Working together to tackle the world’s greatest challenges

Our clients are the reason we come to work – they are at the centre of all that we do. We are constantly listening to them, seeking to understand and anticipate their needs and striving to provide first class client service and legal advice.

Many of our clients have always had a strong sense of purpose and a commitment to doing business and managing wealth responsibly. As we have listened to our clients in recent times however, we have heard loud and clear that operating sustainably, with a focus on long term value creation and positive social and environmental impact, is no longer simply an ethical choice. For many of our clients it is now an imperative.

Clients that own or manage businesses of all types and sizes are now under more scrutiny than ever before, from regulators, their investors and customers, to prioritise - and to show that they prioritise - positive social and environmental impact. Many are taking action to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard the natural environment, enhance diversity and invest in their people and grow their businesses in a way that creates shared value for local communities and our society. Many are true innovators, at the forefront of developing products, services and ways of working designed to tackle some of the world’s greatest challenges.

But while sustainability and positive impact have shot up the corporate agenda, they are not just issues of concern to businesses. As we listen to and work with clients of all types – investors and entrepreneurs, trustees, individuals, families, charities and social enterprises, regulators and public bodies – we see a growing concern for people and planet. We are working hard to help these clients navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of ESG issues, to think long term, to look beyond compliance with rules to purpose and values and to make progress toward their sustainability objectives.

I am delighted to share with you some examples of the innovative work our clients are doing with sustainability and positive social and environmental impact at its heart.