We recently welcomed Sustainability leaders from across Oakley’s portfolio companies to Munich to network and share insights into how they’re making their businesses more resilient in the face of growing climate and cyber threats, as well as more diverse and inclusive as they seek to attract and retain the best talent.
We’re pleased to outline below three case studies from across our core sectors.
B2B legal information platform vLex has expanded rapidly across the world and today comprises 400 employees working across time zones in 15 countries and 181 cities. 60% work remotely. This makes it harder to nurture a strong corporate culture that can unify the workforce and attract and retain the best talent. vLex has leveraged EDI initiatives as one solution. The Company’s EDI programme, is up and running in each of vLex’s business units in Europe, the UK, LatAm and the US. The EDI team, comprising employee volunteers, arrange charity days, competitions, a mentorship programme and chat rooms, helping employees to feel engaged and connected. Oakley has also supported vLex to run an annual, company-wide EDI survey through our partners at Diversio. We have worked together to ensure the survey is culturally sensitive in each country, and reinforced its anonymous and confidential nature. With the results of the first survey now in, it’s time to start sharing the results with employees in order to better inform vLex’s EDI strategy. As Masoud Gerami, Managing Director of vLex’s Justis unit puts it, “Once you’ve measured, you can take action, you can decide what to do!”
North Sails is working on making sailing a more sustainable sport, starting with the sails themselves. RENEW, a North Panel Laminate, features alternative bio-based and recycled raw materials. Developed for cruising boats, it marks the start of an important shift in sail making to more sustainable materials that can promise the same performance and longevity expected in North Sails products. Sustainability remains a focus once the sails reach the end of their useful life. North’s upcycling programme saves old sails from the landfill and gives them new life as handcrafted, high-quality bags, clothing and home decorations.
Listen to Chief Sustainability Officer Madalina Preda discuss North Sails’ ESG initiatives.
Oakley’s Sustainability team has worked closely with Thomas’s to develop an overarching ESG strategy for all the schools in the Group. Thomas’s newly-established ESG Group is already facilitating the sharing of best practise across schools, and reducing plastic in catering; reducing printing and photocopying; eliminating food waste; and improving recycling. Thomas’s ESG initiatives demonstrate the Group’s commitment to achieving high sustainability standards through thoughtful procurement and dedicated environment initiatives. Whilst focusing on operational improvements, the schools have also enlisted the support of students, who are learning about how they can contribute to a more sustainable future throughout the curriculum. Thomas’s ‘Green Unicorns’ are student groups who help steer sustainability initiatives throughout the schools and student activities, thereby ensuring students contribute to the sustainability of their schools and communities.
Aga Siemiginowska
Head of Sustainability — Oakley Capital
