CHEVY CHASE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Private equity firm Global Environment Fund (GEF) has been named the 2010 Sustainable Investor of the Year by the Financial Times. The award was presented at the Financial Times and IFC Sustainable Banking Conference in London on June 3^rd. This is the second straight year that GEF has been selected for the award.

Founded in 1990, GEF is one of the most experienced and successful private equity firms to focus exclusively on investing globally in emerging companies whose business operations deliver measurable environmental improvements, cleaner energy and sustainable management of natural resources. GEF currently manages approximately US$1 billion in its investment funds.

In accepting the award, Jeffrey Leonard, GEF CEO and co-founder, said, “In a year when everything in global financial markets was topsy-turvy, GEF is particularly proud to be singled out as an investment firm that achieves strong financial returns and makes major contributions to environmental sustainability, social development and good governance.”

In its citation the judging panel commended GEF as “a leader in demonstrating that investors can deliver powerful positive environmental impacts while generating excellent investment returns. In 2009 GEF celebrated its 20th anniversary and in a year of financial turmoil still secured high levels of growth and the greatest deployment of investments to date, marrying sustainability with a determination to bring in superlative returns."

Since 2006, the Financial Times Sustainable Banking Awards have recognized financial institutions and institutional investors that are leaders and innovators in integrating social, environmental and corporate governance into their core operations. This year GEF was selected as the FT Sustainable Investor of the Year from among 26 nominees consisting of institutional investment firms from around the globe.

A complete list of this year’s winners as well as information about the Financial Times Sustainable Banking Conference can be found at www.ftconferences.com/sustainablebanking.

About Global Environment Fund

Global Environment Fund is a Chevy Chase, Maryland-based private equity firm founded in 1990 investing in emerging markets, clean technology, energy efficiency and timberland in emerging markets. The firm manages approximately US$1 billion in private equity investments for institutional investors including university endowments, foundations, fund-of funds, family offices, pension funds and Developmental Finance Institutions (DFIs). GEF was the 2009 and 2010 Financial Times Sustainable Investor of the Year winner. For more information, visit www.globalenvironmentfund.com.

About the Financial Times

The Financial Times, one of the world’s leading business news organisations, is recognised internationally for its authority, integrity and accuracy. Providing extensive news, comment and analysis, the newspaper is printed at 23 print sites across the globe, has a daily circulation of 390,203 (ABC figures February 2010) and a readership of 1.3 million people worldwide. FT.com is the definitive home for business intelligence on the web, providing an essential source of news, comment, data and analysis for the global business community. FT.com has over 2 million registered users and 126,281 digital subscribers. For the Financial Times’ website, visit www.ft.com.

About IFC

IFC promotes economic development through the private sector. Working with business partners, it invests in sustainable private enterprises in developing countries without accepting government guarantees. It provides equity, long-term loans, structured finance and risk management products, and advisory services to its clients. IFC seeks to reach businesses in regions and countries that have limited access to capital. It provides finance in markets deemed too risky by commercial investors in the absence of IFC participation and adds value to the projects it finances through its corporate governance, environmental, and social expertise. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.