FDF - ESG strategy

For most companies, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues aren’t new.  Businesses have been dealing with environmental regulations since the 1990s and safety since the 1950s. But today it seems impossible to open a newspaper or go to a conference without finding ESG. What’s changed? And what should companies do about it?

This webinar will explore the key ideas behind ESG, showing how it starts with regulatory requirements, but goes beyond that into enterprise risk, customer and market strategies, employee propositions and corporate reputation. It will discuss whether interest in ESG has ‘peaked’ or whether it is here to stay.

The focus will be practical; on helping companies think about their strategic approach to ESG.  Which topics matter?  What can we ignore? What are the drivers from regulation, from peers and – most importantly – from customers? How do we go about setting targets and objectives?  And how should companies assign responsibility once the strategy is set?

Speakers

Simon Hodgson leads SLR’s consulting approach into the food and drink sector and has 25 years’ experience advising corporations on sustainability strategy.  He has worked with senior leadership teams in all sectors, and his F&B clients include AB Inbev, Pepsico and ALDI.  He has particular expertise in the retail supply chain, helping establish responsible sourcing policies for Waitrose, Sainsbury and Tesco, where he trained all 800 buying and technical staff in responsible sourcing negotiations with suppliers.

Audience

The webinar will be of interest to manufacturers of food and beverage products, likely supplying the large international brands, either under their own-brand or white label.  It will also be of interest to individuals working to develop their companies’ approach to ESG, likely job functions affected are:

• Health and Safety / Environment / Quality
• Sales, marketing and brand
• Corporate communications
• Risk and regulatory compliance
• Investor and public relations.