From Conversation to Collaboration: The Launch of the ICRS Yorkshire Hub

The hub's first major activity has been The E, the S and the G, a webinar series designed to explore ESG through practical insights and critical reflection. So far, this initiative has confirmed the value (and the urgency) of this dialogue, and has provided a promising start for what we hope will be a growing programme of activities.

In the first three sessions, we welcomed a remarkable group of speakers: Vikki Callaghan on 2 May (Project Manager at BASF), Vicky Williams on 5 June (CEO at Emerald Publishing), Ricky Alfred on 16 July (Director of Responsible Business at Paragon Global Brands) and Tony Underwood on 18 September (former rugby international and Co-founder of Believe Solutions). Their perspectives spanned the global chemical industry, academic publishing, brand leadership and social value creation; yet, a common thread ran through them all: a deep commitment to embedding purpose within organisational strategy and culture, creating a synergy - a virtuous circle - between strategy and culture in responsible organisations.

Each session followed a simple format: a ten-minute talk, a facilitated dialogue, and time for questions. What emerged went well beyond information sharing and uncovered hard-won insights, while at the same time raising critical challenges, and inspiring participants to think more deeply about what ESG looks like in practice, especially across different sectors.

BASF’s Vikki Callaghan explained how the chemical industry is not only pursuing carbon reduction but actively transforming its approach to circularity – through innovations such as chemcycling and renewable feedstocks. Her presentation did not shy away from complexity, yet she made a strong case for how corporate sustainability can be driven both top-down and bottom-up, from site design to supply chain engagement.

Emerald Publishing's Vicky Williams gave us a compelling look into what it means to run a business where CSR is fully integrated, not just 'bolted on'. Emerald's Three Ps framework - People, Planet, Prosperity - is not simply a reporting tool but also underpins staff key performance indicators, product strategy, and even the approach to community literacy in the Bradford area and beyond, strengthening and reviving the link between knowledge, inclusion and social value.

Ricky Alfred offered a vivid masterclass in 'what it takes' to lead ESG thinking across a global brand. His refusal to 'create a standalone sustainability strategy' - insisting instead that 'the business strategy' must be sustainable - resonated strongly. So did the practical details: for example, mapping the educational background of employees' parents to assess social mobility, developing alternatives to plastic from household waste, and building supply chain resilience through shared business planning.

More recently, Tony Underwood, drawing on careers in international rugby and aviation, challenged us to rethink what 'social value' really means in practice. Through Believe Solutions and its High-Performance Social Value framework, he illustrated how organisations can move beyond fragmented, symbolic care towards measurable, long-term community impact. His analogy of the rugby scrum - with communities at the centre and every stakeholder aligned in support - captured the essence of collective lift. By emphasising data, discipline, and belief, he showed how social value can be transformed from a compliance exercise into a driver of inclusive growth and purpose-led performance.

Across these sessions, new tensions and opportunities for future research also surfaced. Some questions of language and legitimacy - Is ESG the 'new' CSR? Is 'purpose-led' a useful term or a marketing strategy? - triggered some reflective discussions among practitioners and academics. Others observed how legislation is now overtaking voluntary certification schemes, and wondered whether smaller organisations can navigate the complex demands of ESG reporting. These are not simply theoretical questions; they are strategic and very practical.

As an academic and a co-founder of the ICRS Yorkshire Hub, I regarded these webinars informative, energising and rewarding. They reaffirmed the idea that ESG is not only an abstract agenda - it is rather a community of practice in the making.

More broadly, this work aligns with our Business School's role as a civic and knowledge anchor in the region. By connecting sustainability leaders from industry, third sector, and education, the ICRS Yorkshire Hub is not only facilitating enterprise engagement, but it is also seeding collaborative opportunities for research, student learning and innovation.

We will return later in the autumn with the next round of sessions with our next event taking place in November, building on this strong start. As the first initiative of the ICRS Yorkshire Hub, it has set a clear tone for this Hub to be a home for knowledge exchange, professional development, and collaborative research. In the months ahead, we will build on this momentum with further events, collaborations and opportunities. If you are working on responsible business - whether through policy, partnerships, education, or enterprise - we invite you to join us, contribute your voice, and be part of the next chapter.