Business & Society

Tackling the UK’s Cost of Living Crisis

Five Key Takeaways for Business

21 March 2023

Peace Comes Dropping Slow

A commitment to the hard work of tackling global challenges explains the purpose and success of the Paris Peace Forum, Founder Justin Vaïsse tells the Brunswick Review.

By Kevin Helliker
09 November 2022

Getting It Done

As business and politics move from net-zero commitments to action, the major theme of this year’s climate week was “getting it done.”

By Liz Dahan
30 September 2022

The Right Chemistry

From baby diapers to electric vehicles, Nippon Shokubai’s portfolio touches all manner of sustainable products. CEO Yujiro Goto talks to Brunswick’s Daisuke Tsuchiya and Ayumi Ban about the secret behind the chemical company’s proprietary technology and partnership.

By Daisuke Tsuchiya
21 June 2022

Your Word Is Your Bond: Strategic Communication for Sustainable Bonds Issuance

Brunswick insights into the alignment of sustainable bonds and corporate ESG strategies

By Dan Lambeth
25 May 2022

ESG during the 2022 AGM season

Insights from Brunswick’s Global ESG Practice

By Stefanie Chalk
07 April 2022

ESG Keywords 2022

The ESG issue “keywords” we expect to hear in 2022.

By Lucy Parker
15 March 2022

The Business of Equity

Diversity, equity and inclusion must be embedded into all the activity of an organization. Brunswick’s Deepali Bagati speaks with Deloitte Global Inclusion Leader Emma Codd.

By Deepali Bagati
15 March 2022

Stamping Out Slavery

There are more slaves today than at any point in recorded human history. Many are hidden in the maze of vast, complex supply chains. Lulwa Rizkallah and Kathryn Casson spoke to four leading experts on what businesses can—and should—do.

By Kathryn Casson
15 March 2022

Business in the Ecosystem

More businesses internationally are seeing their responsibilities to nature and biodiversity. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema is leading the call. She speaks with Brunswick’s Nick Rice.

By Nick Rice
15 March 2022

The (un)Just Transition

The CEO of Exxaro, one of South Africa’s largest Black-empowered resource companies, discusses a journey to net zero that doesn’t leave communities behind.

By Itumeleng Mahabane
15 March 2022

Business for Inclusive Growth

The CEO-led coalition B4IG brings the force of private enterprise to the battle against inequality on many fronts, everywhere in the world. Brunswick’s Christophe Guibeleguiet and Ann-Kathrin Richter speak with CEO Camille Putois on the organization’s mission.

15 March 2022

Indra Nooyi & Ajay Banga

The former CEO of Mastercard interviews the former CEO of PepsiCo about the challenges of social purpose in the US, India and around the world.

15 March 2022

UN Global Compact CEO Sanda Ojiambo

The leader of the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative says the pandemic has sparked record participation among its members. She shares her plans to build upon that momentum while combating “greenwashing.”

By Edward Stephens
15 March 2022

Health in Mind

From handling mental illness, the business focus has switched to creating mental health. Poppy Jaman OBE, CEO of the City Mental Health Alliance, speaks to Brunswick’s Ann-Kathrin Richter about her life’s work.

By Ann-Kathrin Richter
15 March 2022

Mark Carney Talks Value(s)

The leading voice on sustainable finance speaks with Brunswick CEO Neal Wolin.

By Neal Wolin
15 March 2022

A Framework for Purposeful Business

An interview with Oxford professor Colin Mayer.

By Lucy Parker
15 March 2022

A New Net Positive Role for Business

How businesses can please investors by addressing society’s biggest challenges. By Paul Polman & Andrew Winston.

By Paul Polman
15 March 2022

The Paris Peace Forum

Brunswick’s Pascal Lamy, President of the Paris Peace Forum, describes the opportunities the event presents for global corporations to engage with governments, peers and civil society toward solving the world’s toughest problems.

By Pascal Lamy
15 March 2022

The Road from COP26

New Brunswick research on what the public took away from the historic climate conference.

By Katharine Peacock
15 March 2022

In Conversation: Nithi Patarachoke

A President at the Cement-Building Materials Business of one Southeast Asia’s leading conglomerates, SCG (formerly known as the Siam Cement Group), Nithi Patarachoke recently spoke with Brunswick about leadership, sustainability commitments, and key trends set to shape Southeast Asia.

By Dararin Choomsai Na Ayuthaya
12 January 2022

Climate Ambition vs. Energy Reality

Jason Bordoff of Columbia University talks to Stephen Power.

