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How to be a non-executive driver for sustainability
Whether driven by intrinsic motivation or extrinsic drivers like client demands and legislation, sustainability is here to stay for companies. Non-executive directors can play a big role in accelerating the integration of sustainability into corporate strategy and beyond. On October 12, 2023, the Advisory Board Circle convened over female leaders to discuss integrating sustainability into…
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The discomfort of directors’ responsibility
A group of 38 Dutch executive and non-executive directors spent nearly two years working together on sustainability in the boardroom. In the program, they identified good practices, virtues, and capabilities required for effective leadership in societal transitions. The outcomes of this program – aptly called “Discomfort in the boardroom” – were presented at an event…
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Corporate governance for a sustainable future
“The debate on corporate governance is often deeply conservative and backward-looking. Yet in the future, companies that orient themselves to engage with an environment that will be significantly affected by systemic risks will fare best. A key aspect of enabling company leaders to do so is to rethink what corporate governance is. But changes in…
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Sustainable leaders provide perspective
The transition to sustainable energy is central to both his job and his supervisory board role. The difference in scope of these two roles makes it so interesting, says Jan Engels: “In my job as policy manager cooling at the Climate Coalition Netherlands, I’m very focused on the content. As a supervisory board member at…
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Connection and diversity for long-term value creation and impact
When asked why she serves on supervisory boards, she is quick to answer. Petri Hofste wants to be involved with organizations in a broad strategic way, to have an impact, to make this world slightly better. After a role as supervisor of financial institutions at the Dutch National Bank, serving on supervisory boards was a…
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Tips to bring sustainability into the boardroom
The Dutch corporate governance code was updated in 2016, placing long-term value creation at the forefront. But what defines long-term these days? And for whom should this value be created? Primarily for shareholders, for clients and other stakeholders, or for society at large? Therefore, sustainability is a very strategic topic for discussion in the boardroom.…
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How to transform sustainability reporting to a tool for positive change
Let’s talk about how to transform reporting from a burden into a tool to build a better future. Our earlier posts zoomed in on materiality, but in the end, it’s all about creating that better future. Here’s our take on how to get more out of your reporting efforts. Just in time for the people…
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Making Dutch trains ride like the wind
Meet Carola Wijdoogen, Corporate Sustainability Officer of the Dutch Railways. Carola and I met each other decades ago when studying business at Nyenrode University. Little did we know that we’d end up working in the field of corporate sustainability. When Carola recently published a book to share her experience and tips with other CSR managers,…
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How to avoid the materiality traps
This time of year, the materiality marathon is on. Companies and consultants are on a journey to define what topics should be included in the upcoming sustainability or non-financial report. Materiality analysis can be an extremely useful and strategic exercise, with value far beyond reporting. However, the many definitions and adaptations to the concept can…
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Why investors are joining consumers and NGOs on tax evasion
When defining what sustainability and corporate social responsibility are really all about, tax should be part of the discussion. Increasingly, various stakeholders view corporate tax responsibility (CTR) as part of corporate social responsibility (CSR). In recent years, media coverage of companies’ tax policy and tax avoidance schemes has resulted in dented reputations, even consumer boycotts. Mainstream…
