In the magazine this month our expert commentators and journalists take a hard look at whether companies can restore trust and respond to demands to act on climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals

This month, our topic is no less than the future of capitalism, in the wake of the recent statement by the Business Roundtable, made up of 200 of the biggest names in global business, that the purpose of a corporation is no longer primarily about making money for shareholders, but should also benefit employees, communities and the environment.

Mark Hillsdon asks whether the statement is self-serving PR or marks a true shift in business mindset, amid growing pressure from society for companies to step up to their responsibility to act on issues like climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals.

We have a trio of expert commentators: David Grayson, chair of the Institute of Business Ethics, looks at how to turn the 2020s into a transformational decade for business; Professor Colin Mayer of Oxford University’s Saïd Business School calls for greater transparency to rescue 21st century capitalism; and Helle Bank Jorgensen, founder of Competent Boards, looks at how social and environmental impact issues are rising to the top of the C-suite agenda.

(Credit: Number 1411/Shutterstock)
 

I interview Gilbert Ghostine, CEO of Swiss fragrance and flavours giant Firmenich, about its inclusive capitalism business model, while Amy Brown speaks to Barry Parkin of Mars Inc to find out why having responsibility for both sustainability and procurement is critical to the confectionary company meeting its ambitious commitment to align itself with a 1.5C future.

With divisions over Brexit damaging Britain’s social fabric and depressing its economy, David Craik reports on how companies like Lush, SSE and Richer Sounds are seeking to pair commercial growth with social progress.

And he looks at how business is contributing to this agenda in Wales, which in 2016 became the first state to enshrine the Sustainable Development Goals by passing the Well-being of Future Generations Act.

Hopefully that will be enough to keep readers going until November, when our focus turns to sustainable transport and responsible mining.

Terry Slavin is editor of Ethical Corporation

Main picture credit: Mike Dotta/Shutterstock
 

    

Business Roundtable  David Grayson  Colin Mayer  Helle Bank Jorgensen  Firmenich  Mars Inc 

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