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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 Strategy Manager
First Central
From 01/2023 to 10/2024Governance and Reporting Officer
First Central
From 02/2022 to 10/2022ESG Lead
First Central
From 03/2021 to 01/2023Company
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.
Parisa M
Risk & Compliance Governance Manager
Top Insider Advice
Whatever you’re good at, whether it be organisation or leadership or analytics, try your best to draw on those skills within your current role to really showcase what you do well. And not just in your role, look at other roles such as championing or volunteering to provide additional opportunities to really highlight what you are good at. This may then give you the chance to consider where you have improvements to make and think about how that can be achieved through shadowing, mentoring or further education / courses. There are so many opportunities at First Central to shine a light on our talents or improve our weaknesses. Take them!
Lauren C
Culture Lead
Top Insider Advice
I’m a natural introvert and I don’t think anyone in my personal life would describe me as outgoing or confident! But, I’ve found in my career so far that the occasions where I’ve been brave - whether that’s deciding to move away from HR (even though I studied a Masters in the topic!) or saying yes to presenting in front of a crowd of senior leaders - have been the times where I’ve grown and developed the most. I’m at a point in my career where I’m eager to grow and progress, so being brave is something I try to make a conscious effort to do. It can be scary to say yes to things you might usually shy away from but, by getting more practice and exposure to these things, over time they naturally begin to feel a bit easier. Even if things don’t always go to plan, it’s all part of the journey.
