Environmental, social, governance (ESG) is at the forefront of investors’ minds, with businesses now being asked to do more than just turn a profit. With climate change and the future of the planet at stake, businesses must play a role in making the world a better place.

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Jana Jevcakova, Managing Director, Head of ESG International, Morrow Sodali notes that some companies now find that they are at a point of “existential crisis,” as they try to keep up with demands for sustainability. “There is definitely that challenge of understanding what ESG means, while meeting the dynamic world of legal requirements,” she says. That’s where Morrow Sodali, a leading provider of strategic advice and shareholder services, can be of use, by giving businesses the chance to turn a crisis into an opportunity.

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While meeting ESG investor and regulatory demands can be a struggle, there is also potential to get ahead of the competition. “There are thousands of areas that companies could be addressing, related to ESG. If you are not taking advantage of these opportunities, you're missing out,” says Jevcakova.  

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As a global tech-enabled advisory firm, Morrow Sodali provides corporate Boards and executives with strategic advice and services to tackle and deal with major issues. Adam Frederick, Global President, Morrow Sodali, says that providing solutions to companies that deal with issues around stakeholder engagement is the company’s long-held mission. “We've been in business for 50 years and have accumulated a vast treasure trove of data, a database and an analytics platform that we use and leverage to present our clients.”

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Morrow Sodali is also ahead of the game with its use of technology. “The promise of technology is that it backs up the aims of the people involved in an enterprise,” says Dexter John, CEO Canada, Morrow Sodali. “One of our primary advantages is our proprietary database and the platform that we use. We're the only firm that has a presence on five continents, able to compile information over a number of years of transactions.”

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“Technology is crucial in building relationships with stakeholders, creating a long-term approach while rejecting short termism that shores up problems further down the line,” says Susan Choe, Managing Director, Corporate Governance, Morrow Sodali. “If a company takes the route of trying to hit short-term targets, they may end up having to reset themselves. We help clients to navigate that, so investors fully understand the company’s position and the progress that they are making.”

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“Engagement is crucial when stakeholders have bought into a business strategy,” adds Ransom A. Langford, Partner at TPG Growth, a Morrow Sodali investor. “What Morrow Sodali does very well is help companies avoid the high cost of failure with improper or inadequate shareholder communication.” It is a leader in the changing ecosystem of ESG reporting and dedicated to developing lasting client relationships, using a business model that is sustainable and unmatched in the sector. “When we think about excellence, we like to think of it as a journey. It's not a destination,” Langford adds.