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Top Insider Advice
Volunteering in Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Climate / Social Rights Groups can be an excellent way to get exposure to ESG and set yourself up for future career opportunities. Not only does it give you a chance to learn more about the issues at hand and the various approaches being taken to tackle them, but it also allows you to develop key skills such as leadership, project management, and communication - all of which are highly valued in the ESG space. By getting involved in ERGs and social groups, you can gain a deeper understanding of the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how it intersects with ESG. You can also learn about the various ways in which companies are approaching sustainability, social responsibility, and governance, and gain valuable insights into how these approaches impact business performance and reputation. But perhaps most importantly, volunteering in ERGs and social groups is a great way to build connections and expand your network in the ESG space. By working alongside like-minded individuals who are passionate about creating a better world, you can forge relationships that may lead to future career opportunities or collaborations.
Career path
ESG Lead
First Central
From 03/2021 to 01/2023Governance and Reporting Officer
First Central
From 02/2022 to 10/2022Senior Personal Assistant to the Executive Leadership Team
First Central
From 11/2019 to 02/2022Company
What do you like about your job and the company?
Enivronmental Social Governance (ESG) is about is all about creating a better world for everyone. By integrating ESG considerations into business practices, we can promote ethical decision-making, reduce environmental impact, foster diversity and inclusion, and ultimately, create a more sustainable and equitable future. When companies prioritise ESG, they're not only benefiting their stakeholders, but also society as a whole. By reducing their carbon footprint and embracing sustainable practices, they're helping to mitigate the impact of climate change and protect our planet for generations to come. By fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, they're promoting equality and providing opportunities for everyone to succeed, regardless of their background. And by prioritising ethical decision-making and transparent governance, they're building trust with their stakeholders and contributing to a more stable and prosperous economy. At the end of the day, ESG isn't just about checking boxes or meeting regulatory requirements - it's about creating positive change in the world. Whether you're an investor, a business leader, or simply someone who cares about the future of our planet, ESG is an essential part of building a better world for everyone.
Greatest achievements
In our most recent colleague engagement survey, we scored in the top 5% of the Financial Sector for Inclusiveness. Despite this not being my personal achievement (it was very much down to our outstanding HR and Culture Teams) I am proud to be a part of the bigger picture and working for an organization that prioritises people.
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Adam W
Product Manager
Top Insider Advice
It sounds obvious, but sometimes it can be easy to perform the actions required for your role in a way that doesn’t best amplify your strengths. Be acutely aware of your own strengths and play to them, putting together a development plan for areas of improvement. I’d recommend developing your strengths too. Just because you’re naturally good at something doesn’t mean you should rest on your laurels. Have a mindset of wanting to move from the top 10% to top 1%. Always welcome feedback too whether it’s positive or constructive. Don’t take constructive feedback negatively, to be imperfect is to be human. We all have areas we can improve on.
Alana R
Top Insider Advice
Throughout my career I’ve been on a learning journey regarding how I communicate. When I first started out, I was very shy and found it difficult to communicate confidently. I’d be nervous sending an email to someone I’d never met and spend hours over-analysing the content to make sure it was ‘perfect’ before sending it. As I sent more and more emails, met more people, and put myself out there for presentations, I grew in confidence but I still had a lot to learn. I’d often go into the specifics of everything and give people information overload because I was worried about missing something important. I got a lot of feedback around this and was regularly asked to “keep it high-level”. I really had to work at this, and I needed to get help from peers, mentors, managers and external research to understand what this meant, when it mattered and how to be effective at a higher level of detail. With years of practice, I am now much better at communicating and that’s helped me progress into a leadership position. This is just one example of me learning a skill which I thought was impossible. If I can do it, so can you!
Maria S
L&D Director
Top Insider Advice
Development never stops so own it; be the driver of your own skills development. Take time to build relationships and networks. Be brave to use your voice. No question is a stupid question so speak up if you need to ask or want to understand. Stay curious: everyone is human regardless of their level. People are always on hand to help so be confident to ask for it! Culture is key and great teams make great things happen!
