Editorial
Beer brewers are not generally considered environment-friendly, yet SABMiller, the world’s second-largest brewer, has shattered this myth. Recognizing the growing water scarcity, SABMiller invested in reducing water usage per hectoliter of beer while promoting sustainable water management in its communities. This initiative addresses environmental issues and supports local populations.
This is a prime example of social impact investing. In today’s complex world, social impact investing has become a beacon of hope, highlighting the link between environmental and social issues. A warming planet exacerbates global inequities, while an inequitable energy transition hampers ambitious climate actions.
Financial institutions are uniquely positioned to drive social impact. As fiduciary stewards and capital allocators, banks and financial organizations influence societal well-being by enabling wealth management and economic growth. By integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria, they can champion sustainable growth through social impact measurement and stakeholder engagement.
In this edition of “This Week in Consulting,” we explore the multifaceted world of social impact investing. We examine investor profiles, government roles in fostering the social finance market, and more. Join us in this critical discourse and share your insights. Let’s start the conversation on driving positive change in the world.
Laurent THOMAS
Chairman Consulting Quest
This week’s must read
In this edition of This Week in Consulting, we explore the multifaceted world of social impact investing –investor profiles, government roles in fostering the social finance market, and more.
This article by BCG argues that banks can address societal challenges like inequality and climate change while improving financial performance by integrating social considerations into their core strategies, measuring impact, and strategically influencing clients, suppliers, and the broader value chain.
This week’s media
In this video by Smith School of Business, Professor Wenjue Knutsen unpacks social impact investing, shares who social impact investors are, and explores the government’s role in developing the social finance market. Watch the full video for insights!
Thought Leadership
This article by EY emphasizes the critical role of the social (S) component in ESG, highlighting its impact on corporate culture, stakeholder relationships, and competitive advantage through initiatives like diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies.
KPMG’s article highlights the shift towards ESG-driven success, advocating for sustainable growth through social impact measurement and stakeholder engagement. It emphasizes using tools like Theory of Change and SROI for effective outcomes and storytelling.
This article by Anthesis Group discusses the informal economy, its unregulated nature, key drivers, and social impacts. It highlights the need for formalization to reduce poverty and improve working conditions, aligned with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Deloitte highlights SABMiller’s efforts to combat water scarcity by reducing water usage per beer unit and funding conservation projects like protecting Colombia’s Cauca River. This reflects a trend where companies integrate social impact into core business strategies beyond PR purposes.
This week’s consulting news selection
Capgemini has announced the acquisition of Lösch & Partner to augment its capabilities in application lifecycle management and systems engineering, notably for German automotive manufacturers.|
Selma Delic, an ‘invaluable’ team member who joined PKF Smith Cooper as a graduate, has been promoted to Partner in the latest round of Promotions.|
BDO Canada has announced the addition of Heidi Scorgie, CPA, CA, as Partner in the Assurance practice. She joins with more than 25 years of professional experience.|
Bain & Company has announced it has appointed Tamar Dane Dor-Ner as its Americas Regional Managing Partner. In this role, Tamar will lead the strategy, talent, and operations for Bain’s 22 offices across North and South America.|
Laurent is the Chairman and Co-founder of Consulting Quest. Focused on greater value creation, and being thoroughly familiar with Consulting, Laurent has sourced and sold millions of dollars worth of Consulting over the course of his career. Prior to joining Consulting Quest, Laurent was Executive Vice President Oil and Gas at Solvay and Senior Partner Transformation at Oliver Wyman.
