With more than 25 years in legacy insurance, RiverStone International continues to lead by looking ahead—and knowing where to look.

See What’s Possible isn’t just a campaign in 2026. It’s a reflection of how RiverStone reveals unseen opportunities and brings hidden potential into focus. Our ability to see what’s possible, built over decades, is how we continue to unlock the path forward—for our partners, our business, and our people.

That focus is already translating into momentum. Following our 17 March announcement establishing an Australian presence, we’re continuing to build the global platform that helps clients navigate complexity with confidence.

Experience that sees beyond the surface

RiverStone brings not just executional excellence but the judgment that comes from experience—seeing the full arc of a transaction, from uncertainty to outcome. That perspective, earned through many years of cross-border work, enables us to recognise patterns, assess risk with nuance, and act decisively in even the most complex scenarios.

• Most recently, our depth of experience came into sharp focus through Project Elevator—RiverStone’s first U.S. portfolio transfer:Leveraging our global platform, we designed a bespoke structure that provided economic finality for the counterparty and long-term clarity for their business.
• With claims handling retained by our client’s TPA, we tailored audit frameworks and on-site claims engagement, reinforcing our ability to provide hands-on, high-trust liability oversight—no matter the market.

“Our Loss Portfolio Transfer with Lyft was proof-positive that RiverStone International’s newly established US platform is ‘open for business.’ From Day 1 the transaction has been a resounding success, enabled by mutual respect, shared claim handling philosophies, and exceptional data quality, resulting in a seamless integration and economic value for all stakeholders.” – Nick Schulson, US CEO

RiverStone’s experience doesn’t sit on the shelf—it informs how we see what’s possible. With each new challenge, our team draws on the knowledge and foresight that only decades of dealmaking, integration, and partnership can provide. We don’t just respond to legacy, we help shape what comes next.

Expertise that builds what’s next

RiverStone’s expertise doesn’t just solve problems, it redefines what’s possible. In 2025, that mindset powered a series of strategic initiatives that further advanced our technical systems, processes, and capabilities across the business.

We continued our multi-year investment in Project Riva, a transformative modernisation of our global claims and outward reinsurance platform – known as PINS. Built on the strength of this unique in-house platform, which has supported RiverStone’s ongoing success, Riva is purpose-built to ingest data rapidly from acquired portfolios, designed to streamline workflows, automate repeatable tasks, and support data-driven decisions across all jurisdictions.

With functionality going live in 2026, Riva provides:

• A scalable, secure foundation that extends our proven capabilities and supports future growth.
• Streamlined global processes that enhance operational insight and position RiverStone for continued leadership with technology.
• Intuitive design that supports fast, effective claims handling across all regions.

Riva isn’t just a system—it’s a strategic enabler. By automating where we can, we empower people to focus on what matters most: resolving complex claims, building trusted relationships, and identifying opportunity inside transition. Just as PINS successfully supported RiverStone’s first 25 years, Riva is designed to power what’s next—delivering greater efficiency, deeper insight, and even stronger claims capabilities for the future.

Beyond Riva, RiverStone also advanced its claims capabilities in the U.S., securing Lloyd’s Delegated Claims Administrator (DCA) approval in 2025. This accreditation enables us to directly handle claims on our syndicate business—strengthening service, increasing responsiveness, and ensuring alignment across jurisdictions.

We also expanded our cross-border collaboration, using local expertise to enhance oversight and engagement:

• Leveraging on-the-ground U.S. resources to attend mediations, site inspections, and conduct in-person file reviews.
• Applying group-wide insight and jurisdictional knowledge to deliver better outcomes—faster.

At RiverStone, expertise is more than technical know-how. It’s the ability to navigate intricacy, align to strategy, and implement solutions that scale. This is how we transform operations—and how we continue to see what’s possible.

Relationships that create momentum

For RiverStone, relationships have never been just about transactions. They’re the starting point for what’s possible.

Years of transparency with counterparties, clients, and regulators have shaped a foundation of trust and mutual respect. In 2025, those long-standing relationships became catalysts for growth—and proof that how we work with others defines where we go next. This was demonstrated in two coordinated and ongoing transactions across Europe, where RiverStone:

• Advanced key portfolio integrations in Spain and France, spanning legacy medical malpractice, motor, and professional indemnity claims.
• Built on a strong, existing partnership with the seller—marked by close collaboration and open communication.
• Delivered custom solutions for claims handling, aligned with the seller’s leading standards.
• Achieved legal finality and regulatory approval through a complete, end-to-end solution.
• Mobilised cross-border, cross-functional teams to deliver results at pace and at scale.

“These transactions are a testament to what can be achieved through true partnership and collaboration. We worked hand-in-hand with the seller and across our own teams in multiple locations to deliver two complex transactions simultaneously, while maintaining regulatory rigour and service excellence. I am extremely proud of the collective effort of everyone involved, and of the trusted relationships that made these successful outcomes possible.”- Brian Myles, CEO, Ireland

RiverStone combines trust with discipline to create new opportunities, in new markets, for new partners. Whether working with a long-time collaborator or exploring a first conversation, our difference isn’t just in the solution. It’s in how we see the potential—and the path—to get there.

Culture that thinks forward

Culture is more to us than what we value—it’s how we work, grow, and move forward together. Our people are empowered to not only participate in change, but to shape it. Across every function and location, RiverStone teams bring diverse perspectives and shared purpose to the challenges we solve.

This mindset is part of what earned RiverStone Great Place to Work certification across every office in 2025. For us, culture goes beyond recognition—it’s the engine behind how we support one another, challenge each other, and unlock what’s next.

Most recently, we’ve:

• Invested in global learning and development, expanding access to tools that fuel growth at every level.
• Prioritised internal mobility and cross-functional collaboration, making sure people can thrive—not just in roles, but across their careers.
• Welcomed new colleagues through acquisitions, helping them integrate into a culture built on care, accountability, and inclusion.

At RiverStone, we believe in an environment where everyone can contribute, be recognised, and grow—individually and as a team. It’s this foundation of trust and empowerment that helps possibility take shape.

2026: Potential into focus

RiverStone International continues to reveal unseen opportunity and bring potential into focus with our ability to see what’s possible—and unlock it. Seeing what’s possible is more than a mindset, it’s a capability built over time, refined through experience, and proven through action.

Whether modernising platforms, deepening partnerships, or expanding our presence globally, RiverStone is driven by the belief that legacy holds more than risk—it holds opportunity. In 2026, we’re not just looking at what is. We’re focused on what’s possible, and unlocking the path forward together.

The post See What’s Possible appeared first on RiverStone International.

To play our part, we’ve developed near-term science-based emissions reduction targets aligned with global climate goals. We’re proud to announce that these targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

The SBTi—a collaboration between CDP, the UN Global Compact, the World Resources Institute (WRI), and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)—sets the world’s most rigorous and trusted standard for corporate climate action. We know our actions alone won’t solve climate change, and we’re part of a much larger system. But by acting decisively and engaging across our value chain, we aim to drive broader change and accelerate collective progress.

At RiverStone, our purpose is to unlock the path forward, and that includes taking meaningful steps where we can create impact. As a legacy insurer, we hold unique influence in key areas and we continue to bring that potential into focus, turning responsibility into opportunity.

Our decarbonisation efforts concentrate on the two areas where we hold the greatest leverage to drive meaningful change:

• Investments: Driving down carbon intensity in our investment portfolio through active engagement with the companies we help finance.
• Operations: Cutting emissions from office energy use through efficiency improvements and cleaner energy sources.

A huge thank you to our Investment and Sustainability teams for making this milestone possible. Together, we’re embedding climate action at the heart of our strategy and building a more sustainable future. This achievement reflects how RiverStone brings potential into focus through strategic action and long-term thinking.

RiverStone’s validated targets include commitments to:

Operational Emissions (Scope 1 & 2):

• Reduce absolute emissions by 42% by 2029, from a 2024 baseline.

