Ares Management Corporation (ARES) — ESG & Values Scores

Environment story

Ares Management is an alternative asset manager with limited direct operational carbon footprint as a financial services firm. The company acknowledges ESG integration into its investment process and publishes annual sustainability disclosures. However, the 10-K filing does not disclose Scope 1, Scope 2, or Scope 3 emissions metrics, net-zero targets, renewable energy percentages, or specific decarbonization initiatives. The company's primary environmental exposure is through its portfolio of investments—particularly in infrastructure (digital data centers via Ada Infrastructure), real estate, and credit strategies that may include fossil fuel–adjacent borrowers. Without disclosed emissions data, credible net-zero commitments before 2045, or verified operational decarbonization, the environmental score reflects incomplete transparency and moderate ESG integration claims.

Criticisms on file

Absence of disclosed Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions metrics; no net-zero target date or carbon reduction commitments disclosed in 10-K filing.
Source: Ares Management Corporation 10-K (2025 fiscal year), Item 1 Business and Item 7 MD&A sections
Investment portfolio includes direct lending to middle-market companies without disclosed environmental screening criteria; potential exposure to carbon-intensive borrowers.
Source: Ares Management Corporation 10-K, Credit Group and Real Assets Group descriptions

Disclosed initiatives

Responsible Investment Policy and ESG Integration

Ares has adopted a Responsible Investment Policy and integrates ESG considerations into investment processes across all asset classes. The firm works with underwriting, asset management, legal and compliance teams to embed ESG into its investment lifecycle.

Provides framework for ESG consideration in portfolio management; does not quantify direct carbon reduction or operational sustainability improvements.
Ada Infrastructure – Digital Infrastructure Operations

Ares operates Ada Infrastructure, a vertically-integrated digital infrastructure platform managing data centers globally. The platform combines investment management with in-house data center development and operational expertise.

Data center operations may involve energy consumption; no disclosed renewable energy targets or operational carbon metrics provided.
Annual Sustainability Reporting

Ares publishes annual sustainability-related reports and disclosures on its website covering responsible investment approach and sustainability topics relevant to the business.

Transparency vehicle; actual emissions reductions and net-zero progress not quantified in available filings.

Social story

Ares Management demonstrates substantial commitment to human capital through formal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, health and wellness benefits, mentoring, and community engagement via the Ares Charitable Foundation and Ares in Motion volunteer program. The firm reports over 4,250 employees across 55 offices in 25+ countries and emphasizes pay equality monitoring and competitive compensation. However, the 10-K does not disclose specific CEO-to-median-worker pay ratios, workforce diversity percentages (women %, underrepresented racial/ethnic groups %), leadership diversity metrics, turnover rates, or union-related activity. The firm explicitly states commitment to monitor pay equity and prevent discrimination, but lacks quantified metrics necessary for independent verification. No documented union suppression or major strikes reported. Supply-chain human rights audits and labor practices of portfolio companies are not detailed.

Criticisms on file

No disclosed CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio, workforce diversity percentages, leadership diversity percentages, or gender/racial pay gaps in 10-K filing despite claims of pay equality monitoring.
Source: Ares Management Corporation 10-K (2025 fiscal year), Item 1 Business – Human Capital section
No disclosure of employee turnover rates, attrition data, or labor relations metrics despite emphasis on retention and talent management.
Source: Ares Management Corporation 10-K (2025 fiscal year), Item 1 Business – Human Capital section
Portfolio companies and investments do not disclose supply-chain labor practices, human rights due diligence standards, or oversight of third-party labor compliance.
Source: Ares Management Corporation 10-K, Investment Groups descriptions

Disclosed initiatives

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council and Strategic Framework

Ares operates a global DEI Council that works to implement a strategic framework to attract, engage and develop talent within an environment of inclusion and excellence. The firm holds 14 employee communities to support inclusion and recognize diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Structured DEI programming; specific representation percentages and outcomes not disclosed.
Pay Equality Monitoring and Assessment

The firm monitors and assesses total compensation to help ensure alignment with role responsibilities and contributions, as part of its commitment to pay equality for all employees.

