LORD ROTHSCHILD and Ben Goldsmith have taken an estimated 10% stake in Trucost, the environmental research company that is preparing for a stock-market flotation in the next 12 months.

Trucost, founded in 2000 by former Nomura bankers Simon Thomas and Andrew Jacobs, has sounded out possible advisers about a listing, which could value the business at as much as £50m.

Its extrordinary growth – sales are doubling every six months – has been achieved by cashing in on the clamour to go green. Big companies want data on their environmental impact and carbon footprint.

But Trucost is hoping to make even bigger profits by helping fund managers launch green investment vehicles. It can calculate the carbon footprint of a group of investments, enabling fund managers to launch funds that invest only in energy-effi-cient businesses.

The firm’s research reveals wide variations in the carbon footprint of 185 UK investment funds. Invesco Perpetual High Income had the biggest, nearly ten times that of the most carbon efficient fund – Prudential Ethical Trust.

The new backing from Rothschild and Goldsmith will help to fund the next stage of Trucost’s development.

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