Financed Emissions associated with our investments (Scope 3 category 15):

• Portfolio Coverage: 77.5% of our eligible corporate bond portfolio to set SBTi-validated targets by 2029.
• Fossil Fuel Finance: RiverStone commits to cease making new investments in issuers with revenues generated from the fossil fuel value chain. Existing investments will be allowed to mature but without reinvestment.

Target coverage: 93% of financed emissions and 23% of invested capital as of 2023

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As RiverStone International celebrates its 25th anniversary, we take this moment to reflect on the journey that has brought us to today—and how it propels our ability to look ahead with confidence. 

The theme of our milestone, “Focus Forward: Celebrating 25 Years of Momentum,” encapsulates both the legacy we’ve built and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. It’s a reminder that while much has changed in two and a half decades, with RiverStone having grown from a UK-focussed operation to holding a position of leadership globally, our values that shape who we are as a company and how we do business remain the same. 

Success defined by steadfast values

From our earliest days, RiverStone has operated on a foundation of values that continue to guide us: integrity, reliability, transparency, and a commitment to doing the right thing. These principles are not just words; we recognise that staying true to the relationships we build with clients, employees, and partners is the bedrock of our business. Our growth and success are testaments to these values, and even as we embrace change and growth, we stay true to what has always made us strong.

As we reflect on 25 years, the phrase “Moving forward by staying the same” represents the core of RiverStone’s success. This may seem paradoxical at first glance, but it is the consistency in our values that has enabled us to adapt, grow, and thrive. Change is inevitable, the legacy insurance industry itself demands continual evolution, yet our ethos—our dedication to our people and partners—has never wavered or waned. It is this trusted and known commitment that has allowed us to build long-term relationships, laying the groundwork for sustainable success.

“RiverStone’s commitment to its core values has always stood out to me. Even as we’ve expanded and adapted to the changing industry landscape, the company’s dedication to integrity and building genuine relationships has remained constant. It’s this strong foundation that drives our ongoing success.” – Andy Creed, Group CFO

Embracing change, honoring continuity

Throughout our history, RiverStone has embraced change, recognising it as an essential part of growth. We’ve expanded our global footprint, acquired new business lines, and continuously refined our offerings to meet the evolving needs of the legacy insurance market. Our ability to adapt has been one of our greatest strengths, allowing us to remain a trusted partner in an industry that is always shifting.

Yet, along with these changes, the essence of who we are remains unchanged. RiverStone’s people are as committed today as they were on day one, dedicated to upholding the highest standards in everything we do. Our culture of accountability and ownership continues to drive us forward. Our partners and clients know they can rely on us not only to meet their needs today but to anticipate the challenges of tomorrow.

This duality—embracing change while staying true to our roots—has been a defining characteristic of RiverStone’s success. We’ve taken bold steps into new territories and markets, yet we’ve done so with the same careful consideration and respect for relationships that have always been at the core of our operations.

People fuel our achievements 

As we look at 25 years of RiverStone, we acknowledge the partnerships and people who have made our success possible. The dedication, expertise, and hard work of our team have been instrumental in every milestone we’ve achieved. Our employees embody the spirit of RiverStone, bringing a commitment to excellence, integrity, and collaboration that drives us forward every day. Without all of us, none of our success would be possible.

“Working at RiverStone has been an incredible journey. Over the years, I’ve seen our team consistently rise to challenges, driven by a shared commitment to excellence and integrity. It’s inspiring to be part of a company where every individual is valued, and our collective efforts truly make a difference.” – Charlotte Pritchard, Group Risk and Compliance Director  

“As one who has been at RiverStone for the full 25 years and beyond, I am sure I am not alone in having made many great friends for life while working here. That camaraderie and trust, naturally enforces colleagues to work well together and I’m sure that in turn has been a huge part in RiverStone’s growth and success over the period.” – James Troughton, Senior Manager, IT

Our longstanding business relationships have also played a pivotal role in our story. RiverStone’s partners, clients, and stakeholders have placed their trust in us time and again, allowing us to grow and succeed together. The meaningful relationships we’ve developed are built on mutual respect and shared values, and they remain integral to our ongoing success. These partnerships remind us that while business strategies may shift, it is people and relationships that truly define long-term success.

