Doing Good is Good for Business

Virgin Money is the first bank in Europe to offer sustainability-linked loans to UK businesses of all sizes. In this podcast, Richard Collins, CEO of CSR Accreditation and Scott McFarlane, Manager, Business Performance at Virgin Money will discuss:

·       What is a holistic approach to sustainability funding?

·       What is the banking sector doing?

·       A brief history of Sustainability Linked Loans

·       Commitment by Virgin Money and the Future Fit framework

·       Sustainability credentials and eligibility 

·       Collaborative responsibility – Case study

·       CSR-A Independent validation and recognition

Virgin Money has launched sustainability-linked loans (SLL) for UK businesses of all sizes. The SLL will reduce the cost of finance for those businesses whose core activities proactively help the economy transition to a more sustainable model.

CSR-A is the only organisation delivering a global Environmental and Social Responsibility Accreditation. The CSR Accreditation provides independent validation and recognition of an organisation’s environmental and socially responsible activities. It is a powerful way to communicate these positive actions to all stakeholders.

Your Consultation Group Community Interest Company (YCG Trust) is a Social Enterprise Company dedicated to changing the lives of prisoners.

In this podcast, Richard Collins of CSR-Accreditation talks to Mark Hodge, Group Chairman of YCG about the excellent work the company is doing to improve the prospects of prison leavers.

The YCG Citizen™ and Pathways™ Programmes are dedicated to re-integrating serving prisoners and prison leavers into society so they can lead fulfilling, offence free lives. The aim is to ensure every YCG Citizen™ leaves prison with a guaranteed offer of employment and accommodation on release.

To find out more: 

INNOVO is the only clean tech systems integrator that deploys advanced technologies and breakthrough innovations globally. Through partnerships, INNOVO’s NetZero network platform empowers businesses to thrive in a NetZero ecosystem.​

Richard Collins of CSR-A talks to Martin Kelly, chair and founder, Charles Irving-Swift, chief executive officer and Johnny Gray, chief investment officer of INNOVO. We discuss the changing sustainability landscape with regard to NetZero and Scope 3 requirements. We also dig deeper into INNOVO’s mission, ESG and Carbon Credits. What makes INNOVO different?

Listen now to find out more.

David Fort discusses Haines Watts’ motivations following their achievement of a Silver CSR Accreditation and talks about the application process experience with CSR-A.

The world is rapidly changing and we have become much more aware of both environmental and social issues, such as the impact of climate change, improving diversity and inclusion, a heightened awareness around mental health and wellbeing and the importance of building meaningful and authentic community engagement.

Haines Watts Manchester truly value relationships and show passion in their commitment to environmental and social responsibility.

Richard Collins Founder and CEO of CSR-A talks with David Fort - Director Haines Watts Manchester Ltd

The world is rapidly changing and we have become much more aware of both environmental and social issues, such as the impact of climate change and the rising cost of living. There is a greater focus on improving diversity and inclusion, heightened awareness around mental health and wellbeing and the importance of building meaningful and authentic community engagement into the workplace.

Stone Group’s goal is to create sustainable growth through innovation and investment in people, products, services, partnerships, and processes. An important component of this is their CSR accreditation and re-accreditation.

Stone Group talk about why they see CSR accreditation as essential to their ongoing CSR journey. We explore how the CSR-A Four Pillars framework has helped, the clear benefits to business and customers and what’s next for Stone Group.

The podcast is hosted by Richard Collins of CSR-A and features from Stone: Sheryl Moore, Head of Sustainability, Alison Hodgens, Director of HR, Brian Guilder, Head of ITAD Services (Private Sector) and Rob Vary, Head of Purchasing.

This podcast examines the need to evidence and validate social impact. In a world of increasing scrutiny, it is critical that you support positive social impacts with measurable outcomes that reinforce your claims.

ActionFunder is on a mission to unlock the power of business as a force for good in local communities. ActionFunder use their voice to advocate for local communities and for the two to come together to increase their impact.

In this podcast, we will discuss:

· A holistic approach to social responsibility

· Creating meaningful relationships

· Bridging the gap between the third sector and private sector

· Making impact goals achievable and measurable

· Communication, Validation, Accreditation

A holistic approach to sustainable business
Listen to our special panel of guests:

A discussion with Sam Cande, CEO of Responsible Futures Consultancy, providing holistic support for organisations looking to address their sustainable and social responsibility commitments.

Sam talks about her journey and delivering a consultation model that works for all organisations. Responsible Futures addresses the rapidly changing cultural attitude towards purpose and value.

Hosted by Richard Collins of CSR-Accreditation with Alice Troiano of Prosperah and Paul Bryce of Encore Recruitment, this podcast examines the 17 UN SDG’s and the links between them and business purpose.

How do you align your core purpose around the SDG’s? How will they help you on your social responsibility journey? Exploring purpose mapping and the roles of stakeholders and explaining how the SDG’s map against the CSR-A Four Pillars and how accreditation helps alignment and vice versa.

Hosted by CSR-Accreditation with What Impact, this podcast examines the need to evidence and validate social impact. In a world of increasing scrutiny it is critical that you can support positive social impacts with measurable outcomes that back up your claims.

What Impact focuses on impact, shared value-based matching and transparent information drives funding and other resources to the causes, operators and actions making the biggest difference. This will help us meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals and increase wellbeing across society.

The social value of donations and volunteering is evidenced with a globally valid social impact reporting tool aligned with the Social Value Act UK.

Hosted by CSR-Accreditation with guests, Richard Benwell and Janet Street from A Good Thing. We discuss how you can support your CSR goals by donating unwanted items to a Good Thing. A Good Thing is an online platform that connects companies with surplus items, like computers, furniture and merchandise with the charities that need them. We hear the experiences of some users of the platform and discuss ways that companies can re-use materials and avoid waste.