Human Rights Due Diligence Framework
Global Real Estate Manager, >$90bn AUM
Client Overview
We partnered with a global real estate investment manager with over $90bn in AUM. The firm was reviewing its existing ESG and risk frameworks and sought to enhance its approach to human rights due diligence across its operations and investments.
Objective
The client engaged Danesmead Advisory to assess and strengthen its human rights due diligence processes. The objective was to ensure that risks were appropriately identified, managed and mitigated - and to equip the business with practical tools for navigating future human rights issues, aligned with international standards.
Key Actions
Defining the Scope
We began by establishing a clear scope for the due diligence process, including asset-level risks, operating partner exposure, and existing policy coverage. This ensured the process would be targeted, actionable, and aligned with the client’s operational footprint.
Evaluating Existing Practice
We reviewed the firm’s current documentation, identifying strengths and gaps in how human rights risks were assessed and managed across the business.
Developing a Framework
To support ongoing implementation, we delivered a tailored due diligence toolkit – covering company-level assessments, geographic and sector risk profiling, and escalation pathways.
We also developed a standalone Human Rights Policy and a detailed due diligence report, including peer benchmarking and enhancement recommendations across risk management, policy, reporting and governance.
Results
The firm now has a structured, best-practice-aligned approach to human rights due diligence that is both implementable and investor-ready. The outputs helped the client articulate its human rights stance with confidence and improve risk coverage across its real estate portfolio – without unnecessary burden on internal teams.