“At RiverStone, our success is built on strong, enduring partnerships. We’ve earned trust by consistently delivering on our promises and staying true to our values. These relationships, based on respect and collaboration, have not only shaped our past but continue to guide us toward future success.” – Mike Cain, Group General Counsel and Company Secretary

A celebration of momentum 

With the momentum of the past 25 years propelling us forward, RiverStone is ready to meet the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. We are excited to continue unlocking value for our partners, expanding our global presence, and exploring new avenues for growth.

We understand that success is not just about the big milestones—it’s about the everyday actions that, over time, create lasting impact. The relationships we nurture, the problems we solve, and the values we uphold daily are what truly set us apart. RiverStone is committed to not only being a leader in the legacy insurance market, but to continuing as a company that leads with integrity and transparency. 

“By sticking to our values and what we do best, providing a world-leading client service to the insurance industry, RiverStone will continue to thrive as it expands in the years to come.” – Babak Rozati, Associate Director, Head of Claims Legal

Focus forward: a vision for the future 

As RiverStone marks 25 years, we stand at a unique crossroads. Looking back, we see a company that has grown, evolved, and adapted while never losing sight of the values that define us. Looking forward, we see endless possibilities for growth and transformation, fueled by the same dedication and commitment that brought us to where we are today.

Staying true to what has always made us strong. Embracing change, but honouring continuity. We move forward by staying the same, and it is this balance—between evolution and tradition, between change and consistency—that will continue to define RiverStone International’s success. With gratitude for our past and excitement for our future, we celebrate this milestone confident in our ability to continue building on the foundation we’ve laid. 

Together with our people, partners, and values, we focus forward on the next chapter in RiverStone International’s story. 

Watch highlights from our 25th Anniversary Celebration

The post Focus Forward: Celebrating 25 Years of Momentum appeared first on RiverStone International.

Mental Health Awareness Week took place in May, with the theme of ‘Movement’. Mental Health First Aid England as part of their campaign explained that “Our bodies release feel-good hormones [such as endorphins and serotonin] that help improve your mood when we’re active, which can reduce anxiety and stress and help us sleep better”.

As both a Mental Health First Aider and a runner, this really resonates with me.

A personal journey

My personal running journey began back in January 2018. I’d read an advert posted by a local fitness instructor asking for participants for a Couch to 5K group to run along the local river and build up to running 5k in 30mins. At the time I was looking for ways to be active and meet people locally, as we’d recently moved out of Brighton to a small village in the South Downs and didn’t know anyone or the area, so I decided to take the plunge and sign up.

Everyone was so welcoming and friendly and throughout the coming weeks we formed a group of beginners, and it was this sense of belonging to a group and connecting with people that kept me motivated to keep coming back each week. I didn’t know at that point that it would lead to so much more, especially the positive impact on my mental health.

This was 6 years ago and we since went on to form a local running group welcoming even more runners, increasing our distances and abilities, taking part in races, and building friendships along the way. One thing we all experienced, besides being fitter and more active than we had ever been, was the enormous mental health benefits from being part of this running group. We found that talking and running is a great way of sharing your problems and listening to others without it feeling intense or overwhelming. As an introvert, I really appreciate doing an activity as I share how I am feeling, as it feels less pressured and allows me to open up.

Benefits of being in nature

Another benefit to running was that I loved being out in nature and exploring the local countryside and beyond, as the majority of the running I do is trail running. Prior to this, I hadn’t realised how important being in nature was to me and what a positive impact it has on my mental health to be able to appreciate the joys that each season brings. 

