Paul Polman (CEO, Unilever), Feike Sijbesma (CEO, DSM), Camiel Eurlings (CEO, KLM), Bernard Wientjes (President of the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers), Trude Maas (non-executive director) and Jan Peter Balkenende (Partner, EY) shared their experiences with an audience of leaders from the private and public sector. For this special occasion, Minister Henk Kamp (Economic Affairs) submitted a video message. Various multi-stakeholder organisations and the academic world were also well-represented.

Integrating and upscaling
Jan Peter Balkenende, the DSGC’s Chair and partner at EY: “If sustainable and responsible entrepreneurship – corporate responsibility – is not properly integrated into the corporate governance structure, there is no continuity. A dedicated CEO can, as an individual, explore the corporate responsibilities and opportunities related to themes such as climate change, resource scarcity, health or human rights. But corporate responsibility only becomes serious business once it is truly integrated into the way in which companies are governed on a daily basis, and when it receives broad internal support. Which concrete roles do non-executive directors, executive board members and employees play in this respect. This publication answers precisely that question.” The publication presents a model identifying eight dimensions of corporate governance – each of which is illustrated with concrete, practical examples. “If we want companies to become part of the solution to today’s most pressing social and environmental challenges at a larger scale, it is crucial that knowledge is shared. Through this publication we share the experiences of DSGC companies with the (international) business community. Facilitating this coalition naturally fits EY’s vision: ‘Building a better working world.’ On a day-to-day basis, we work with clients on this integration through our extensive, interdisciplinary and global knowledge in this area”, says Balkenende.

Practical
The event was more than a source of inspiration; practical tips were also exchanged. For example: how can non-executive directors use their influence to integrate sustainable and responsible entrepreneurship into the core business of the organisations they supervise? How does integrated reporting work in practice? How can stakeholders be involved in taking policy decision? What incentives can be deployed to ensure a company culture with a long-term focus? How can the ‘tone at the top’ of senior management and ‘bottom up’ creativity in the workplace be mutually reinforcing? These questions are just a few of the range of subjects the publication touches upon. The publication can be downloaded free of charge via www.ey.nl/DSGCpublication.

Dutch Sustainable Growth Coalition The coalition brings together eight Dutch multinational companies: Unilever, DSM, AkzoNobel, FrieslandCampina, Philips, Shell, KLM and HEINEKEN. It is their shared belief that financial and economic growth is directly related to social and environmental return. The Dutch Sustainable Growth Coalition, chaired by Jan Peter Balkenende, is facilitated by EY and supported by the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers.