Strategy should always be provisional. You still don’t know what you don’t know.  Dedicate a healthy proportion of focus and resources to explore the new.

There is a clear requirement to think about the impact of our operations on others - or be held accountable.

Who’s still missing from COP27? Representation matters

Public ESG commitments need a plan. Publish the small steps and cultural increments, as well as the loud headline targets.

The IPO market is effectively closed for new listings as the economy continues to grapple with rising inflation, geopolitical tensions and market volatility. But if you are waiting for the right conditions to float, consider acting as if listed now.

Cybersecurity incidents, such as ransomware attacks, phishing and data breaches, are on the rise globally. But as risk evolves, so do tools for defence. Act before a cyber security breach causes financial and reputational damage.

The role of the jester was not to amuse but rather to tell the truth.  Our boards and teams must speak up. Creating a culture safe enough for contrarian views defines success.

Biodiversity is the fastest developing ESG theme in global capital markets. Maintain planetary boundaries.

The IPO market has been subdued in the first half of 2022 as the market entered bear conditions. However, there is a strong pipeline of IPOs, with tech expected to continue to lead the charge in terms of the number of deals.

Adopt systems thinking to fully understand and minimise the impacts of the energy crisis on your business.

As we face another national crisis, social responsibility is moving decisively up the business agenda. It is the perfect time to demonstrate your purpose in action. What will you do?

Movement towards a circular economy brings an opportunity to embed economic value creation as part of a sustainable future. 

The battle for Number Ten is down to two candidates and the cost of living and energy crisis has become the key issue. It’s not only a hot topic for the leadership race. There are further regulations coming into force.

An IPO can often do as much for a company’s reputation and profile as it can for raising funds. It can be the biggest communications opportunity a company has ever had. Owned, earned, and paid media are equally important.

It is not just for political rants or Love Island fans. Social media is increasingly being used for Capital Markets communications. Harnessing the digitalisation of communication effectively can impact your bottom line considerably.

Having long-term hybrid and flexible working policies is a key benefit for attracting a more diverse workforce. Gen Z won’t settle for anything less than hybrid according to McKinsey.

Gender reporting has become an established element of corporate ESG activity since gender pay gap reporting regulations were introduced in 2017. But creating a diverse organisation takes far more than a gender parity mindset.

Why has ESG become interchangeable with The Environment, when governance has the longest track record and predictability of success?  

Whilst no metric is currently available to detect greenwashing, authorities and activists are interrogating companies’ sustainability claims to test the reliability of sustainability indices.

Mary was formerly communications director on the executive committee of cross-Channel rail service, Eurostar, and prior to that led communications for Lloyds Banking Group.