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Minters launches new integrated offering
MinterEllison has unveiled a new integrated environmental, social and governance (ESG) offering in a bid to respond to strong client demand coming out of the sectors.
Emma Musgrave
Minters’ new ESG offering will focus on climate change risk and sustainability, business and human rights, responsible finance and investment and governance and conduct.
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It will be headed up by partners Geraldine Johns-Putra, Keith Rovers, Donna Worthington and Gordon Williams, and head of climate risk governance Sarah Barker.
Ms Barker said the launch of the new offering aims to meet considerable client demand.
“Historically, ‘ESG’ was often viewed as ‘non-financial’ or ‘ethical’ in nature, and irrelevant to the pursuit of financial objectives. In recent years that has changed dramatically,” Ms Barker said.
“There is now mainstream recognition among regulators, investors and corporate boards that ESG issues present risks and opportunities that are squarely, and often materially, financial.
“Our clients are seeking advice that understands their holistic corporate context as they grapple with how to transform their approach to ESG and its governance – led from the board down.”
Ms Barker added clients are increasingly understanding that ESG issues are “multifaceted”, enhancing the need for experts in this space.
“Economic risks are being driven not only by the policy and regulatory environment (both in Australia and internationally), but in shifts in stakeholder expectations across financial supply chains and the real economy. This presents a significant challenge for corporate governance – and very real litigation risk exposures for the unwary,” she explained.
Ms Johns-Putra added: “Clients are increasingly concerned about ESG issues and we are facing rising demand to assist with new compliance requirements”.
“Clients want advisers who can guide them on specific tasks while working with them to embed sustainability into their governance frameworks, their culture and their businesses.”
Ms Johns-Putra said the top three areas where boards were seeking guidance are ESG reporting and disclosures, increasing transparency of responsible practice in their supply chains, and the overall impact of ESG regulation on strategy and governance.
“The new ASX Governance Principles and Recommendations around responsible corporate culture and more detailed ESG reporting are an example of heightened expectations in the area,” she said.
“The Hayne royal commission is another, calling out the need for a long-term view of shareholder value that considers the interests of many stakeholders.”
