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Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance

Talking purpose and ethics

A study on ethical business

2020 was the year that made business leaders across the globe look closely at the true meaning of 'Purpose' and rethink the practice of good ethics.

The world's focus on economic, social and racial issues and inequalities has shifted up a gear, and how businesses are responding is subject to ever greater scrutiny.

Clifford Chance has been working with Principia, a leading advisory firm on Business Ethics on a new study that explores the approaches to ethics and responsibility. Through a series of thought-provoking interviews, it examines perspectives from leaders of the world’s largest companies on how they are addressing the challenges of ethical business, as well as highlighting the innovative ways companies are integrating ethics and purpose into the heart of their organisations.

How important is purpose? Is it just a slogan? What role do ethics and purpose play for businesses in the current pandemic? These are just a few of the questions put to those who sit at the top of their organisation.

Download the Ethics Study

The Ethics Study is a global research study on ethical and responsible business, conducted by Principia Advisory in partnership with Clifford Chance, the International Chamber of Commerce, INvolve, GlobeScan, and the Institute of Business Ethics.

The Study presents perspectives from some of the world’s most prominent business leaders on the importance of ethical business, showcasing innovative approaches by companies integrating ethics into the heart of their organisations.

Download the report

What does it mean to be a Responsible Business today?

Hot off the heels of COP26, Global Senior Partner Jeroen Ouwehand caught up with founder of Principia Advisory David Rodin to discuss our firm's journey in 2021, establishing our values-based Code of Conduct and core principles of our culture, as well as the Business Ethics Report we published together recently which looks at a 'new era' of ethics in business.

Highlights from the video interviews

Franz Paasche

Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Paypal

Franz talks about the challenges they face regarding the use of the PayPal platform, the difficult decisions they have had to make and why living by their values and ensuring their walk matches their talk is so important.

Kenny Nwosu

CEO Norsad Bank

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues are now a top priority for the majority of businesses. For Norsad Bank, it has been part of their DNA since they were first established in 1990. When Jeroen and David caught up with their CEO Kenny Nwosu, he shared exactly why the 'S' and the 'E' are what they have always focused on.

Harriet Green OBE

Former Chair and CEO of IBM

Former Chair and CEO of IBM Asia Pacific Harriet Green OBE talks about what ethics means to her, the qualities needed to lead a tech company and more.

Mark Hoplamazian

CEO Hyatt Group

Mark talks about the obstacles the company has had to navigate during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the importance of the company's purpose and business ethics in a crisis.

Ann Cairns

Executive Vice Chair, Mastercard

Ann talks about ethical expectations in business, purpose, inclusion and more.

Alan Jope

CEO Unilever

Alan Jope talks about heading up a purpose-driven company and how Unilever defines purpose.

"The interviews are a great way to get insight into what business leaders around the world and from different cultures understand what ethics and purpose to mean for their organisations, what the impact is on their organisation's business decisions, governance and engagement with stakeholders, and to hear from them to what extent having a clear societal purpose attracts talent and drives profit."

Jeroen Ouwehand, Partner

Responsible Business reporting

Future Focus 

In FY23, our firm continued to focus on helping our clients navigate a complex legal and regulatory landscape and on advancing our own responsible business strategy. We did this with an eye towards the future, concentrating on areas critical to our sustainability and the challenges and opportunities we know our clients will face in the future.

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Our insights

The latest points of view from our people on our responsible business activities

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