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the express

Your rapid run-down of what’s happening in CRS this month

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Latest CRS News

Join the new Fellows Hub

We are pleased to announce the creation of an exciting ICRS initiative aimed exclusively at Fellows of the Institute: the Fellows Hub. The Fellows Hub will provide a confidential forum for discussing the challenges we all face in guiding our organisations to become more responsible and sustainable. 
 
The new Fellows Hub will be an action learning network providing senior practitioners with the opportunity to benefit from the knowledge and experience of their peers. It is hoped that, through sharing ideas and challenging perceptions, Fellows will acquire new perspectives and skills to help them in their day-to-day roles. These in-depth sessions will be matched by other events that are designed to be a more open and offer a general exploration of emerging trends and issues. 

At this stage, we are reaching out to our Fellows to ask if they would be willing to join the Steering Committee to help further shape the design and development of this network. The Hub will be co-chaired by Karin Mueller and Andrew Wilson, ICRS Fellows and Board Directors. We hope that Steering Committee members will see this as a great opportunity both to support their peers in the CRS profession and grow their own skills and network.

Apply to join the Steering Committee here.

NCVO releases Road Ahead report

NCVO have released their Road Ahead report 2021, an annual analysis of the changing operating environment for the voluntary sector.  It identifies and explains the forces and trends that are shaping the sector and likely to have an impact on organisations in the future.

In light of the difficulties that COVID-19 has posed and sustained uncertainty, organisations will need to ensure they can be as responsive and adaptable as possible. This means moving away from long or even medium-term strategy, both as we grapple with the emergency response and rebuild society anew in the future. 

Read the report here

2021 Social Mobility Employer Index to open on 1 March

The 2021 Social Mobility Employer Index will open for submissions from 1 March to late May. The free to enter Index is an important bench-marking initiative that ranks Britain’s employers on the actions they are taking to ensure they are open to accessing and progressing talent from all backgrounds. The Index also showcases the progress companies are making towards improving social mobility. 

Click here to join the mailing list and access the Index when it opens. 

ICRS Member Davy releases Sustainability 2021 - An investor's perspective

While the sustainability landscape in early 2020 was initially framed by the urgency of the global environmental crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic has subsequently played a defining role in expediting and broadening the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) lens. Those at the margins of society were exposed quickest and spotlighted a broader range of issues from income inequality, diversity and inclusion to social injustice and employee welfare.


Investors have concluded that they can no longer look the other way and are ready to address these ESG issues within their portfolios. The sustainability ‘asks’ on business are growing in complexity and are challenging to navigate. This white paper distils the key sustainability and ESG trends that organisations need to know to meet increased shareholder and wider stakeholder expectations.

Download the white paper here.

Congratulations to ICRS member Yasmin Waljee OBE

The ICRS congratulates member Yasmin Waljee OBE on recently being promoted to Partner, Pro Bono at law firm Hogan Lovells in recognition of the enormous contribution she has made over the years in CR and pro bono work. Yasmin's contribution to advancing pro bono within the legal profession sets the example for the rest of the sector.

ICRS Members contribute towards toolkit for improving conversations about race in the workplace

ICRS Organisational Members Herbert Smith Freehills, Allen & Overy and Hogan Lovells have joined forces to continue efforts to improve ethnic diversity and promote a better understanding of race.

The NOTICED Toolkit will help individuals identify and deal with micro-aggressions, understand what actions can help them be an effective ally and hold effective conversations in the workplace. The guide also offers a number of practical solutions that law firms can take to improve. These focus on hiring and promotion and how firms can expand support beyond the legal profession.

Access the toolkit here.

CAF and ICRS join forces for Responsible Business Event

Sustainability issues have rarely had so much global attention. But, according to a new report from The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), many companies aren’t taking their sustainability responsibilities seriously enough. We are pleased to announce an upcoming event in late March, in partnership with CAF, that explores how to successfully drive co-owned sustainability change that helps turn corporate purpose into practice.