Resilience

Most importantly, I have found that running helps me to build resilience during hard times. Running with a friend and talking as we go was an amazing help to me through the pandemic when I lost 3 family members and was finding work overwhelming and stressful. Most weekends we would go on a Sunday adventure run, which always involved challenging hills! I particularly found the winter adventure runs, sometimes in snow or hail, often in wind, torrential rain and freezing temperatures, had the ability to make me feel invincible. This, combined with the conversations we had while running, helped to build my mental resilience during hard times. It made me feel physically and mentally stronger and I always felt better after one of these “life-affirming runs”.

Mindfulness

Solo runs are also beneficial, allowing me the space to be mindful and enjoy the present moment, boosting my mood with the feel-good endorphins released by the exercise.

Running has become an important part of my life and I would encourage anyone to give it a go and enjoy the many benefits it can bring, both physically and mentally. 

RiverStone encourages running and we now have a couple of Thursday running clubs across office locations. These groups get together for a run at lunchtime, and it has been a very uplifting and energising experience for everyone involved.

Claire Morrison – Mental Health First Aider

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By Natasha Carey, Senior Manager- Actuarial

Later this month, the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (“IFoA”) will be coming together to celebrate 100 years since the first two females, Dorothy and Gladys, qualified as actuaries. The event will be hosted by Kalpana Shah, IFoA President and board member of RiverStone International’s UK entities, and is free to attend.

More details are here: https://actuaries.org.uk/100yearswomenactuaries/

The growth of female representation across the globe in different industries, professions and sports has been a hot topic in recent years – did you know:

• The Paris 2024 Olympics will be the first Olympics to have 50% female athletes. 100 years ago, only 5% of athletes were female.
• Currently, only 11% of the world’s astronauts are women.
• In 1923, none of Noble Prize winners were female. In 2023, 36% were female.
• 100 years ago, 33% of players competing in the singles tennis competition at Wimbledon were female. It is now 50%.
• Female artists spent the most weeks at Number 1 in the UK Top 40 Singles Chart in 2023 (31 out of 52), the highest since records began in 1952.

Riverstone’s actuarial team was brought in-house during 2016 – there were no women in the team until 2018, however now 37% of actuarial-related roles are filled by females. Across the RiverStone Group, women take up 44% of all roles.

Some of the actuarial team will be attending the IFoA’s event and we recently got together to reflect on the topic and our experience of gender parity within the industry. Interestingly, the proportion of female members in the IFoA (34%, 2022/23) is broadly in line with the proportion of female students studying mathematical science subjects at UK universities (37%, 2017/18). This goes to show how much of an impact university demographics has on the industry – as we see increases in this over the coming years, we’ll hopefully see a higher proportion of females being represented in IFoA membership and the insurance industry.

It’s shocking to read that the headline used in the telegram published by the Daily Mirror in 1923 to announce the first two female actuarial qualifiers included the phrase ‘City Surprised’. It shows how far we’ve come as a profession and as an industry from a gender-parity perspective – one would hope that the city is no longer surprised every time a woman qualifies as an Actuary!

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“On my actuarial science course at university there was a small proportion of female students. I was worried I would be the only female in my team when going into the workforce in 2020 and was pleasantly surprised that this wasn’t the case when I joined Riverstone. More recently, I went to an Actuarial talk run by the London Market Students Group and was pleased to see a high proportion of females in attendance.”

Magalie Farine, Actuarial Associate

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“I’ve worked with more senior female actuaries in the London market than females in other senior positions, e.g. underwriters, claims adjusters, finance officers etc. – are actuaries ahead of the rest of the market?”

Sarah Grimshaw, Actuary

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“Emma Stewart is one of the speakers at the centenary event – she is the first female Chief Actuary of Lloyd’s. Soon I hope there will be a time when we no longer have to celebrate milestones such as the ‘first female’ or 100 year anniversaries, and being a woman, or a member of any other under-represented sector of the community, in the industry will not be news.”

James Wackrow, Group Chief Actuary

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I started my RiverStone career in June 2022. At the time when I was looking for a new job, my twin girls weren’t even two years old so work life balance, as well as a job that would interest me, were top of my list. I remember looking at the RiverStone values on their website thinking it seemed like a down to earth company and they specifically mentioned about being hard working, but not at the expense of your families. Most companies do strive for work life balance but culture, working practices and subtle tone from the top may indicate otherwise. I took a chance to take them at face value.

From day one, the welcome was overwhelmingly warm. I got to know the management team, and everyone seemed to get along well and there was little time for any office politics which was refreshing (and different from the previous companies that I’ve worked in). Everyone is focused on working together and playing their part in meeting the company goals.

In the earlier stages of my career, I never minded working late. However, now as a full-time working mum, balancing both family and career requires good organisation, time prioritisation and forward planning. For me, what is important is that I spend some quality time with my family.  I decided that I would aim to finish work on time every day as I wanted to prioritise family dinners together. I am fine to work around other times but this I was aiming would be non-negotiable. I’m happy to say that I’ve managed to keep that priority whilst still balancing and meeting my work needs. 

There was one stand out moment for me in my journey so far with RiverStone which spoke volumes about the tone from top.  There was one night I was uncharacteristically working late to get a report out and I remember the next time I met with the Group CEO, one of his side comments was that he was surprised that I was working late and effectively asking me why.  It’s always great confirmation that this indeed is management’s attitude as I think working mums tend to suffer from “mum guilt” anyway in terms of the amount of time and effort they can put into their families let alone when we feel pressure from others pulling us to match the hours that some people work.

I’m not long in my RiverStone journey but I am pleased that due to the dynamic nature of the company, there were opportunities to progress. I think most working mums tend to be in survival mode where you are so busy spinning all the plates that you have in the air.  It’s been surprising that at a time when most women are looking to get by in this busy season, that I have been promoted into another department and now part of the Executive management team. It definitely makes you feel appreciative when in this passing season of young kids, that you can be recognised for your capabilities despite your capacity being more limited. 

When I heard that RiverStone was recognised as a Great Place to Work for Women, it didn’t surprise me, and I am pleased that the company is getting publicly recognised for what has been true in my experience. The two women predecessors that used to look after Internal Audit before me can also attest that they have moved on and been promoted to other areas in RiverStone which speaks well of the company’s inclusive culture. I look forward to continuing my RiverStone career and what else the future brings.

The post RiverStone International recognised as a Great Place to Work™ for Women appeared first on RiverStone International.

At RiverStone we strive to foster an inclusive environment where we encourage and raise awareness of Inclusion and Diversity.

One of our Inclusion and Diversity Group members, Natasha Carey, sat down with a colleague, Girinker Aggarwal, Head of Capital Modelling – to learn more about Diwali and what it means to him. Girinker will be heading to India this year to celebrate Diwali with his family – read on to find out what Natasha learnt.

Natasha: What is Diwali?

Girinker: Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, although it is also celebrated by several religions across multiple countries. In the simplest of forms, it celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance. It’s a massive celebration in India and combines a mix of shopping, cleaning, praying, firecrackers, putting up lights, lighting candles, having family meals and spending time with family.

Natasha: What time of year does Diwali fall?

Girinker: Diwali is typically celebrated over five days, with the third day being termed “Diwali” as the main day of celebration and the fourth day “Annakut” being the start of the lunar new year. This year, Diwali will be celebrated on Sunday 12th November and there is usually a huge build up to the festivities for over a month. Whilst I’ve observed a stronger build up for Diwali in India, there are also celebrations held in various communities across the UK, including in Trafalgar Square, London.

Natasha: Tell me about your earliest memory of Diwali?

Girinker: My parents used to take us shopping, buy us gifts and they also did a lot of cleaning up. Once I got a bit older, I had to do a bit more of the cleaning up! We would put candles, lamps and lights up around the house, and also outside the house for a week or two weeks before Diwali. My parents are both doctors so on the morning of Diwali, we would say prayers in both my parent’s clinics – where they work is an important part of their life, so we choose to say our prayers there. Prayer rituals are similar no matter where you do them.

Natasha: What does Diwali mean to you and your family?

