Fintech PR
Global Boards Show Progress in Sustainability, But AI and Geopolitical Risks Loom Large, Reports Heidrick & Struggles
New global survey by Heidrick & Struggles, BCG, and INSEAD, reveals growing confidence in sustainability governance, but boards and CEOs still lack confidence in each other’s leadership
LONDON, Nov. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Heidrick & Struggles (Nasdaq: HSII), a premier provider of global leadership advisory and on-demand talent solutions, has teamed with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and the INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre, to publish a report exploring how boards are responding to complex trends and disruptions they currently face. Boards and Society: How Boards Are Evolving to Meet Challenges from Sustainability to Geopolitical Volatility reveals boards have made meaningful advances to address sustainability topics, but are less confident when it comes to their understanding of other issues such as the rising importance of generative AI, intensifying trade and geopolitical disruptions. These four interconnected pillars are forcing directors and CEOs to navigate an increasingly unpredictable environment filled with conflicting and often politically charged demands.
Additionally, the report shows evidence of simmering discord among company leadership on how best to enhance competitiveness amid the challenges they face.
Key Findings from the Boardroom
- 77% of boards believe their company has a responsibility to address sustainability concerns
- 36% feel prepared to leverage the disruptive potential of AI
- 37% believe their company has a sufficient strategy around geopolitical risk
- 29% of directors do not have faith in their CEO to navigate uncertainty
- 26% of CEOs do not have faith in their board’s effectiveness
- Half of respondents are not confident their company is equipped to identify new threats and opportunities related to sustainability, generative AI and geopolitics
The report reveals that 77% of the global board members surveyed believe their company has a responsibility to address societal concerns, although more than half (54%) believe that business objectives should remain the primary focus. In contrast to this enthusiasm around sustainability, only 36% of directors feel prepared to leverage the disruptive potential of AI, while just 37% agree that their companies have sufficient strategies in place to manage geopolitical risks.
These findings highlight an urgent need for greater balance between traditional governance with forward-looking strategies and increased investment in board competency. Despite lower levels of confidence for the prevailing risks and emerging technologies of our time, it is encouraging to note that more than 60% of directors stated that their boards are “leaning in” on risk management, suggesting a desire to tackle these challenges head on, regardless of their complexity.
Lack of Confidence Amid Growing Complexity
In a concerning indication of division within the boardroom, the new report reveals that 29% of directors lack confidence in their CEO’s ability to navigate disruption and boost long-term value. Meanwhile, a comparable number of CEOs (26%) are equally skeptical of their board’s effectiveness, reflecting an increasing tension between top leadership teams grappling with a more complex and diverse range of issues than ever before.
The report also finds that roughly half of directors are not confident their company is equipped to identify new threats and opportunities related to sustainability, generative AI and geopolitics, nor are they able translate them into a competitive advantage. As global business landscapes continue to shift, the ability of boards to stay cohesive, align with leadership, and adapt to new challenges with innovative corporate strategy will be more critical than ever. Effective governance that embraces both foresight and resilience will be key in turning these disruptions into opportunities, allowing businesses not only to survive but to thrive in an increasingly volatile world.
Commenting on the findings, Jeremy Hanson, Partner with Heidrick & Struggles and Co-author of the report, commented: “While it is encouraging that boards are stepping up on sustainability, this year’s survey reveals tensions between directors and management regarding each other’s capacity to navigate disruption. With so much at stake—and an increasing complexity to unpack—alignment between board directors and management isn’t just a best practice; it’s essential for addressing both today’s challenges and those of the future. Importantly, alignment does not mean boards should shy away from constructive debate with management. In fact, fostering open, even difficult, conversations is crucial for boards to reach resilient, well-rounded decisions in today’s demanding environment.”
Sonia Tatar, Executive Director of INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre, said, “Boards today can benefit from moving from being reactive to proactive. Beyond understanding disruptions, they can focus on looking ahead—anticipating future shocks and potential risks and finding ways to capitalize on the emerging trends to leverage opportunities. By translating insights that inform decision-making into strategic actions, they will be better positioned to guide companies in becoming more resilient and navigating change effectively.”
Also commenting on the report, David Young, Managing Director and Senior Partner of BCG added: “Boards are facing new and increasingly complex challenges, amid geopolitical uncertainty, rapid advances in technology, and continued concerns over the impact of climate change. But boards have made notable progress in tackling sustainability–and now there is opportunity for them to learn from these efforts as they engage in deep conversations with executive leadership to confront this expanding agenda.”
