Irwin Mitchell Launches ESG advisory service

Irwin Mitchell is launching a new Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) advisory service for corporate and institutional clients leading with new products to audit cyber security and help clients with diversity and inclusion assessment, support and training.

The immediate focus sees the Sheffield based firm bring together its ESG advisory services for clients including 80 different service lines.

Alongside the advisory services will be a new web portal where clients will be able to access materials to help them in building their ESG strategies, there will be other new products launching in the next few months including:

The first in a suite of diversity and inclusion training modules which can be tailored and personalised to meet clients’ needs. The advisory services, thought leadership, training and audits will also contain specific advice from Irwin Mitchell’s sector experts in sport, real estate, manufacturing, financial services, consumer services and education.

Irwin Mitchell is already working with many organisations in the ESG space including property developer Artisan which is turning 11 acres of land into a sustainable community near the Salt Mills World Heritage site at Saltaire Shipley, West Yorkshire; and Landlink Estates which is developing a business park utilising renewable and alternative energy sources as part of the scheme.

Irwin Mitchell has also set out its commitment to environmental, social and governance principles in recent years with a responsible business strategy focused on sustainability and inclusion. Recently, the firm published an in depth annual Responsible Business Report, which highlighted progress made and aspirations for the future:

A survey of 200 businesses showed that 42 per cent had already implemented or revised their ESG strategy while 35 per cent were looking at options to form their strategy and 22 per cent are just beginning to start their ESG journey.

Businesses are mostly seeing ESG as a vital part of their sustainable growth strategies, opening doors to new customers and allowing them to retain clients and colleagues. It can also give them a competitive advantage in a crowded market.

Victoria Brackett, chief commercial officer at Irwin Mitchell, said: “As a legal and financial services firm, ESG runs through almost everything we do. Our ESG Advisory Service is about making sure that our clients get value from their ESG advice, as well as benefitting from the experience of our own ESG journey.

“Many people think 2023 could be a tough year but far from being an additional cost, getting ESG right can help businesses both save money and make money. There is good evidence to demonstrate that businesses that are purpose led and that build ESG into the heart of their business strategy deliver improved financial and commercial performance.”

Kate Fergusson, head of responsible business at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Similarly to Irwin Mitchell’s own approach to being a responsible business, our research shows that businesses generally believe all three pillars of ESG are considered to be of equal importance.

“It’s no surprise that three-quarters of the businesses our team spoke to want to see that their advisors have already implemented their own ESG policies and initiatives. It’s part of our culture t to share our own progress in this area with our clients and help them with their own ESG journey.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily