At Blackstone, transparency and disclosure are fundamental to the way we do business. We strive at all times to ensure that our investors, unit holders, employees, portfolio companies and all parties with whom we do business can rely on us to operate in a responsible and ethical manner. Our deep commitment to professionalism, fairness and integrity is described in our
Guiding Principles.
Disclosures
As a publicly traded limited partnership, The Blackstone Group
files extensive information with the SEC about its operations and financial performance and is subject to New York Stock Exchange rules (including those relating to corporate governance). Please consult the
Corporate Governance page of our website for additional information, including our corporate governance documents.
Regulatory Bodies
All of our asset management businesses, including our investment funds, are registered with the relevant regulatory bodies in multiple jurisdictions. All of our investing units conduct business through SEC-registered investment advisers. Blackstone Advisory Partners L.P. is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and a member of FINRA.
The following is a list of our regulated entities in our international business:
| Entity Name |
Jurisdiction |
Regulator |
| The Blackstone Group International Partners LLP |
UK |
UK Financial Conduct Authority |
| GSO Capital Partners International LLP |
UK |
UK Financial Conduct Authority |
| Blackstone/GSO Debt Funds Management Europe Limited |
Ireland |
Central Bank of Ireland |
| Blackstone/GSO Debt Funds Management Europe II Limited |
Ireland |
Central Bank of Ireland |
| The Blackstone Group (HK) Limited |
Hong Kong |
Securities & Futures Commission of Hong Kong |
| Blackstone Real Estate Australia Pty Limited |
Australia |
Australian Securities and Investments Commission |
| The Blackstone Group (Australia) Pty Limited |
Australia |
Australian Securities and Investments Commission |
| The Blackstone Group Japan K.K. |
Japan |
Japanese Financial Services Agency |
| Blackstone Singapore Pte. Ltd. |
Singapore |
Monetary Authority of Singapore |
International Operations
For additional information regarding transparency and disclosure with respect to certain international operations, please consult the
European Overview page.
We strongly encourage members of management of Blackstone’s portfolio companies to share best practices in corporate governance and transparency through Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and General Counsel (GC) conferences and networking opportunities.
Organizations
Blackstone has been an active participant in industry-led efforts to improve transparency and disclosure and promote the highest standards of responsible investing.
- American Investment Council
Blackstone is a founding member of the American Investment Council (“AIC”) (previously the U.S. Private Equity Growth Capital Council (“PEGCC”)), a trade organization representing the industry. Working with the PEGCC in 2009, Blackstone helped craft a set of Guidelines for Responsible Investment that incorporate environmental, health, safety, labor, governance and social issues into investment decision-making decisions and ownership activities.
- Private Equity Reporting Group
The Private Equity Reporting Group (“PERG”) is the independent body which oversees enhancements in transparency and disclosure within the UK private equity industry. PERG was formed in 2008 following the publication of Sir David Walker’s report on disclosure and transparency in private equity on 20 November 2007. PERG monitors conformity with the Walker Guidelines and makes recommendations to the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (“BVCA”) for improvements in the levels of openness and communication amongst the largest private equity houses in the UK.
As a public company subject to extensive disclosure requirements, Blackstone is supportive of greater transparency and improved understanding of the private equity industry. Blackstone supports the activities of PERG and conforms on a “comply or explain” basis. We also work alongside our UK portfolio companies, that fall within the criteria proposed by the Walker Guidelines, to do likewise and to publish an annual review. We ensure that communication with the employees of a portfolio company takes priority at the appropriate time, in the event of a transaction involving that portfolio company.
- Broad European Initiatives
Blackstone is actively involved in similar initiatives across Europe, including those that are currently being undertaken by Invest Europe (previously “EVCA”), the Confederation of British Industry (“CBI”), the German Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (“BVK”) and the Alternative Investment Management Association (“AIMA”).