CoreRatings is the leading European rating agency for independent investment analyses of corporate responsibility risks. The company takes an investor's view on corporate governance and environmental and social performance, providing services to asset managers, pension funds and companies worldwide.

The acquisition of CoreRatings recognises the need for companies to provide more transparent and reliable information on their own intangible value and material risks.

The combined expertise of DNV and CoreRatings will offer the market a full range of corporate responsibility and governance services, satisfying the call for the measurement of material investment risks.

CoreRatings' methodology provides a comprehensive analysis, taking into account both company risks and opportunities and identifying material issues affecting the business.

"CoreRatings and DNV are ideally suited to meet the market demand for independent assessment and verification of companies' intangible assets," says Henrik Madsen, chief operating officer of DNV Certification.

Anne-Maree O'Connor, managing director of CoreRatings, says: "There are exciting synergies in this relationship: CoreRatings' analysis and DNV's expertise neatly fills the knowledge gap between companies and their investors when linking management performance and intangible value to shareholder value."