OC&C Strategy Consultants unveils its featured film in the global Common Good series, presented by B Lab Global and produced by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions, showcasing how pro bono work can deliver meaningful social change while sharpening business resilience.
The film spotlights OC&C’s long-running pro bono partnership with UK children’s charity NSPCC, offering an inside look at how professional consulting can be used to amplify social impact.
Deidre Sorensen, Partner and Global Leader, ESG says, “We chose to feature our work with NSPCC because it demonstrates how we can use our strategic consulting skills to bring about social impact. Our message in sharing this is not necessarily about encouraging every firm to engage in pro bono work, but rather to showcase one of the many ways we’ve chosen to have real impact – utilising our strengths and capabilities as a business. Being a B Corp means believing that business can be a force for good – and we think by taking what we do well in our day-to-day business and applying it to charity, we can have outsized impact in a way that also grows our people and our capabilities.”
OC&C’s pro bono work is only one strand of a broader ESG strategy, which touches all parts of the business, including client work, operations, supply chain, employee development and environmental footprint.
Making purpose strategic
OC&C’s ESG strategy has been built on its long-standing approach to impact and ensuring it’s the best home for the best strategy talent. As the world and talent environment has evolved in recent years, it’s been important to refine and shape the ESG agenda for the future – and to ensure there are no blind spots. OC&C draws on external frameworks like B Corp and the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) to inform and challenge its thinking, without letting those frameworks define the entirety of the agenda.
Pro bono consulting does not necessarily easily fit into these external frameworks (it is neither financial donation nor volunteering, per se), but it’s been an important cornerstone of OC&C’s strategy for decades and something close to the heart of many OC&Cers. It has also grown as the firm has evolved and expanded, now reaching all OC&C global offices and touching many worth causes. In FY24, OC&C dedicated pro bono work equivalent to 2.1% of global revenue (1.6% on a three-year rolling average basis) supporting causes from children’s welfare to environmental sustainability. Over 100 employees contributed to these projects, working with partners chosen by the local offices to reflect local values.
“Purpose and performance are not opposing forces,” said Deidre. “We’ve seen how values-led work, such as our pro bono activities, helps us retain talent, sharpen our thinking, and build stronger teams.”
Making ESG transparent and authentic
OC&C shares its ESG performance regularly, focusing on what’s worked well and where progress has been achieved as well as where there is room to improve. Says Deidre, “It’s important to be open and authentic in our communications. We believe transparency isn’t just about publishing metrics, it’s about sharing progress and challenges alike, to encourage accountability, raise standards and invite collective progress across the industry. Doing the right thing shouldn’t be a competition – we hope to learn from and inspire other companies on the journey.”
Lessons for other corporates
OC&C hopes its inclusion in the Common Good series will encourage others to explore their own models of responsible growth.
“We’re sharing one example of what’s worked for us,” said Deidre. “If you’re a strategy firm, your people are your greatest asset – let them use their skills to create value beyond profit. If you’re a different type of firm, we hope this inspires you to look at how you can potentially use other skills and assets and apply them in ways that drive real impact.”
Where next
Committing to B Corp requires a commitment to continuous improvement and this is something OC&C takes seriously – across all pillars of its ESG strategy, there are plans and targets to do even more. For example, environmentally, OC&C has validated its net zero targets through SBTi and continues to invest in reducing its environmental footprint across offices and supply chains. It’s not just about centrally driven initiatives, however – much of the ESG agenda is about galvanising the energy within the firm to do things differently.
“Being a B Corp isn’t about the badge, it’s a mindset,” said Deidre. “We’ve learned that when you embed purpose in strategy, and hold yourself accountable, the business becomes more resilient, more human, and ultimately, more successful.”
Speak to the experts
OC&C Strategy Consultants brings unrivalled insight and strategic expertise within several core sectors. The team brings unmatched expertise to support your strategic goals, having supported over 500 deals with local players and global champions. The firm is partnering with clients to navigate transformation with rigor and foresight, and can offer exclusive access to data, trend analysis, and expert commentary.
For further details, please visit: https://www.occstrategy.com/en/common-good/