Governance-level commitment to pay equity; no CEO-to-median worker ratio or gender/racial pay gap disclosed.
Health and Wellness Benefits

Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, generous caregiver leave, domestic partner coverage, adoption/reproductive assistance, family care resources, mental health benefits, and medical advisory team.

Supports employee well-being and retention; no quantified impact on turnover or health outcomes disclosed.
Ares Charitable Foundation and Ares in Motion

Ares Foundation (launched 2021) funds economic mobility, career preparation, and entrepreneurship. AIM program hosts 100+ volunteer events annually, matches charitable contributions, and places employees on non-profit boards.

Community engagement and social impact; internal employee engagement benefit.
Mentoring, Training and Development Programs

Formal and informal mentoring, learning and development, employee engagement events, town halls, employee engagement surveys, education sponsorship programs, internal training on professional skills, management, leadership, and compliance.

Professional development and retention mechanism; no specific training outcomes disclosed.

Governance story

Ares Management operates under a dual-class share structure with significant founder/insider control through Class B common stock (held by Ares Management GP LLC, controlled by Ares Partners Holdco LLC) and Class C common stock (voting rights tied to AOG Units held by limited partners). The company qualifies as a 'controlled company' under NYSE rules and accordingly exempts itself from certain corporate governance standards. As of December 31, 2025, Ares Owners Holdings L.P. (insiders) holds approximately 32.54% economic interest; employee ownership represents 37.13% of outstanding shares. Board independence percentage is not disclosed in the 10-K. The firm does not disclose annual lobbying expenditures, PAC contributions, or political stances. No active antitrust proceedings, consumer-safety enforcement actions, or financial-fraud regulatory proceedings are mentioned in the filing. The company maintains a compliance group supervised by the Chief Compliance Officer and emphasizes regulatory compliance culture, but lacks transparent disclosure of lobbying activities or regulatory fines.

Criticisms on file

Dual-class share structure grants disproportionate voting control to insiders and limits minority shareholder voting power. Ares Partners Holdco LLC controls Class B and Class C voting through Ares Management GP LLC and Ares Voting LLC, respectively.
Source: Ares Management Corporation 10-K (2025 fiscal year), Item 1 Business – Holding Company Structure section
Company qualifies as controlled company under NYSE corporate governance standards and exempts itself from certain corporate governance rules, including board independence and committee requirements.
Source: Ares Management Corporation 10-K (2025 fiscal year), Item 1 Business – Holding Company Structure section
No disclosure of annual lobbying expenditures, PAC contributions, political stances, or engagement with trade associations regarding climate or consumer protection regulation.
Source: Ares Management Corporation 10-K (2025 fiscal year) – no political/lobbying disclosures provided
Board independence percentage not disclosed; unable to verify compliance with best-practice governance standards (target >80% independence).
Source: Ares Management Corporation 10-K (2025 fiscal year) – Item 1 and Item 9 do not contain board composition metrics

Disclosed initiatives

Compliance Framework and Culture

Ares maintains a compliance group supervised by the Chief Compliance Officer responsible for monitoring regulatory compliance. All employees annually certify understanding of and adherence to key global policies, codes of ethics, and compliance requirements. The firm emphasizes policies and procedures including oversight compliance, codes of ethics, compliance systems, and employee education.

Establishes governance infrastructure for regulatory adherence; no quantified compliance violations or remediation disclosed.
Board of Directors Oversight

Management of operating businesses is overseen by the board of directors, with an Operating Committee and Partners Committee of senior leadership meeting regularly to discuss strategy, operational matters, investment performance, fundraising, and market conditions.

Governance structure in place; board independence metrics and composition not disclosed.
Risk Factor Disclosure and Forward-Looking Statements

Company provides extensive Item 1A Risk Factors disclosure and cautionary statements regarding regulatory, operational, and market risks. Reiterates no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Transparency of known risks; standard disclosure practice.

These are Missionomics' own editorial scores — directional signals built from disclosed facts under a published method, not certifications or definitive ratings of Ares Management Corporation. Coverage and confidence vary by data point, and figures can lag real-world changes. Read the full Methodology for sourcing, scoring, and correction details — or open Ares Management Corporation in the app for interactive charts and portfolio building.

More in Financial Services

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) Visa Inc. (V) Mastercard Incorporated (MA) Bank of America Corporation (BAC) Morgan Stanley (MS)