The continuing rise of ESG Sustainable investing has been the subject of considerable hype in recent years. More significantly perhaps, it has also been the subject of increasing inflows of funds. ESG investing currently stands at an estimated $85tn and is growing. Some expected the Covid pandemic to burst the ESG bubble, but signs are that…
Yearly Archives: 2020
History teaches us that extraordinary global events such as the current Covid-19 pandemic can lead to an increase in fraud and other forms of corruption. Companies have rightly prioritised health and safety, business continuity and recovery programmes. This is quite distinct from previous economic crises when companies focussed heavily on cost reductions and revenue protection…
A Financial Times Special report on Working from Home examined the business response to the Covid-19 lockdown, exploring in particular the steps that companies can take to protect their reputations. Alicia Clegg compared the very different approaches taken by leading high street names, looking not just at the way employers were treated, but also suppliers….
As news of a the coronavirus began to emerge, few, if any were predicting a crisis on the scale of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many businesses have had to radically alter operations. This has been a huge challenge. Difficult decisions have been made, and made fast. One factor that can make such difficult decisions easier is…
Few businesses, if any, will be unaffected by the Covid pandemic. While crisis management and compliance may not be natural bedfellows, managing compliance risks will be vital if organisations are to be properly protected. The business response to Covid-19 is under considerable scrutiny, getting this right could have a long-term impact on reputation and sustainability….
The call to ‘build back better’ as we emerge from the pandemic has come from many quarters, including the United Nations, World Health Organisation, the Mayor of New York and the director-general Confederation of British Industry. GoodCorporation discussed the role of business in helping to build back better with Jennifer Nadel, barrister, journalist and co-founder of Compassion in Politics. Prior to the…
Since the start of the pandemic, billions of dollars have been sent to developing countries by multilateral development banks (MDBs) and financial institutions to provide the resources necessary to manage immediate health needs, but also to address the longer term economic and social impacts of the pandemic. The World Bank Group has pledged $160 million…
Among the many consequences of the coronavirus pandemic is the reminder that business has a societal as well as an economic purpose. As the scale of the pandemic rapidly unfolded, a spotlight shone on societal purpose, in particular the steps companies were able to take to help their communities cope with the crisis. Media Scrutiny…
In a comment piece for Ethical Corporation Michael Pollitt argues that amendments to the UK Environment Bill could plug the current implementation gaps in the Modern Slavery Act. A new clause tabled for addition to the Environment Bill would force the government to publish legislation within six months imposing a duty on corporations to identify…
Coping with the Coronavirus will require enhanced vigilance by compliance teams. As boards and senior executives navigate the way forward with their focus on sustainability and financial resilience, compliance officers must ensure they stay at the forefront and visible. In a crisis situation there is a temptation to think that normal rules no longer apply….
