foresight invested £2.5 million in 2025 through the British Business Bank’s Investment Fund for Wales and Foresight’s Growth venture capital trusts (VCTs).

Objective:

To identify and address material operational risks early in the investment process and strengthen Bloem’s supply‑chain resilience as the company scales internationally.

Stewardship Activity:

As part of pre‑investment due diligence, Bloem underwent Foresight’s due diligence, which assesses material risks and opportunities, double materiality topics, climate expectations, governance criteria and sustainability key performance indicators.

The ESG assessment highlighted a significant concentration risk, including a particular reliance on a single specialist supplier of core LED fixtures and drivers in China. Given geopolitical uncertainty and tariff exposure, the issue was deemed material to business continuity and growth. Foresight’s Private Equity Investment Committee integrated these findings into governance conditions, requiring a 100‑day post‑investment plan focused on diversification.

This included evaluating European suppliers, assessing a new Malaysian production site and exploring late‑point assembly in the UK and US. Foresight monitored progress through structured oversight meetings.

Outcomes:

Bloem implemented all required actions, establishing dual‑sourcing for key components, reducing tariff exposure and increasing operational resilience. This case illustrates how Foresight’s purpose‑led stewardship approach uses systematic ESG assessments to identify material risks and convert them into actionable improvements that support long‑term, sustainable value creation.