By Stephen Power
12 November 2021

Help Capitalism Save the World... and Save Capitalism Itself

Paris offers a symbolic platform to do both, says Brunswick’s Hakim El Karoui.

11 November 2021

All the Difference in the World

How you make the argument for climate action significantly affects the extent to which the public supports it, according to Brunswick research across eight major economies.

By Phil Drew
28 October 2021

Champion for Climate Action

Nigel Topping is tasked with encouraging businesses and investors to be more ambitious in combating climate change. He speaks with Brunswick climate expert Phil Drew.

By Phil Drew
19 October 2021

Directors Learn Their ESGs

Brunswick’s Maria Figueroa Küpçü talks to Professor Tensie Whelan, Director of the Center for Sustainable Business at NYU’s Stern School of Business, about the need to reshape corporate leadership for the future.

22 June 2021

Foreword: The Inequality Issue

Welcome to the second edition of the Brunswick Social Value Review, born of our belief that to be a leading company in today’s world you need to deliver financial value alongside social value.

By Lucy Parker
17 February 2021

Change the Race Ratio

It’s time for businesses to set and publish clear targets on racial diversity, says Lord Karan Bilimoria, President of the Confederation of British Industry. He talks to Brunswick’s Jon Miller about a bold campaign.

By Jon Miller
17 February 2021

Activism for Humanity

Now a UK citizen, Nigerian gay activist Bisi Alimi draws on his experiences to battle inequality on all fronts—and he has a message for business.

By Jon Miller
17 February 2021

Refugee Inclusion: The Power of Potential

Beyond the social impact of supporting refugee communities, an inclusive approach also makes good economic sense. Leaders from the Tent Partnership, a coalition of over 100 multinationals, talk about their work with Brunswick’s Tom McGivan and Ann-Kathrin Richter.

By Tom McGivan
17 February 2021

Two-Faced on Climate

Data and analysis nonprofit InfluenceMap is helping investors keep corporations honest about their climate lobbying. Executive Director Dylan Tanner talks to Lucy Parker and Simon Maine.

By Lucy Parker
17 February 2021

The Path to Harmonization: What's Next for ESG Disclosure?

Brunswick’s Amelia Pan talks to Janine Guillot, CEO of SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board), whose organization might hold the answer.

17 February 2021

From Business to Social Leadership on Food Waste

A behind-the-scenes look at developing a powerful leadership campaign across the global food system, by Lucy Parker and Jon Miller, founding Partners of Brunswick’s Business & Society offer.

By Lucy Parker
17 February 2021

New Challenge to Old Power

On the same day that Henry Timms talked with Brunswick Chairman Sir Alan Parker about how to harness “new power,” the global, grassroots philanthropic movement he co-founded raised more than $2.4 billion.

By Sir Alan Parker
04 February 2021

New Challenge to Old Power

On the same day that Henry Timms talked with Brunswick Chairman Sir Alan Parker about how to harness “new power,” the global, grassroots philanthropic movement he co-founded raised more than $2.4 billion.

By Sir Alan Parker
04 February 2021

Drawing the Line on Deforestation

Helmy Othman Basha, Managing Director of palm oil producer Sime Darby Plantation, talks with Brunswick's Lucy Parker about transparency as the front-line of transforming the industry.

By Lucy Parker
22 January 2020

Lifeline

When Sierra Leone was in the throes of the deadly Ebola outbreak, Africell mobilized a comprehensive response. Brunswick’s Sam Williams talks to the CEO.

By Sam Williams
22 January 2020

Alt-Capitalism

From the founding of B Lab in 2006, the “benefit corporation” has inspired a growing movement. Is it a niche, or the future of business? Brunswick’s Carlton Wilkinson reports.

By Carlton Wilkinson
22 January 2020

A List to Change the World

Fortune CEO Alan Murray, a hard-nosed journalist, tells Brunswick’s Kevin Helliker that the executive quest for social value is a genuine movement.

By Kevin Helliker
22 January 2020

Sustainability Pioneer

Brambles CEO Graham Chipchase sat down with Brunswick’s Phil Drew and Jordan Bickerton to talk about Brambles as a sustainability model.

By Phil Drew
22 January 2020

Medicine Where Needed

Takeda stood out on the Access to Medicine Index by jumping from No. 15 in 2016 to the No. 5 slot in 2018. To get the story behind that, Brunswick’s Ben Fry and Will Carnwath interview Takeda’s Dr. Susanne Weissbaecker.

By Will Carnwath
22 January 2020

Briefing: The Gender Pay Gap

This persistent problem dogs the business world and limits its potential. Here’s what you need to know.

22 January 2020

Foreword

Editors in Chief Lucy Parker & Jon Miller are Partners leading Brunswick’s global Social Value offering.

By Lucy Parker
22 January 2020

EU Sets the Pace

The EU is set to become the first mover in stronger climate regulation, and the impact will be global, say Brunswick’s Fiona Wright and Ayrton Thevissen.

By Ayrton Thevissen
22 January 2020

Dame Ellen MacArthur: Looking at Everything Differently

In 2005, Ellen MacArthur became the fastest solo sailor to circumnavigate the globe. Five years later, she set up the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to accelerate the transition to a circular economy.

By Dame Ellen MacArthur
22 January 2020

Building a Circular Economy

Andrew Morlet, Ellen MacArthur Foundation CEO, talks to Brunswick’s Caroline Daniel about rethinking the global economic system.

By Caroline Daniel
22 January 2020

Issue Focus: Climate Geopolitics

The focus of the debut edition of the Brunswick Social Value Review is Climate Geopolitics, Jon Miller takes a look at the featured articles.

By Jon Miller
22 January 2020

Climate Geopolitics: The Data

Brunswick’s Jon Miller looks at the climate science and potential impacts.

By Jon Miller
22 January 2020

Opportunities in the Policy Portfolio Model

By Brunswick Geopolitical Principal Robert B. Zoellick, former President of the World Bank and former head of US climate policy negotiations.

By Robert Zoellick
22 January 2020

Trade Can Catalyze Climate Action

Trade and climate talks need to come together, argues Brunswick’s Kate Fall.

By Kate Fall
22 January 2020

Shifting Power Balance in a Low-Carbon World

Pascal Lamy, Brunswick’s Chair of Europe and former Director-General of the World Trade Organization, on the global energy dynamics.

By Pascal Lamy
22 January 2020

The Climate Leaders of the Future

Cities, citizens and corporations are stepping into a climate leadership void, says Brunswick Geopolitical Principal Lord Charles Powell, former Private Secretary and Advisor to two UK prime ministers.

By Lord Charles Powell
22 January 2020

Pitfalls of Purpose

Businesses face reputational risks when rushing to demonstrate social value. Brunswick’s Jon Miller and Meaghan Ramsey examine how to avoid them.

By Jon Miller
22 January 2020

Investors & Climate Change: What's Really Going On?

Investors are increasingly noisy on climate change, but is there a gap between words and actions? Brunswick’s Christophe Guibeleguiet and Jessica Atkins investigate.

By Jessica Atkins
22 January 2020

The Corporate Climate

Brunswick’s Phil Drew examines the mounting pressures and costs businesses face from climate change, and highlights what leadership will look like in the “decisive decade.”

By Phil Drew
22 January 2020

Geopolitical Impact

Climate change is redrawing the map, not just of the physical world, but the political and economic.

22 January 2020

The Plastics Predicament

The jihadist group al-Shabaab banned single-use plastic bags in 2017, an order similar to the kind found today in 90 countries, including a number that have designated al-Shabaab as a terrorist organisation. If it’s true that a common danger can unite enemies, it’s difficult to think of one as unifying as plastics.

By Dan Roberts
16 December 2019

The Pitfalls of Purpose

Recent years have seen a growing focus on the “purpose” of companies. Businesses are asked to show how they add value to society – beyond shareholders’ dividends or bosses’ bonuses. This pressure is coming from an unlikely alliance of consumers, employees, campaigners, academics, regulators and even investors.

By Meaghan Ramsey
09 October 2019

Pride of Tanzania

During the 10 days that Africa’s youngest billionaire, Mohammed Dewji, was captured and held hostage in Tanzania, an extraordinary thing happened. Throngs of everyday Tanzanians, many struggling with poverty, poured into the streets and took to social media to pray for his release.

By Craig Mullaney
04 June 2019

Matt Damon and Gary White Turn On a Life-Saving Faucet

The Water.org founders argue the way to bring clean water and sanitation to the poor of the world at scale isn’t by drilling wells or installing toilets. Nor is it through charity alone. The solution, they say, is market-based financing.

By Edward Stephens
04 June 2019

Bottom Line Engagement

Social issues are business performance issues, says Brunswick's Maria Figueroa Küpçü. Leaders can no longer afford to shy away.

By Noah Kristula-Green
04 June 2019

Investor Climate Action

Investors managing a collective $33 trillion are pushing companies to improve their resilience to climate change. Adam Matthews of The Church of England Pensions Board tells Brunswick’s Phil Drew and William Medvei where this is heading next.

By Phil Drew
04 June 2019

Reservoir of Goodwill

Kosmos Energy discovered a massive natural gas field off the coast of West Africa. There was one significant obstacle: It sat on the maritime boundary of two countries that had once fought a border war. CEO Andrew Inglis tells the story to Brunswick’s Stuart Donnelly and Andrew von Kerens.

By Stuart Donnelly
04 June 2019

Taking A Stance

Social issues are business performance issues, says Brunswick's Maria Figueroa Küpçü. Leaders can no longer afford to shy away.

By Noah Kristula-Green
04 June 2019

Lost in Translation – What about young people's understanding of values today?

Value Atlas Bavaria: Results of a recent study on the understanding of values of young adults in Bavaria, prepared by the Brunswick Group and the Stiftung Wertebündnis Bayern.

31 January 2019

Workplace Conduct: Wake-Up Call

Research shows leadership need to demonstrate responsiveness.

17 January 2019

Taking Care of Your Own

A program for donations of paid time off strengthens workforce satisfaction.

17 January 2019

Unhooked

Philip Bowcock, CEO of UK bookmaker William Hill, discusses the firm’s strategy to combat gambling-related harm and addiction.

By Alastair Morton
17 January 2019

Third culture companies

Like people, companies at home in multiple cultures are better able to handle the challenges of a global business community

15 October 2018

Employees don’t care about strategy – or do they?

A couple of weeks ago a CEO expressed their frustration at employees not understanding the company strategy. They said: “when I ask employees to explain our strategy, each person gives a different answer. What can I do?”

By Nick Howard
04 October 2018

Singapore slang

Four languages, one "economic miracle"

By Edward Stephens
11 June 2018

Dambisa Moyo

The best-selling author, economist and Chevron Board member speaks to the Brunswick Review about the future of democracy

By Kevin Helliker
11 June 2018

Chief philanthropy officer

Robin Hood CEO Wes Moore is a decorated veteran, best-selling author, White House Fellow, social entrepreneur, Rhodes Scholar, former investment banker – and approaching his 40th birthday.

11 June 2018

Shaping the workforce of the future

In this latest qualitative study, Brunswick asked CHROs and CEOs from 13 DAX companies and other large German enterprises about tomorrow's working world.

By Nadja Rappold
11 April 2018

Saving Kansas City

Former Mayor Carol Marinovich tells Brunswick about her campaign to revitalize a forgotten city

By Kevin Helliker
07 March 2018

Why the tech companies dominated Davos

Tech issues dominated media coverage of Davos and the discussion on social media – according to analysis by Brunswick.

By Jon Miller
30 January 2018

Time for Leaders to Act on Social Issues

Sustainability and social issues take center stage at Davos

By Stacey Chow
26 January 2018

The economic rationale for gender parity

Less about #metoo, more about the economics

By Laura Buchanan
25 January 2018

Why CEOs are bothered about global LGBT+ rights

Open For Business is a coalition of global companies making the economic and business case for LGBT+ inclusion

By Jon Miller
06 November 2017

The CEO, The Bees, and His Scooter

Arnaud Poupart-Lafarge, CEO of Nexans, says his 26,000 employees are a larger priority than shareholders. Zaina Jabur reports.

27 September 2017

Green energy

Football star and entrepreneur Mathieu Flamini talks to Brunswick’s Stuart Donnelly and Simon Maine about sustaining two demanding careers

By Stuart Donnelly
28 June 2017

Finding beauty in adversity

Coco Zhang, Vice President of Mary Kay China, tells how her life story drives her career. Brunswick’s Dr Lu Jianzhong and Baijia Liu report

27 June 2017

Next-gen capitalism

We need a reboot, for goodness sake

27 June 2017

Terms of the social contract

Today’s leading businesses create social value alongside financial value, say Brunswick’s Jon Miller and Lucy Parker

By Lucy Parker
10 April 2017

The battle cry of freedom

Charoen Pokphand group’s Senior Chairman and CEO, father and son, talk to Brunswick’s Will Carnwath about taking on the fight against slave labor

By Will Carnwath
10 April 2017

When corporates become activists

Leading pharma company Novo Nordisk has launched a global fight against “urban diabetes.”

By Lucy Parker
10 April 2017

Warming to the challenge

While politicians debate the reality of climate change, a clear consensus for action has emerged in the business world. Brunswick’s Phil Drew and Jordan Bickerton report

By Phil Drew
10 April 2017

The practice of inclusion

Brunswick’s Carolina Espinal and David Sutphen speak with BlackRock’s Jonathan McBride about why “inclusive” is not simply a synonym for “diverse”

10 April 2017

To have and have not

Inequality is rising to dangerous levels. Brunswick’s Jon Miller looks at the ways business may be complicit in this trend and what, if anything, can be done to reverse it

By Jon Miller
10 April 2017

Business forges a path to progress

Pressures at home and abroad inspire increasing social and environmental efforts from Chinese corporations.