Media Inquiries:
Heidrick & Struggles: [email protected]
BCG: [email protected]
INSEAD: [email protected]
About Heidrick & Struggles:
Heidrick & Struggles (Nasdaq: HSII) is a premier provider of global leadership advisory and on-demand talent solutions, serving the senior-level talent and consulting needs of the world’s top organizations. In our role as trusted leadership advisors, we partner with our clients to develop future-ready leaders and organizations, bringing together our services and offerings in executive search, diversity and inclusion, leadership assessment and development, organization and team acceleration, culture shaping and on-demand, independent talent solutions. Heidrick & Struggles pioneered the profession of executive search more than 70 years ago. Today, the firm provides integrated talent and human capital solutions to help our clients change the world, one leadership team at a time. For more, please visit www.heidrick.com
About BCG:
Boston Consulting Group partners with leaders in business and society to tackle their most important challenges and capture their greatest opportunities. BCG was the pioneer in business strategy when it was founded in 1963. Today, we work closely with clients to embrace a transformational approach aimed at benefiting all stakeholders—empowering organizations to grow, build sustainable competitive advantage, and drive positive societal impact.
Our diverse, global teams bring deep industry and functional expertise and a range of perspectives that question the status quo and spark change. BCG delivers solutions through leading-edge management consulting, technology and design, and corporate and digital ventures. We work in a uniquely collaborative model across the firm and throughout all levels of the client organization, fueled by the goal of helping our clients thrive and enabling them to make the world a better place.
About INSEAD:
As one of the world’s leading and largest graduate business schools, INSEAD brings together people, cultures, and ideas to develop responsible leaders who transform business and society. Its research, teaching and partnerships reflect this global perspective and cultural diversity.
With locations in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America, INSEAD’s business education and research spans four regions. 159 renowned Faculty members from 41 countries inspire more than 1,500 degree participants annually in the Master in Management, MBA, Global Executive MBA, Specialised Master’s degrees (Executive Master in Finance and Executive Master in Change) and PhD programmes. In addition, more than 18,000 executives participate in INSEAD Executive Education programmes each year.
INSEAD continues to conduct innovative research and innovate across all programmes. The organisation provides business leaders with the knowledge and awareness to operate anywhere. Its core values drive academic excellence and serve the global community as The Business School for the World. For more information, please visit www.insead.edu.
About INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre:
The INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre (ICGC) has been actively engaged in making a distinctive contribution to the knowledge and practice of corporate governance globally. Its vision is to be the leading center for research, innovation, and impact in corporate governance. Through its educational portfolio and advocacy, the ICGC seeks to build greater trust within the public and stakeholder communities, so that businesses are a powerful force for improvement, not only of economic markets but also for the global societal environment. For more, visit www.insead.edu/centres/corporate-governance.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/global-boards-show-progress-in-sustainability-but-ai-and-geopolitical-risks-loom-large-reports-heidrick–struggles-302309627.html
Fintech PR
H.I.G. Realty Announces Strategic Partnership with Queen Mary BioEnterprises Innovation Centre in London
LONDON, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — H.I.G. Capital (“H.I.G.”), a leading global alternative investment firm with $67 billion of capital under management, is pleased to announce that an affiliate has signed a strategic partnership (the “Partnership”) with Queen Mary BioEnterprises Innovation Centre (“QMB”), with an agreement to deliver 40,000 square feet of incubator space at its flagship innovation centre in Whitechapel, London.
H.I.G. and its development partner, Lateral, a UK-based real estate developer, will collaborate with Barts Life Sciences (BLS), Barts Health NHS Trust, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), and the U.K. Department of Health & Social Care on this project, marking a significant milestone for the Whitechapel Life Science Cluster. The additional space will support the goal of creating a world-class life sciences cluster in the heart of Whitechapel, accelerating the development of life-changing healthcare treatments and outcomes.
Additionally, the development of a state-of-the-art incubator space and its shared services will create a venture-building environment and ecosystem, critical in attracting startup companies and spinouts. QMB’s extensive experience operating incubator spaces will also help deliver long-term, high-quality jobs to the Whitechapel area, foster career pathways, and promote education in the life sciences and STEM sectors.
Jérôme Fouillé, Managing Director at H.I.G. Realty in Europe, commented, “We are thrilled to partner with QMB in developing this first-class incubator space at Cavell Street. Our collaboration marks a significant step in creating a vibrant life sciences cluster in Whitechapel and furthering the growth of H.I.G.’s life sciences real estate platform in the U.K. By providing high-quality facilities and support services, we are cultivating an environment where innovative startups can thrive and contribute to groundbreaking health outcomes.”
Ted Webster, Chairman of QMB, commented, “Our partnership with H.I.G. is an exciting opportunity to expand our proven model of supporting life science startups. The new space will enable us to nurture the next generation of innovative companies, providing them with the resources and conditions they need to succeed. We are committed to driving scientific advancement and delivering significant benefits to the local community and beyond.”
