MSC Hosts Global Compact Network Switzerland

From left to right: Antonio Hautle, Senior Programme Leader & Network Representative, GCNS; Claudio Bozzo,Chief Operating Officer, Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A.

The UN Global Compact presents companies with a voluntary, best practice framework in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.  

Earlier this month, MSC was delighted to host more than 50 representatives from Global Compact Network Switzerland (GCNS).

Among those to attend MSC’s Geneva headquarters for the occasion were managers and ambassadors from the likes of University of Geneva, Philip Morris, Swiss Trading Shipping Association, UNICEF, Telenor, HP, and Business School Lausanne.

With a theme of ‘Board of Directors for the Future’ the evening conference – which marked just the second time such an undertaking had been staged – encouraged delegates to consider how Corporate Social Responsibility activity could be embedded into an organisation at the highest level.

After a welcome address from Mr. Antonio Hautle, Senior Programme Leader and Network Representative of the GCNS, Professor Rajna Gibson Brandon, from the University of Geneva, took to the stage to present the findings of a recent study.

The study offered an insight into the legal, economic, risk and ethical reasons why Boards should prioritise CSR as part of their company’s strategy.

Professor Gibson Brandon discussed the links between investor behaviour, corporate financial performance, and Environmental/Social/Governance (ESG) performance.

Attendees also benefited from a presentation given by RepRisk, a business intelligence company specialising in ESG data and corporate benchmarking.

The conference, which had been jointly organised by RepRisk, Engageability and GCNS, closed with a panel discussion on ‘the need for action’, summarising the recommended tactics which could be employed to boost global boardroom participation and commitment to sustainability. 

Panellists included:

• Regi Aalstaf, Board Member, Telenor
• Prof. Rajna Gibson Brandon, University of Geneva
• Maximilian Martin, Global Head of Philanthropy, Lombard Odier
• Katrin Muff, Dean Business School Lausanne
• Huub Savelkouls, VP Strategic Policy Initiatives, Philip Morris International