Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility
As a South West firm, we are committed to supporting and protecting our region. Local people are integral to our achievements, and it is vital that we support their well-being. Local businesses have also helped us to succeed, and we want to ensure that other organisations and communities can continue to thrive. We also need to limit our impact on the natural world to help protect its wellbeing and ensure it continues to benefit local communities.
To contribute positively to our wider stakeholders, communities and the environment, we have a dedicated sustainability community that actively considers our impact.
Our vision of contributing to success does not stop at our clients but incorporates our wider stakeholders and communities.
We have a passionate sustainability committee who are active in considering our impact. We use the United Nation’s 17 sustainable development goals as a framework as well as our values of:
- Creativity, in planning for a sustainable future,
- Excellence, in generating creative solutions to our sustainability challenges,
- Trust, in being open and transparent in our sustainability reporting and
- Service, in working with stakeholders in connection with the sustainable development goals
We are actively working on 6 of the global goals. A summary of our progress is below:
Good health and wellbeing
- Employee support scheme
- Staff forum
- Whole firm well-being initiatives
- Organisation of events to promote health – in office health checks
- Flexible working
- Staff surveys
- Listening to music in the workplace
- Dressing for your day
- Mentoring scheme
- Personal Development Discussions and staff development opportunities
- Corporate gym discounts at local gyms
Targets:
- Lunchtime walking / litter picking groups.
- Improved employee benefits programme
- Volunteering day per employee
Quality education
- Professional qualification training
- CPD programme
- Professional Apprenticeships
- Opportunities for additional training
- Partner development programme
Targets:
- Enhance soft skills provision
- Increase apprenticeships outside of professional services
- Support clients on their sustainability journey
Gender equality
- Members of 30% club
- 60% female management board
- 38% female partners (47% from 2021)
- Member of the 5% club
Targets:
- Continue monitoring existing policies and procedures
- Continue to make opportunities available to all
Reduce inequalities
- Gender pay gap report
- Volunteering days to support communities in need
- Charity committee
Targets:
- Carry out equal opportunities, equality and diversity training
- Consider the wording used in the business (e.g. yearly closure not a Christmas break)
Climate action
- Sustainability group
- AG 30 days to more sustainable ways
- Terracycle scheme
- Switch to green energy suppliers at contract renewal
- Encouraging the use of Zoom & Teams
- Encouraging paperless working
- Cycle to work scheme
Targets:
- Set net-zero target
- Monitor carbon footprint
- Monitor travel
- Commence cycle or walk to work initiative
- Install electric car charging points
- Monitor use of resources
Partnership for the goals
- Working with ICAEW SW on sustainability initiatives such as 30-day challenge
Targets:
- Work with / influence other organisations
- Support local community projects for example Somerset Wood & Rewilding project
Goals for the future
- Decent work and economic growth
- Responsible consumption and production
Charities and Corporate Social Responsibility
Charities have always paid an incredibly important part in the infrastructure of the country and never have their needs and offering been more highlighted than over the course of the pandemic.
As a regional firm, we have a strong sense of community and feel it important to contribute to our local charitable and community environment.
Albert Goodman promotes a charity of the year, selected annually by staff. Staff are encouraged to carry out fundraising for the annual charity, lead by a charity fundraising team with a representative from each office or department taking part. We deliver engagement sessions with the charity for staff to understand the impact of the funds raised. The Albert Goodman partners match fund amounts raised by staff to really maximise our impact.
In addition, staff are provided with the opportunity to carry out one days paid volunteering time a year, for a charity or project of their choice. If staff want to engage with this programme but don’t have a project in mind, we have other opportunities available as part of group activities for local projects to ensure that everyone that wants to make a difference has the ability to do so.