By Stacey Chow
10 April 2017

Banking on a better world

Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters and General Counsel David Fein talk to Brunswick’s Caroline Daniel about fighting financial crime

By Caroline Daniel
10 April 2017

Rewiring social investment

BHP Billiton’s James Ensor talks to Brunswick’s James Dray about how corporations are expanding impact by redesigning giving

By James Dray
10 April 2017

Business says, Willkommen

German companies want to open the door of opportunity for the nation’s refugees.

10 April 2017

Real beauty, real impact

Meaghan Ramsey shares what it takes to create signature programs that deliver measurable change

By Meaghan Ramsey
10 April 2017

A tale of two stories

Value creation needs a new narrative, weaving together both financial and non-financial considerations

By Ian Roe
10 April 2017

Evil Inc.

Mirror, mirror on the screen, who’s meanest of the mean? Movies reveal how tarnished the image of corporations really is

10 April 2017

What we talk about when we talk about diversity

The most progressive business leaders see the benefit of a broad definition, says Brunswick's Jon Miller

By Jon Miller
18 April 2016

Open For Business

Open, diverse and inclusive societies are better for business, economies and individuals. By Brunswick’s Jon Miller and Lucy Parker

By Jon Miller
18 April 2016

Sustainability and corporate citizenship

Companies in China are racing to shape strategy around social needs, say Brunswick’s Lu Jianzhong and Tong Zhao

18 April 2016

Foundation of equality

Ford Foundation President Darren Walker is throwing down the gauntlet to business to join organizations like his and tackle the really big issues

18 April 2016

South Africa - Investors press for social change

While South Africa doesn’t have US-style activists yet, its culture of corporate transparency has encouraged a domestic form of activism, emphasizing social transformation.

By Timothy Schultz
12 October 2015

Everybody’s business

Big business can be a powerful engine for social change, as Jon Miller and Lucy Parker report

By Jon Miller
10 March 2014

The 11 Conversations: Environment & Resources

Many of us are barely aware of the fragility of the resources we depend upon for our survival. Even the basics, such as water, can no longer be taken for granted. The fact that there are more of us on the planet means the strain on our resources has increased.

By Lucy Parker
31 May 2012

The 11 Conversations: Health

Health is one of the great arenas of human progress, from the eradication of smallpox to the development of prosthetic hands that are nimble enough to type.

31 May 2012

The 11 Conversations: Education & Skills

Across the globe and over the centuries, education has always been highly valued. For the individual, education can have a massive transformative effect.

31 May 2012

The 11 Conversations: Communities

Man is a social animal, hardwired to want to join groups. It is at the community level that most people experience everyday connections.

By Lucy Parker
31 May 2012

The 11 Conversations: Energy & Climate Change

Rising living standards have resulted in a dramatic increase in demand for energy. Since the industrial revolution, total global commercial energy use has increased a hundredfold.

By Sarah West
31 May 2012

The 11 Conversations: Consumer Culture

When a country’s economy is strong, consumer culture thrives. Individuals are motivated by the desire for certain products or services and businesses respond with innovations and new products.

31 May 2012

The 11 Conversations: Population

Ten thousand years ago, there were only a few million humans on Earth; they were rare beasts. By 2050, there may be as many as 9bn of us.

31 May 2012

The 11 Conversations: Security

In an increasingly interdependent and dynamic world, the array of possible threats and risks is rapidly evolving.

31 May 2012

The 11 Conversations: Communication

The communications revolution goes far beyond Facebook updates or satellite navigation systems: it means rural farmers in India can have up-to-the-minute data on crop prices and plan their harvests accordingly.

By Jon Miller
31 May 2012

The 11 Conversations: Human Rights

Dignity, liberty, equality and brotherhood – these principles underpin the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, written by the international community in the wake of the horrors of the Second World War.

By Jon Miller
31 May 2012

The 11 Conversations: Global Economy

Trade between countries is thousands of years old, but in the past three decades it has skyrocketed – quadrupling between 1980 and 2008. Global trade also moves faster than ever, processed in milliseconds rather than minutes.

31 May 2012

Making The Case For Business

Each of The 11 Conversations is about finding responses to the world’s big challenges.

By Jon Miller
31 May 2012