Girinker: It’s about being with family, enjoying time off with a big family celebration and having a family dinner. I’m looking forward to being home this year and for our son to see what Diwali is like in India. He’s only two years old so he’ll probably forget all about it a few weeks later but I’m sure it will be an excellent experience for him. The family is really looking forward to him celebrating his first Diwali in India.

Natasha: You mentioned you are going to India to celebrate Diwali this year; how do celebrations differ between the UK and India?

Girinker: Diwali in the UK is a little bit muted in comparison. In the UK, we would normally throw a Diwali get together for our friends on one of the weekends around Diwali. Where we live now, there are community celebrations, but we’ve only been there for two years and haven’t made our way to one yet, maybe next year. There’s a lot of planning that goes into our Diwali get together, getting dressed up, saying prayers, lighting lamps and enjoying a nice (elaborate!) Indian meal with friends. We really enjoy Diwali in the UK and it is a very delightful experience but it’s quite different to India. In India, it’s the most festive time of the year and Diwali is perhaps the most celebrated festival in the country. We try to go back for Diwali as much as we can. My wife and I haven’t celebrated Diwali in India for a few years and now that we have a little one, we’d like him to be able to understand what Diwali actually means. Being in the UK, he’s never going to realise how big of a thing it is, he’s probably going to associate that with Christmas, but we still want to take him out to India for the occasion, so that he sees what the festivities are all about and appreciates the cultural values associated with it.

Natasha: How do you think your celebration or perception of Diwali has changed over the years?

Girinker: When I was younger, Diwali used to be a lot more about firecrackers. We were very excited to be able to burst firecrackers, not just on the day of Diwali but in the weeks leading up to it. We used to try to get money from our parents to buy more, it used to be a very exciting part of the celebration. Over the years, with more awareness and education around the impact of pollution in India, we stopped with the firecrackers and Diwali has just become more of a family thing. Generally, people are a lot more aware of the pollution in India being quite bad, particularly in Delhi, where I grew up. So there seems to be a trend of people doing less and less firecrackers in more recent years.

Natasha: Diwali is often celebrated with lights and fireworks. What is the historical significance of this?

Girinker: In a nutshell, Diwali celebrates the victory of good over evil, as written in the epic of Ramayana in Hindu mythology. There was a King that ruled Ayodhya who had four sons with three wives. Rama, the eldest son, was next in line to succeed the King but the King’s second wife wanted her son, Bharata, to ascend the throne. She made a wish for the King’s eldest son, Rama, to be exiled for 14 years – as a result, Rama accompanied by his wife, Sita, and his brother, Lakshmana went to live in the forest. During those 14 years, Ravana, the demon King, developed a liking towards Sita and kidnapped her. The story goes that they fought a long epic battle, with Rama (the personification of good) fighting to get his wife back, and in the process defeating Ravana (evil). Diwali is the celebration of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana returning to Ayodhya after their period of exile. There is actually another festival known as “Dussehra”, which is the celebration of Ravana’s defeat, about 3 weeks before Diwali. There are various versions of the story and in many forms: books, TV shows, movies, plays, as well as a short book for young children that I like to read to my son.

Natasha: What are some aspects of Diwali that our colleagues might not know about, but you feel should be taught or shared more widely?

Girinker: The Hindu culture is very elaborate, it goes back a long time, there’s a lot of mythology and history, generally violent with various battles. There are a lot of gods, each with their own stories, and therefore there are multiple deities within the Hindu religion that people pray to rather than one god-like a lot of other religions. Every god has their own celebration and festival; we don’t always get a bank holiday for them but still engage in celebrations and prayers for each god.

Natasha: How can we join you in celebrating Diwali in our offices and / or homes?

Girinker: Chocolates and sweets are always welcome, that’s a good part of the celebration. You can put up lamps, lights and candles in your houses, or even light up the outside of your houses as best you can. Being charitable is also a big part of Diwali – you can donate to your favourite charities, all in the spirit of being good and supporting society.

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Happy Diwali, however you choose to celebrate!