About Queen Mary BioEnterprises Innovation Centre
The existing QMB incubator opened in 2011 as London’s first completely new-built facility for both early and late-stage chemistry and biology start-ups, offering 39,000 square feet of commercial wet laboratory and office space. QMB’s long track record of supporting the growth of innovative companies and facilitating access to the world-class facilities at Queen Mary University of London’s School of Medicine and Dentistry has proven a huge success. This proven expertise ensures that the new incubator space at Cavell Street will provide a nurturing environment for emerging life science companies to innovate and grow. For more information, visit qmbioenterprises.com.
About H.I.G. Capital
H.I.G. is a leading global alternative investment firm with $67 billion of capital under management.* Based in Miami, and with offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco in the United States, as well as international affiliate offices in Hamburg, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Dubai, and Hong Kong, H.I.G. specializes in providing both debt and equity capital to mid-sized companies, utilizing a flexible and operationally focused/value-added approach:
- H.I.G.’s equity funds invest in management buyouts, recapitalizations, and corporate carve-outs of both profitable as well as underperforming manufacturing and service businesses.
- H.I.G.’s debt funds invest in senior, unitranche, and junior debt financing to companies across the size spectrum, both on a primary (direct origination) basis, as well as in the secondary markets. H.I.G. also manages a publicly traded BDC, WhiteHorse Finance.
- H.I.G.’s real estate funds invest in value-added properties, which can benefit from improved asset management practices.
- H.I.G. Infrastructure focuses on making value-add and core plus investments in the infrastructure sector.
Since its founding in 1993, H.I.G. has invested in and managed more than 400 companies worldwide. The Firm’s current portfolio includes more than 100 companies with combined sales in excess of $53 billion. For more information, please refer to the H.I.G. website at hig.com.
*Based on total capital raised by H.I.G. Capital and its affiliates. |
Contact:
Riccardo Dallolio
Managing Director
[email protected]
Jérôme Fouillé
Managing Director
[email protected]
H.I.G. Capital
10 Grosvenor Street
2nd Floor
London W1K 4QB
United Kingdom
P +44 (0) 207 318 5700
hig.com
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2524016/HIG_Europe_Logo.jpg
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hig-realty-announces-strategic-partnership-with-queen-mary-bioenterprises-innovation-centre-in-london-302337705.html
Fintech PR
Shanghai Electric Concludes Eight-Day Upskilling Program for Pakistan’s Thar Project Employees
Committed to fostering skilled professionals in modern energy and industry, the Company promotes sustainable industrial growth
KARACHI, Pakistan, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Twenty employees from Pakistan’s Thar Coalfield Block I Energy Integration Project recently completed an intensive eight-day training program in Shanghai and Beijing, China. The program, which is part of Shanghai Electric‘s (SEHK:2727, SSE:601727) talent upskilling initiative, provided the participants with hands-on learning opportunities and in-depth insights to upgrade their skillsets and knowledge, marking another step in Shanghai Electric’s broader efforts to nurture local talent and contribute to the sustainable development of Pakistan’s energy sector.
The trainees, including managerial and technical roles from the project, were immersed in a set of activities designed to equip them with the latest insights into energy and industrial development. Highlights of the program included seminars on Shanghai Electric’s corporate culture and advanced technologies, as well as visits to the Shanghai Boiler Works production site. The group also toured Shanghai Electric’s headquarters, where they explored the company’s vision of Create Our Future Together, strengthening their understanding of the company’s approach to innovation and collaboration.
“It was an enriching experience to closely observe the rich culture of China and learn more about Shanghai Electric’s operations. This program has inspired me to work harder toward achieving the company’s goals and my personal learning aspirations,” Zia ul Qama, Manager of Commercial Operations at the Thar Project, reflecting on the experience.
The Thar Coalfield Block 1 Energy Integration Project, operational since February 2023, plays a vital role in addressing Pakistan’s energy demands with an annual output capacity of 9 billion kilowatt-hours, powering nearly 4 million households. More than just an energy provider, the project reflects Shanghai Electric’s commitment to fostering sustainable growth and social progress.
By introducing targeted initiatives to enhance opportunities for women, Shanghai Electric has worked with the project to foster a supportive and equitable environment, contributing to meaningful progress in workplace inclusivity within the region. The company culminated in a new recognition, the Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Award in 2023, from the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan and the International Labour Organization.
