“We wanted to acknowledge the leadership position of those companies that do more to promote higher social, environmental and governance standards, and encourage others to work towards achieving higher FTSE4Good ESG Ratings. Sir Mervyn was passionate about advancing corporate sustainability. We are very proud of his involvement in the FTSE4Good Index Series and we felt this award was a fitting tribute to him,” says Mark Makepeace, chief executive of FTSE.
This year’s winner, Unilever, was chosen from a short list of eight that scored very highly relative to their sector, and which have improved their ratings significantly over the past three years. Companies were judged partly on their FTSE4Good ESG ratings, as well as on the quality of their sustainability strategy and the delivery against that strategy over recent years, together with quantified evidence of their achievements.
Mark Makepeace presented the award to Jean-Marc Huet, Unilever’s chief financial officer, at the London Stock Exchange on Monday 10th December. “We are delighted to have been chosen as the inaugural winner of the Sir Mervyn FTSE4Good Award," says Jean-Marc. "The Unilever Sustainable Living Plan is at the heart of our new business model for sustainable, equitable growth and, excitingly, is inspiring people inside and outside the company. We’re 18 months into the plan and we’ve already achieved much, but it will all be for nought if we can’t persuade others – consumers, NGOs, governments, businesses – to each take small actions individually to make a big difference collectively and to work in partnership to help solve some of the big issues the planet faces."