19fbtechreview.comOCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2025In terms of ethics, we have many stakeholders that hold us to account and steer prioritisation--our own employees, customers, NGOs, industry working groups and more. We're also make sure our external reporting is independently verified, so our customers can trust what we sayresponsible sourcing policies is rather like trying to find one size that fits all, a policy needs to address the issue but to do so in a way that is commercially and practically feasible for our suppliers. One way in which we do this is by working with NGOs (for example, Efeca for soya) to understand the supply chain and what level of ambition is feasible, liaising with suppliers to outline our ambition and understand their ability to match it and then creating our policy and giving suppliers a timeframe in which to fully align. Incorporating ESG strategy: Tech Solutions for Carbon Footprint and Data QualityWe're partnering with CarbonCloud, providers of a SaaS tool that gives us the capability to provide customers product carbon-footprint data for every product in our range and to engage suppliers in the all-important task of improving data quality in this area, so that we can measure and reduce the carbon impact of the food we sell. There's huge potential for tech expansion in food and agriculture that we're seeing the development of tools--for monitoring deforestation, soil quality, carbon sequestration, land use change and more--to meet the demand for better data on food provenance. Key Advice for Future Leaders: Build Influence and Collaborate SmartlyThere are lots of fairly predictable answers to this question, but my top tips would be: 1. Work out how best to get `invited to the table.' In sustainability, we often have to fight for a voice, struggle to secure budgets and survive with minimal resource. But you don't need to be a victim of circumstance, no one but yourself is likely to change this! Devote some time working out how you add value, create your own metrics, seek stakeholder testimonials and position your function as the value-adding entity that you already are. Identify others that already see this and amplify their voices. 2. Leverage other teams to achieve your objectives ­ Learn to speak their language to harness their motivation for change. Operating business in a more sustainable way helps manage and mitigate cost and risk (finance), enhances brand (marketing/PR), enhances the proposition to your customers and may open up new markets (sales), helps anticipate regulatory changes (legal), can drive greater resilience (supply chain) etc. 3. Finally, recognise the risk of burnout ­ This is a tough gig! The earlier you recognise your limitations and what is or isn't within your gift to influence, the better. There will always be more that needs to be done, so make time for things that help you recalibrate--whether it be sport, socialising, being in nature, whatever! And try and find like-minded people to feel supported, as this can be a lonely role.
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