Responsible Business: Scotland - August 2024

Welcome to the second edition of our LinkedIn newsletter! Since our last issue, we have continued to embrace (or should that be "tolerate"?) our rather testing Scottish summer weather, and the school holidays in Scotland have come to an abrupt end. Where has the summer gone?

During this time, BITC’s Patron - His Majesty the King - was in Edinburgh for Holyrood Week in July, as well as the city's 900th anniversary celebration event. His Majesty has been our founding Patron for over 40 years, and it was recently announced that he will continue in this vital role. Click here for BITC’s full statement on this news.?

The Scottish Government's plans for Just Transition are about achieving a fairer, greener future by moving to a net-zero economy in a way that ensures fairness, addresses inequality, and involves those affected in the process.? Our Director Louisa Macdonell was asked to join the Just Transition Commission for the Scottish Government. The key roles of the Just Transition Commission will be to support the production and monitoring of such plans, providing expert advice on their development.?

Louisa’s latest blog highlights more about the progress of the Commission and the importance of collaboration to deliver change.

There are many ways in which you can build a fairer and greener Scotland and maximise the social impact of your organisation. To find out more on how you can join our community please contact us here: [email protected]

Let's collaborate and make a difference together.?

The Impact of Responsible Business: Real Stories??

?? This edition we shine a spotlight on our member – Whyte & Mackay

Scottish distillers, Whyte & Mackay, known for iconic brands like The Dalmore, Fettercairn, Jura, Tamnavulin, Whyte & Mackay, The Woodsman and more, are setting a new standard in the spirits industry with their robust commitment to sustainability. ? ?

Since the launch of their Green Print strategy in 2021, the company has a clear roadmap towards a carbon-neutral future, and demonstrates how traditional industries can embrace modern sustainability practices.

It is a great time to raise a glass of whisky to the sustainable future of Whyte & Mackay.?

Click here to see a snapshot of the company initiatives?

?Top Responsible Business resources for your organisation:?

Getting Started with Skills-Based Volunteering Toolkit - Business in the Community (bitc.org.uk). This toolkit, aims to facilitate better understanding and engagement between business volunteers and charities, encouraging responsible businesses to make a lasting positive impact on both charities and the communities they serve through skills-based volunteering.?

We have launched our latest report on “Prioritise People: The Next Step”, developed with research from the McKinsey Health Institute (MHI). This practical guide offers science-based measures and interventions that organisations, from large corporations to start-ups, can use to measure and enhance health and wellbeing initiatives.??

Our member 德勤 has launched its latest report in the ‘Mental health and employers: the case for investment’ which considers both the consequences and costs for employers of poor mental health among their staff. In this edition, they have taken a deep dive into how the mental health of children and young people affects that of their working parents, and its implications for their work and performance. Download the full report here.?

?? News & Views?

Co-op becomes first retailer to publish socioeconomic pay gap report

BITC Member, Co-op, published the report in July and it shows that the company has a mean pay gap of 5.2% between colleagues from a lower and higher socioeconomic background. ?

Co-op has committed to taking bold action by delivering more mentoring programmes, financial wellbeing support and an intersectionality development programme to help address barriers affecting multiple characteristics, such as socioeconomic background and gender. Find out more and view the report here - Social Mobility Plan.

CMS launches new ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) specialist team in Scotland https://www.scottishfinancialnews.com/articles/cms-launches-new-esg-specialist-team-in-scotland?

The Travel Corporation (TTC) and national tourism organisation VisitScotland have entered a partnership to accelerate decarbonisation of tourism in Scotland by delivering touring itineraries focusing on positive impacts for the environment and local communities. https://www.ttgmedia.com/fairer-travel/ttc-and-visitscotland-team-up-to-promote-responsible-tourism-as-new-normal-45405?

?? Can you help/get involved:? ?

Are you a business based in Glasgow who would like to collaborate to restore pride, energy, and hope to some of Glasgow most deprived communities? Then we need to hear from you.???

BITC Scotland recently launched its Place programme in Scotland starting with Glasgow, building on BITC’s track record across the UK of bringing businesses together to work in places and make a real difference to the communities where they are based.? Please get in touch if you can help: [email protected]?

Living Wage Scotland?Awards 2024

We are proud to be a member of the Living Wage Scotland Leadership Board.?

Living Wage Scotland aims to showcase inspiring organisations that are championing fair pay and transforming lives across Scotland.?

Do you know a business that is leading the way? The Living Wage Scotland Awards 2024 are now open. These awards celebrate employers and individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the Living Wage movement. Finalists will be revealed on the 7 November at an Awards Ceremony in Glasgow.?

Find out more: https://scottishlivingwage.org/lws-awards/?

Recent Events?

?? Dates for your diary:?

21 August, 5-7pm, PwC, Edinburgh, Summer Drinks & Networking??

Join members of our BITC Scotland Leadership Board, Place Steering Group, Social Mobility Working Group, as well as other leaders from our network to celebrate, connect and create more opportunities to collaborate.??

BITC members only. Free event.?Register here.

25 September 2024 Ethical Finance Global 2024, RBS Conference Centre, Edinburgh?

The global finance sector is grappling with a myriad of issues shaped by economic conditions, geopolitical events, evolving regulatory landscapes, and navigating elections in major economies.?Within this context, Ethical Finance Global 2024,?will explore the extent to which these market forces will contrive to catalyse progress or justify procrastination in the sustainable finance sector. BITC Scotland stakeholders are invited to attend and can avail a 50% discount on summit tickets using the promo code BITC50.?

9 October, DWF LLP, Glasgow, Wellbeing Leadership Breakfast Roundtable

As part of this roundtable, we will explore the key findings of our "Prioritise People: The Next Step report" developed in collaboration with the McKinsey Health Institute. Additionally, we'll present the inaugural results of our Work well Self-Assessment Tool, designed to help you measure and improve your organisation's wellbeing initiatives.??

BITC Member only event. Register here

5 November, Queen Elizabeth House, Edinburgh, Championing Responsible Business in Scotland?

All our members do incredible activity within their organisations to improve social and environmental impact. This event will connect senior leaders from our membership in Scotland to discuss how we can create more impact together as a community.? Just confirmed Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes MSP will be one of our speakers, others to be announced soon.??

BITC Member only event, Register here?

12 November, Responsible Business Network Aberdeen, venue tbc – Place Launch?

Further details will be announced shortly, if you would like to register an interest please email [email protected]

Open to both non-members and BITC members. Free event.?

??We Are Recruiting

Are you passionate about responsible business? Do you excel in stakeholder and customer engagement? We have two exciting and unique opportunities to join Business in the Community's membership team: Relationship Manager and Member Support Officer.

These roles offer the flexibility to be based anywhere in the UK, and we’re particularly keen to encourage applications from Scotland.

Please share these opportunities with your networks, and if you're interested in applying, click the links below for further details:

Relationship Manager | Business in the Community (vacancy-filler.co.uk)

Membership Support Officer | Business in the Community (vacancy-filler.co.uk)

Finally, don’t forget to subscribe to future updates for a concise digest of what you need to know!

Thanks for reading and please share this newsletter with your network by hitting the 'share' button. The more people we can reach, the bigger the impact we can make across Scotland.