Archive

Corporate

  • ESG doublespeak: The authenticity gap

    November 16, 2022

    My last post, 'Knowing the score', highlighted how companies might assess CSR-bang for ESG-buck and how third-party ratings can play a role in the trouble with ESG. We’ll now hone in on how the 'feel-good' acronym is marketed, why, and the unintended consequences. Register to join us on Wednesday 30th November from 2-3 PM (GMT) to explore the role of communications in disentangling ESG at a time when sustainability has never been higher on the...

  • FleishmanHillard COP27 Reflections: Youth take their seat at the table

    November 15, 2022

    Jamal Johnson, graduate trainee, Consumer Brand, Youth & Culture Week one of COP27 was dominated by the arrival of world leaders and negotiations to scale up the investment needed to tackle the climate crisis. And while this COP feels a little lacklustre in comparison to years past (including the notable absence from Greta Thunberg), the voice of youth staked a new claim at the Summit with the first-ever dedicated COP platform. On Wednesday, a dedicated...

  • COP27 Reflections: Some optimism, need for action and transparency in net zero

    November 14, 2022

      Carly Hilkin, Director, Corporate Reputation & Purpose Heading into COP27 this year, I, like many I expect, felt cynical. How could you not be? However, watching the first week of conference headlines has struck a slightly different chord. The “implementation COP” has already seen multiple noteworthy successes: Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottle’s innovative “Bridgetown Agenda” outlining solutions to providing more climate finance was broadly well-received, multiple countries announced new regulations for tackling emissions, and...

  • ESG doublespeak: Knowing the score with ESG ratings

    November 10, 2022

    In post “1. The uncomfortable truth”, we highlighted how ESG ratings don’t measure a company’s impact on the Earth and society. Let’s now look at how companies might assess CSR-bang for ESG-buck and how third-party ratings can play a role in the trouble with ESG. It had all started so well. In 2004, the Secretary-General of the United Nations wrote to over 50 CEOs of major financial institutions. He invited them to participate in a...

  • Webinar — The Trouble with ESG Doublespeak

    November 10, 2022

    Join us on Wednesday 30th November, 2-3pm (GMT) for a panel discussion, 'The Trouble with ESG Doublespeak', exploring the role of communications in disentangling ESG at a time when sustainability has never been higher on the world's agenda. Hosted by Richard Costa, Director & Head of Corporate Reporting at Ensemble Studio, in conversation with: Madeleine Cobb, Global Head of Corporate Sustainability at Schroders Rob Doepel, UK Managing Partner for Sustainability at EY Adiya Mobley, Global DE&I...

  • FleishmanHillard COP27 Reflections: Finance that’s fit for the future

    November 9, 2022

    Imogen Sackey, Associate Director, Corporate Reputation & Purpose On Sunday, Managing Director of Namibia’s Ministry of Environment and Tourism Petrus Muteyauli captured the spirit of COP27 powerfully: “COP21 told us what to do, COP26 told us how to do it and COP27 calls us to go to the battlefield and implement what we decided over the past 27 years.” In recent years, the world has heard repeatedly of pledges to tackle the climate challenge with...

  • ESG doublespeak: The uncomfortable truth about ESG investing

    November 2, 2022

    The audience was stunned. During his presentation at an FT Moral Money event on 19 May 2022, Stuart Kirk, the head of responsible investments at HSBC Asset Management, was adamant: “Climate change is not a financial risk that we need to worry about.” Was he breaking rank or shining a light on general insincerity? Despite its surge in popularity, many suspect that ESG investing will not address our generation’s urgent challenges. Consider the battle against...

  • COP27 Preview: Five questions that will shape the climate summit

    October 27, 2022

    Michael Hartt, Senior Partner and Head of International Affairs One year after the notable progress on climate action at COP26 in Glasgow, government figures, civil society organisations, scientific experts and business leaders are now preparing to visit Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, for COP27. But even with clear evidence the climate crisis is worsening, this year’s summit will open with difficult questions for attendees about whether the pace and depth of action is enough. The Egyptian...

  • Fleishmanhillard and Powerscourt appointed by Landsec for major corporate brief

    October 26, 2022

    An innovative agency collaboration secures a wide-ranging brief Following an extensive tender process, a combined FleishmanHillard and Powerscourt team has been appointed by FTSE-100 listed company Landsec, one of the UK’s biggest real estate companies. The wide-ranging mandate, spanning public affairs, issues management, campaigns and corporate communications, is shared between FleishmanHillard and Powerscourt as they join forces and create an innovative agency collaboration that combines the best of both firms for Landsec. The move follows...

  • What does authentic communication feel like in practice?

    July 27, 2022

    What does it take to bring an authentic voice to one of the UK economy’s most important sectors and how does it affect one of the leading voices in the national debate? Kate Nicholls OBE, CEO of UKHospitality talks about her experience as one of the most vocal communicators for the hospitality sector at the height of the pandemic. In conversation with Liam McCloy, Partner & EMEA Lead for Food, Agribusiness and Beverage at FleishmanHillard...