Team size: approx. 130 in the UK and internationally

How can general counsels foster a corporate culture that supports ESG principles and compliance across all levels of the organisation?

Supported by our groupwide specialist ESG legal team, we provide support in various areas that align with ABF’s core values. Firstly, leadership and vision: playing a pivotal role by advocating for a clear vision that integrates ESG principles into the company’s strategic goals. The ABF legal function helps to ensure that this vision covers sustainability, ethical governance, and social responsibility, positioning these values at the forefront of ABF’s strategy. Secondly, education and training: collaborating with other group functions, as well as ABF’s individual businesses, to develop training programmes that highlight the importance of ESG commitments and legal compliance. By helping our businesses to develop the right tools to educate their employees on ethical standards, environmental regulations and related topics, the ABF legal function helps to ensure that these principles are understood and embraced by all. Thirdly, policy development: helping to lead the development of robust policies and procedures that embed ESG principles and provide a governance framework through which ABF’s businesses drive ESG compliance across their own organisations. Additionally, stakeholder engagement: facilitating dialogue with key stakeholders, both internal and external to the group, to promote ESG awareness and provide insights into regulatory requirements, fostering a collaborative approach to ESG. Finally, accountability and reporting: designing and implementing systems for monitoring and reporting ESG performance that align with legal standards and regulations. By promoting transparency and accountability, and identifying areas for improvement, the ABF legal function helps to instill a culture of continuous growth.

What measures has your company taken to incorporate sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how can general counsel contribute to driving such initiatives within the organisation?

By championing various strategies, we have worked hard to embed an organisational culture that incorporates sustainability practices, reflecting ABF’s commitment to ethical corporate governance and promoting sustainable development. These strategies include risk management: identifying potential legal risks associated with sustainability initiatives and proactively developing strategies to mitigate them. This enables ABF’s efforts to be both impactful and aligned with applicable laws and regulations. Regulatory compliance is also key – keeping abreast of evolving regulations and standards, informing the group of new legal requirements, and ensuring adaptive compliance strategies. The ABF legal function helps the group to stay ahead of legal developments and drives regulatory compliance. Finally, promoting ethical corporate governance through the integration of sustainability principles within the company’s governance framework. The legal function works to enable sustainability considerations to be reflected in strategic decisions and corporate policies, reinforcing a culture of integrity and accountability.