2023 Responsible Business Report

Irwin Mitchell has published its 2022-2023 Responsible Business Report featuring a summary of the firm’s key achievements over the last year and outlining its plans to improve further across a wide range of sustainability and inclusion metrics.

The report is the third released by the firm as part of a commitment to transparency when it comes to environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. One of Irwin Mitchell’s strategic objectives is to become a leading responsible business and the report outlines the firm’s practical achievements to date and key aspirations for the future.

The report also details how Irwin Mitchell is delivering results aligned with the firm’s sustainability and inclusion strategy and enabling clients to deliver on their own objectives through the launch of a new ESG advisory service:

• The firm became a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) initiative committing to the ten principles and the framework provided by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Irwin Mitchell has approved its near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The Roadmap to Net-Zero by 2040 includes targets to achieve 100% renewable energy use in leasehold offices by the end of 2025 and a 50% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2030
• The firm also launched a new National Charity Partnership programme to offer longer term support to charities, while still delivering local impact.   The programme aims to deliver a combination of fundraising and volunteering. (The three charities are Teenage Cancer Trust, cancer support charity, Maggie’s, and The National Literacy Trust.) 

Victoria Brackett, Group Chief Commercial Officer and Responsible Business Executive Sponsor, said: “Over the last year we’ve continued to work alongside clients, suppliers and other key stakeholders to navigate a variety of challenges and uncertainties, ranging from the cost-of-living crisis and growing social inequality, to geo-political factors such as the conflict in Ukraine, the energy crisis and the climate emergency.

“Throughout this period of ongoing uncertainty, our focus has been on deepening our understanding of the impact these issues have on our colleagues, clients and communities.

“Despite the challenges, we’ve made significant strides towards our ambition to be recognised as a leading responsible business. Whilst there is always more to do, I’m proud that we’ve grown our team, bringing in new expertise and developing our existing talent to help us address the pressing societal and environmental issues that we face.

“As people will see with this report, it’s part of our culture to share our progress and we hope that by doing so it’ll help inspire others on their own journeys in this space to embrace the ambition that is so urgently needed.” 

Kate Fergusson, Head of Responsible Business at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Over the past 12 months, our Responsible Business strategy has evolved with the aim of focusing on the issues which are most important to our business and our stakeholders and increasing the impact of our work. We’ve recently undergone a materiality assessment to ensure that we prioritise appropriately, and we are looking forward to building on our strong foundations in FY24 and beyond.”

“This latest report sets out our progress and I want to thank all of our stakeholders, including colleagues, clients, suppliers and community partners, for their continued support in pushing us closer to our goal of becoming a leading responsible business.”

Other key achievements in the report include:

Sustainability

• 82% of leasehold offices were powered by renewable electricity in FY23
• Over 2,200 acres of habitat protected through the Rainforest Trust UK Climate Action Fund via our partnership with Red-Inc
• We’ve published the main focus areas of our transition to net-zero by 2040
• Gender pay gap down year on year

Inclusion

• £259,000 group and colleague charitable donations and fundraising
• 97 people undertaking apprenticeship in FY23
• Other achievements and highlights include the launch of Vicarious Trauma sessions reaching over 152 colleagues; a menopause support service; delivering a financial wellbeing service; a Great Place To Work ‘trust’ Outcome Score of 85 per cent and the training of an additional 29 colleagues as Mental Health First Aiders