In this episode of Leadership Conversations by TSB, Professor Alex Edmans discusses the concept of 'rational sustainability' - an evidence-based approach to sustainability that focuses on long-term value creation rather than politics or ideology. He explains how boards should evaluate sustainability issues rationally, focusing on outcomes over labels, questioning assumptions, and recognising diminishing returns and trade-offs. Alex provides examples of how sustainability initiatives driven by a desire to serve society can also lead to long-term profits. He argues that rational sustainability a ..read more

In this episode of Leadership Conversations by TSB, we speak with Alison Taylor, Clinical Associate Professor at NYU Stern School of Business and Executive Director at Ethical Systems. She discusses the current state of sustainable business, particularly in the U.S., exploring the polarised perspectives and the impact of political and social dynamics on corporate ethics. Alison challenges common myths and misconceptions about business sustainability and ethics. She emphasises the need for a strategic, limited, and authentic approach to sustainability, criticising both overly ambitious corporat ..read more

In this episode we speak with Frank White, a space philosopher. Frank has coined the term ‘The Overview effect’ which describes the awe-inspiring experience of viewing the Earth from space. He has found that with great consistency, this experience profoundly affects space travellers’ perceptions of themselves, our world, and our future. He talks to us about the magnitude of overview effect experiences, sustainable space migration, and why all his narratives aim to create a sustainable future on earth. Frank also suggests we need an 18th UN Sustainability Development Goal: Space ..read more

In the first live session of our podcast that was held in August 2023 we discuss the secrets to 'Building a Sustainability Culture'. We explore the highlights and insights from a new report with Paul Washington from The Conference Board' and Srinand Yalamanchili from Baker Tilly. We discuss how boards, management, and the entire organisation play crucial roles in shaping this culture, as well as the role of purpose and incentives. The report 'Building a Sustainability Culture' can be downloaded here: https://www.conference-board.org/press/press-release-building-a-sustainability-culture ..read more

In this episode we speak to Beth Sasfai, Partner at the renowned law firm Cooley. We talk about the challenge of sustainability reporting requirements and how most companies have lost the idea of big ambitious goals. We also discuss the difference in sustainability governance and ESG strategy between public and private businesses, and common blind posts in start-ups that create risk. Beth talks about her personal experiences counselling for clients on ESG; which stakeholders she considers to be the most influential right now; and she shares her recommendations for sustainability oversight on b ..read more

Join us on this episode of Leadership Conversations as we speak with Rachel Youngman, the deputy CEO at the Institute of Physics. Rachel shares her unconventional career journey, from having worked at the international bar association to leading a science organisation, and how she has dedicated her career to achieving more sustainable outcomes and enabling companies to meet their ESG targets. We delve into Rachel's work in promoting diversity and inclusion in the world of science, including her focus on enabling non-dominant groups and girls to enter the field. Rachel inspires us to take caree ..read more

In our latest episode we speak with Nazneen Rahman, scientist, physician, entrepreneur, and non-executive director (NED). Nazneen discusses how she combines her life science and sustainability expertise. She explains her current initiative to significantly reduce waste arising from medicine production as CEO of YewMaker. Then she shares her thoughts on sustainable governance and organisational implementation of ESG strategies from her experience as a NED on the board of AstraZeneca, where she chairs the science and sustainability committee. Nazneen also is a singer/songwriter and we play her s ..read more

In this episode we speak with Kayla Winarsky McKenzie of the Business for Social Responsbility (BSR). She is a recognised human rights expert and gives us some insights into her career journey and what issues made her specialise in this field. Kayla gives us an overview of the role of business in human rights due diligence and governance, and reveals the problems at hand, focus areas, guiding standards and steps to take to mitigate human rights violations. She also shares some materials from the WEF on boards and human rights (that BSR contributed to): Launch blog: https://www.weforum.org/agen ..read more

In our anniversary episode, we speak to a world leader of women empowerment, diversity, leadership, and inclusion- Laura Liswood is the Secretary General of the Council for Women World Leaders and a former Senior Advisor of Goldman Sachs. Laura is a veteran of the gender equality movement and a confidant to the worlds powerful. Her style of explaining systemic concepts is second to none. Wonder what an elephant and a mouse have to do with leadership ..read more

In this episode we speak with Helle Bank Jørgensen about her 30-year journey in sustainable business, her current work as CEO of Competent Boards, and what personally drives her. We also discuss her new book ‘Stewards of the Future’ and current boardroom issues. At the end Helle shares a story about a particular leader that had a big impact on her, as well as her enduring connection to the legacy of that person ..read more