Environmental, Social and Governance | ESG

We partner with boards to uphold the principles of good corporate governance, emphasising the alignment of people, processes, performance, and purpose. Our approach promotes accountability, transparency, fairness, and responsibility in decision-making, ensuring that business structures facilitate rather than hinder these objectives. Our advisory services encompass diverse areas, including board composition and diversity, executive compensation, organisational culture, directors' duties, internal controls, audit, and reporting. Drawing on extensive experience, we specialise in governance reviews, policy development, risk management, scenario planning, and response strategies. Additionally, we offer support in addressing challenges such as director misconduct, financial irregularities, and whistleblowing disclosures.

The significance of a business's impact on and engagement with its customers and the broader community is growing, driven by regulatory requirements and reputational concerns. Recognising the multifaceted nature of these interactions, our team serves as strategic advisors, guiding businesses to adopt a positive approach. We provide counsel on various issues, including data protection, building safety, corporate purpose, social value, anti-bribery and corruption measures, community engagement, dispute resolution, and crisis management planning and response. By addressing these diverse touchpoints comprehensively, we help businesses navigate complex regulatory landscapes and build enduring relationships with their stakeholders.

We assist businesses in identifying areas critical to workplace culture and translating ESG goals into actionable strategies. Our guidance supports proactive employers in developing a sustainable business model. Our advice is wide-ranging and includes the engagement of staff, shaping their terms, benefits and working practices, inclusivity, and diversity. We advise on reshaping practices and policies with an ESG focus, working closely with HR directors, boards, legal and compliance teams on strategic governance matters equality and pay transparency, diversity, inclusion, governance, and regulatory obligations including employee data protection. We provide counsel on preventing misconduct, discrimination and harassment, encouraging a 'speak up' culture, handling whistleblowing complaints, meeting health and safety obligations and ensuring staff wellbeing.

We provide comprehensive guidance to businesses and individuals facing greenwashing-related challenges. Our services include advising on compliant and ethical marketing strategies, protecting brands from deceptive practices, navigating regulatory requirements, addressing bribery and corruption risks, counselling directors and officers on their responsibilities amidst greenwashing allegations, and representing clients in litigation proceedings that may arise as a result.

We provide comprehensive guidance on business and human rights issues, aligned with the Ruggie Principles. Collaborating with businesses, we ensure the identification and mitigation of human rights risks across their operations and supply chains, while ensuring compliance with their non-financial reporting obligations. Our services encompass human rights impact assessments, policy development, advising on the OECD Principles and the United Nations Guiding Principles (UNGPs) on Business and Human Rights, due diligence, grievance mechanisms, and remedial action. We assist companies in developing and implementing processes and reporting mechanisms, while also addressing any identified transgressions and managing associated reputational concerns. Additionally, we advise on human rights within corporate governance frameworks, including modern slavery reporting obligations and supply chain risk reduction.

We guide businesses through diverse regulatory and compliance challenges, from due diligence for corporate transactions and implementing robust compliance frameworks, to self-reporting and liaising with regulators. Our expertise includes advising on whistleblowing policies and procedures, pay gap and modern slavery reporting, and obligations to prevent sexual harassment. We have significant experience advising clients on financial crime systems and controls, supporting organisations to address the new failure to prevent fraud corporate offence and other economic crimes, including anti-money laundering practices, navigating the intricacies of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and Money Laundering Regulations 2017.

We undertake compliance risk audits (including strategic non-financial audits), help devise policies, training and advise on internal investigations triggered by regulatory breaches and whistleblowing disclosures. We represent clients in respect of suspected breaches or criminal activity, investigations by regulatory bodies, addressing allegations spanning consumer protection, planning, food and product safety. We also offer comprehensive advice on data protection compliance, addressing profiling, monitoring and AI implications through our specialist Data Protection and Privacy team. Our holistic approach ensures businesses are equipped to navigate regulatory complexities efficiently and effectively.

Our dedicated team specialises in safeguarding brands and reputations, with a keen focus on ESG considerations. We offer comprehensive support in navigating various marketing and advertising challenges, such as affiliate campaigns, sponsorships, and ASA compliance, while addressing broader commercial agreements and associated reputational risks. In the event of a crisis, we swiftly assess and mitigate risks across ESG compliance, human rights, cybersecurity, data breaches, defamation, environmental impact, and employee relations. Leveraging our industry-specific knowledge, we deliver tailored guidance, empowering clients to anticipate and manage potential outcomes effectively.

In addition to legislation and regulatory mandates, the evolution of ESG standards is propelled by mounting expectations from diverse stakeholders, including investors, shareholders, employees, consumers, and suppliers. Businesses need to take their workforce and Board of Directors with them in order to deliver their ESG plans – employee engagement and consultation, ensuring Board diversity, setting performance goals and devising appropriate incentives. Our advisory services extend beyond compliance, encompassing comprehensive guidance tailored to businesses' specific needs. We assist in aligning strategic decisions with stakeholder interests, ensuring that ESG considerations are integrated into the core of business operations. In anticipation of stakeholder activism, we develop and execute proactive strategies aimed at swift dispute resolution, enabling our clients to maintain focus on their core business objectives while effectively addressing stakeholder concerns. Our expertise also extends to supply chain management, covering provenance, anti-bribery, anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, and contractual disputes.

Our multidisciplinary team advises asset managers and institutional investors on how to succeed in the increasingly ESG focused markets. Not only is there an increase in ESG regulation to navigate, but most investors will also only take an interest in offerings with strong ESG principles. We recommend compliant solutions to ensure responsible investments, robust policies and transparent reporting. From mitigating risks and driving positive impact, our tailored approach helps clients align their investments with environmental and social goals, while adhering to ethical standards.

We work with clients to address and monitor sustainability aspects of real estate. As the introduction of new and tighter legislation in this area increases, we advise clients on repurposing and retrofit opportunities in relation to acquisition, management and development. From advising on biodiversity net gain and building safety, to advising on financing, facilitating greener building practices and green leases and EV charging points, we advise on all aspects of the property lifecycle.

Our clean energy team pioneers the UK's energy transition, focusing on low-carbon and renewables. We offer expertise in clean technology projects and investments globally, advising on innovative business models, financial structures, and commercialisation opportunities. Our portfolio spans wind, solar PV, combined heat and power, energy storage, district heating and cooling, electric vehicles, geothermal, wave, and tidal projects. As leaders in the energy storage market, we bring sustainable solutions to the UK power market, driving towards a green economy. Additionally, we advise investment funds on forming renewable energy infrastructure investment trusts and support corporations in transitioning to Net Zero through high-integrity carbon credit projects.