For the latest episode of the Better Boards Podcast Series, Margot Slattery, Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at ISS A/S, shares her views on ‘social responsibility’ with Dr Sabine Dembkowski.
The subject of the conversation was ‘Putting the S in ESG’. ESG is has become a hot topic, with a rising tide of investors, communities and talent caring more about the issues that surround it.
Margot, who was born in Ireland, was one of the key contributors to the Irish Same-Sex Marriage Act. Her career has included a stint as Global Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Sodexo, before her current role with ISS World.
Some of the key points raised in this episode include:
“The ‘S’ is very real, and it won’t go away”.
The ‘S’, seen as social responsibility, has evolved over the last few years from a box-ticking exercise to an important part of organisational strategy. Investors, communities, and workforces are placing greater importance on ESG issues when making decisions regarding organisations. Because of this, Chairs and CEOs must now ensure that these issues are a part of the strategic agenda for the organisations they lead.
“Think of the health of your organisation”.
The issues impacted by the ‘S’ of ESG can often be tied to the health and wellness of an organisation. This in turn can impact the view investors have when considering an organisation. By using ‘S’ as a measure of organisational wellness, the board can develop a benchmark for how socially healthy their organisation is, both in actual and perceived terms.
“The ‘S’ really encourages innovation”.
The ‘S’ goes beyond Diversity and Inclusion, which means it can have a wider impact on innovation. By anchoring the future in the issues of ‘S’, an organisation can be at the forefront of evolution by maximising its access to a wider range of viewpoints and experiences.
The Better Boards Podcast Series is hosted by Dr Sabine Demkbowski, the founder and managing partner of Better Boards. The series airs a new episode on the first and third Thursday of every month.