The post Celebrating Diwali – Festival Of Lights appeared first on RiverStone International.

A personal reflection

It takes a lot to stand up and be visible but that’s part of Pride Month: being Proud, Present and Visible and so this is me doing that, and it scares me! The younger version of myself would have never ever considered doing this because I was afraid to be who I am for fear of being an outcast, for suffering verbal abuse, being physically attacked or worse.

I know it seems like LGBTQ+ people and issues are everywhere in the news and in the rainbow logos of companies (including ours) but trust me when I say it doesn’t magically mean that everything is ok.  Pride Month happens once per year, however, for people like myself, it’s a lifetime. For example, I still can’t travel to every country in the world with my husband for fear of being imprisoned, tortured, or killed. I can’t walk down the street holding hands for fear of verbal or physical abuse. 

It surprises people to hear that LGBTQ+ people don’t have this big “coming out” and it’s all done and dusted. The movies, TV, the news aren’t very accurate in their portrayal. Every time we meet someone new, every new job we go to, we have to decide whether we can be open about who we are and for some jobs, that starts with the application form. We must go through the fear of whether we will again suffer abuse for being ourselves and decide if it is a risk we want to take. 

Set all this against the backdrop that in the year 2021/22 hate crimes based on sexual orientation rose by 41% . Crimes against people who identify as transgender rose by 56%*. It’s easy to see why there is still a need for Pride events and the support of family, friends, colleagues, the companies we work for.

Life for an LGBTQ+ person can be one of anxiety over whether they could be verbally or physically abused for being who they are, facing the possibility of being abandoned by their families and friends and worrying they may never be successful in their career because of discrimination. So when people say that it’s a choice or “trendy” to be LGBTQ+, I can definitely say I would struggle to choose that if given a choice.

I’m happy to say in my time at RiverStone I haven’t seen any abuse or discrimination and despite initial worries about whether to bring my husband along to the Christmas party and be visible to everyone I have had nothing but positive experiences. This is especially heightened for me, as he loves going to them and has only good things to say about any of my colleagues that he has met.

For you, my colleagues and friends, I say two simple words …… thank you.

^{* Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hate-crime-england-and-wales-2021-to-2022/hate-crime-england-and-wales-2021-to-2022}

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The initiative helped raise an amazing £250,000+ for Street League.

Youth unemployment is at its highest level for decades and this lack of opportunity is having a negative effect on young people’s mental health, physical health, and confidence. To counter this, Street League is working harder than ever to support young people through these difficult times both during and post school years.

Many CVC affiliates and partners participated in the event.

RiverStone got to the semi-finals and lost 1-0 to law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges who ended up winning in the final. We scored an impressive 16 goals throughout the tournament and conceded 3 goals.

We are very proud to support Street League and thoroughly enjoyed the supportive and inclusive nature of this incredible tournament.

Congratulations to all involved.

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This milestone was possible also thanks to the collaboration with Climate Impact Partners, supporting one of their projects, The Aqua Clara Water Filters in Kenya.  

Today we are pleased to announce that as part of our continued commitment to make a positive impact on climate change, we fully offset our 2021 energy usage by supporting the Clean Water and Cooking project in Guatemala.

As over half of rural Guatemala does not have access to safe water, harvesting wood for boiling water is a major cause of deforestation. On top of the health risk of indoor smoke, many women and children must spend their time gathering fuel.

The carbon finance allows the project to offer interest-free loans with no upfront cost so families can begin to save on fuel cost immediately. Together, the water filter and efficient cookstove can reduce a household’s fuel consumption and emissions by over half. The Ecofiltro ceramic filer is made locally of clay and sawdust; the project employs hundreds of people in local production and distribution.

Through this project we have offset our energy use for 2021 based on the independent assessment of CO2 emissions produced by Coral Energy. RiverStone International is now looking to make further advances with energy sustainability to further limit its environmental impact and support more projects such as these.

We are on track to have a comprehensive environmental, social and governance (ESG) policy in place by the end of the year and we look forward to updating you on progress over the coming months.

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