Shanghai Electric’s endeavors on the sustainability front also earned it an accolade, Contributors to Shared Prosperity, at the 16th Annual CSR Summit held in August 2023, an event that marks the tenth anniversary of the launch of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Video – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2586732/video.mp4
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2346204/Shanghai_Electric_logo.jpg
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/shanghai-electric-concludes-eight-day-upskilling-program-for-pakistans-thar-project-employees-302338269.html
Fintech PR
TECHTRONIC INDUSTRIES JOINS THE UN GLOBAL COMPACT
DEMONSTRATES TTI’S COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS AND PRACTICES
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Global cordless power tool, outdoor power equipment and floorcare company Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (“TTI” or the “Company”) (stock code: HK:0669, ADR symbol: TTNDY) today announced that it has joined the United Nations Global Compact, reaffirming its dedication to sustainability and social responsibility. With over 25,000 signatories in over 160 countries, the UN Global Compact is the world’s largest voluntary corporate sustainability reporting initiative. By joining, TTI is committing to communicating its progress to stakeholders annually through our ESG Report and UN Global Compact’s website.
TTI’s CEO Steve Richman remarked: “As the industry pioneer in lithium-ion battery-powered, energy efficient power tools and outdoor power equipment, TTI’s commitment to sustainable products and business practices has long been a fundamental part of the way we do business. We began publishing ESG reports in 2015 and we aligned our goals and targets with the UN Sustainable Development Goals in 2018. Every year we make progress in areas including safety solutions, noise reduction, supply chain traceability, decarbonization, and governance. While we have demonstrated our commitment, by joining the UN Global Compact, we have officially aligned our sustainability strategy with the Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.”
As part of TTI’s ongoing sustainability efforts, our objective is to implement initiatives that deepen our support of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace culture. We are dedicated to advancing our sustainability journey, setting measurable goals, and continuously monitoring our progress.
Learn more about TTI’s efforts by reading our latest ESG publications here. Our 2024 ESG report will be published in March 2025.
About TTI
Techtronic Industries Company Limited (“TTI” or the “Company”), founded in 1985 by German entrepreneur Horst Julius Pudwill, is a world leader in cordless technology. As a pioneer in Power Tools, Outdoor Power Equipment, Floorcare and Cleaning Products, TTI serves professional, industrial, Do It Yourself (DIY), and consumer markets worldwide. With more than 50,000 employees globally, the company’s relentless focus on innovation and strategic growth has established its leading position in the industries it serves.
MILWAUKEE is at the forefront of TTI’s professional tool portfolio. With global research and development headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin, the historic MILWAUKEE brand is renowned for driving innovation, safety, and jobsite productivity worldwide. The RYOBI brand, headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, remains the top choice for DIYers and continues to set the standard in DIY tool innovation. TTI’s diverse brand portfolio also includes trusted brands like AEG, EMPIRE, HOMELITE, and leading floorcare names HOOVER, ORECK, VAX, and DIRT DEVIL (based in Charlotte, North Carolina).
TTI’s international recognition and renowned brand portfolio are supported by a strong ownership structure that underscores the company’s global reach and stability. The Pudwill family remains the company’s largest shareholder, with the remaining ownership held largely by institutional investors at North American and European-owned firms. TTI is publicly traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and is a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Index, operating globally with a strong commitment to environmental, social, and corporate governance standards. For more information, visit www.ttigroup.com.
All trademarks listed other than AEG and RYOBI are owned by the Company. AEG is a registered trademark of AB Electrolux (publ.) and is used under license. RYOBI is a registered trademark of Ryobi Limited and is used under license.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/techtronic-industries-joins-the-un-global-compact-302338248.html
-
Fintech7 days ago
Fintech Pulse: Your Daily Industry Brief (Synapse, Shenzhen Institute, Visa, AutomatIQ, MeridianLink)
-
Fintech6 days ago
Fintech Pulse: Your Daily Industry Brief (Revolut, Bestow, Advyzon, Tyme Group, Nubank)
-
Fintech4 days ago
Fintech Pulse: Your Daily Industry Brief (Chime, ZBD, MiCA)
-
Fintech6 days ago
Asian Financial Forum returns as region’s first major international financial assembly in 2025
-
Fintech7 days ago
NASDAQ-Listed LYTUS Appoints Visionary Leader Sai Guna Ranjan Puranam as COO (Lytus Healthcare) and Group CTO (Lytus Technologies) to Revolutionize Healthcare and Technology
-
Fintech PR3 days ago
According to Tickmill survey, 3 in 10 Britons in economic difficulty: Purchasing power down 41% since 2004
-
Fintech PR3 days ago
President Emmerson Mnangagwa met this week with Zambia’s former Vice President and Special Envoy Enoch Kavindele to discuss SADC’s candidate for the AfDB
-
Fintech4 days ago
Airtm Enhances Its Board of Directors with Two Strategic Appointments