Further details to follow on our event page. Watch this space to register.

In other news

'Also in the News' features recently published announcements drawn from a range of media outlets. The authors' opinions are not indicative of ICRS’s stance or viewpoint.

Coming up

ICRS regional Hubs Leeds Hub: the CR & Sustainability Salary Survey 2020 

16:00 - 17:00 | webinar

Join us for a discussion with Paul Burke, Head of the ICRS Secretariat, on how the landscape of corporate responsibility and sustainability has changed, and the trends driving last year's Salary Survey. 

Register to attend

ICRS REGIONAL HUBS Central london hub: responsible banking

14:00 - 15:00 | webinar

Ahead of the next COP meeting (Nov 2021) in Glasgow, the question is being asked about what the Banking sector should be focusing its resources on, what challenges lie ahead, and how do we re-establish ‘trust’ in the financial system? Join the Central London Hub and guest speaker John Martin to find out more.

Register to attend

ICRS regional hubs northwest hub coffee morning

10:30 - 11:30 | social

Join us for an informal coffee break and catch up, and an opportunity to check in with fellow CRS professionals in the Northwest.  We'll aim to discuss the opportunities for joining the Hub Steering Committee and will also talk through everyone’s plans and agenda for the coming year and where members may be able to provide support and advice.


Register to attend

ICRS Regional hubs Oxford Hub: The Challenge of Achieving Net Zero

11:30 - 12:45| webinar

Join the Oxford Hub and 3 expert guest speakers to talk about the important contributions the University of Oxford and business are making to achieving Net Zero. Our panel will speak for 10 minutes each, leaving plenty of time for discussion.  

Register to attend

ICRS regional hubs West London hub

16:00 - 18:00 | social

This will be the first of the West London events taking place in 2021. Join to meet CRS professionals in your area and engage in an interesting conversation. 

Register to attend

Chatham house responsible business live 2021

| conference

A business blueprint for the new normal.

Join us, senior business leaders, policymakers and the investment community to explore pathways to resilient and sustainable growth at the next annual Chatham House Responsible Business conference on 22–23 February.

ICRS Members can attend on a complimentary basis. See more and book here.

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Not a member yet?

Many of our events and resources are exclusively available to Organisational or Individual Members.

You can read more about the benefits of membership here.

Skills development

Online course: Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability in Practice

ICRS Membership

This online course introduces ICRS Individual and Organisational members to the key competencies required to manage a socially responsible, environmentally aware, inclusive and ethical business.  The course has been developed as a partnership between the International Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility (ICCSR) and the ICRS.

The self-guided course is available to ICRS members. 

Read more and take the course here

Diversity in sustainability
RESEARCH survey

Diversity in Sustainability are excited to announce that the first global survey to assess the state of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Sustainability is now live. 

In this survey, we want to better understand how diverse the sector is, barriers to entering the field, and the level of equity and inclusion in our organisations.

If you work in the field of sustainability, we want to hear your experience and perspective.

Take the survey here

 

Meet the Member

Eva Cahill FICRS

Eva's childhood in a country village in Ireland triggered her interest in environmental protection. Her career has been varied, but always led by her heart.


Read Eva's story here

Read our archive of Member Stories here 

jobs

Senior Resesarch Associate Research Software Engineer: Dimpact

University of Bristol 

Climate & Environment Reporting Manager
NatWest Group 

Diversity and Inclusion Manager
Norton Rose Fulbright

Environmental Program Manager - Extended Producer Responsibility
Amazon

Net Zero Carbon - Project Implementation Plan Design Services


Principle Consultant - Environmental Policy

Ricardo
 

ESG and Impacts Manager

Responsible Jewellery Council

Diversity, Inclusion & CR Executive
Bird & Bird

Get involved

Do you have something you'd like to contribute to the Express (opinion pieces, interviews, case studies, etc.)? Contact us.


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