DLA Piper Consumer Goods, Food and Retail

Last month, our summit for the consumer goods, food, and retail sector brought together industry leaders to explore strategic responses to sustainability challenges. Nicholas Rock, our Global Co-Chair for the sector, led insightful panel discussions based on our latest research report, which surveyed 600 sector leaders on their ESG strategies. We were privileged to hear from external experts who shared their knowledge on holistic sustainability integration, board engagement, compliance, litigation, and more. In this video, attendees Anna Halford, Principal Counsel - The Walt Disney Company, Greta Koch, Policy Advisor - European Parliament and Guido Kleve, Partner - DLA Piper, share their perspectives from the summit. If you couldn't join us, you can still access our comprehensive research report via the link, covering all of the key topics discussed: https://lnkd.in/ei8TsZ_b

Panel Discussion: Mitigating Risk in Supply Chains Last month at our consumer goods, food, and retail sector, ESG summit, Richard Sterneberg, Greta Koch, Andrew Opie, Guido Kleve and Emma Piercy led a panel session to discuss the increasing complexity of global supply chains, looking at how companies must navigate diverse regulatory environments, manage relationships with numerous suppliers, and ensure compliance across different jurisdictions. Key tips for navigating these challenges: - Focus on High-Risk Areas: Prioritise resources on the most critical parts of your supply chain where you have the most impact and leverage. - Leverage Data: Use data to improve decision-making and demonstrate the value of sustainability initiatives to stakeholders. - Collaborate Across the Supply Chain: Engage with suppliers, trade associations, and government bodies to share best practices and support compliance efforts. - Proactive Engagement: Stay ahead of regulatory requirements by setting ambitious sustainability targets and working towards them collaboratively. - Advocate for Supportive Policies: Work with industry groups to advocate for policies that support sustainable practices and provide necessary resources for compliance. To further understand how CGFR companies are responding to this new era of sustainability, download our recent research findings and report here: https://lnkd.in/ei8TsZ_b #Sustainability #BusinessStrategy #ESG #Compliance #SustainableBusiness #SupplyChain

Panel Discussion Recap: How Sustainability Risks are Shaping Business Strategies Last week, we explored how sustainability is transforming the consumer goods, food, and retail (CGFR) sectors. During this panel session, we heard from Nicholas Rock, Judith Banks, Georgina Camfield and Jack Cunningham, who provided a number of key takeaways that businesses can take onboard to build ESG into their strategy, including: - Compliance vs. Strategy: Shift from short-term compliance to integrating sustainability into long-term strategies. - Regulatory Uncertainty: Frequent changes in regulations require clear communication and board-level engagement. - Supply Chain Management: Collaborate with suppliers to capture ESG data and drive sustainability. - Strategic Reporting: Use reporting to align compliance with business goals and communicate sustainability's importance to leaders. - Expertise and Collaboration: Engage internal experts and foster cross-department collaboration. - Effective Communication: Simplify regulations and promote transparency to build a culture of sustainability. - Long-Term Perspective: Embrace sustainability as a business norm and leverage it for growth opportunities. By focusing on long-term strategic integration, businesses can overcome challenges and seize opportunities in sustainability. To further understand how CGFR companies are responding to this new era of sustainability, download our recent research findings and report here: https://lnkd.in/ei8TsZ_b #Sustainability #BusinessStrategy #ESG #Compliance #SustainableBusiness

Yesterday, we hosted our "Making Sustainability Sustainable" event, which brought together industry leaders from the consumer goods, food, and retail sectors. Led by our CGFR Global Co-Chair, Nicholas Rock we held a number of panel sessions focussed on the key takeout's coming out of our recent research report which surveyed 600 leaders in the sector re. their strategic response to ESG. Throughout the day our panellists generated rich discussions, also offering practical tips and strategies for businesses to leverage sustainability for long-term success. Thank you to all of our external speakers for providing insights from across the sector: Georgina Camfield, Head of ESG, Aramark UK & Global Offshore, Jack Cunningham, Senior sustainability leader, previously M&S, Kingfisher, Gemfields and Pwc, Judith Banks, Senior ESG Counsel, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Greta Koch, Policy Advisor, European Parliament, Andrew Opie, Director of Food & Sustainability, British Retail Consortium, Emma Piercy, Head of Energy & Climate change, Food & Drink Federation, Glenda O'Hara, previously Principal Counsel, Burberry. So what were some of the key takeaways? - Holistic Integration: It's essential to embed sustainability across all business functions to ensure cohesive and effective strategies. - Board Engagement: Gaining buy-in and active participation from the Board is vital for driving meaningful change and securing necessary resources. - Litigation Awareness: Understanding the risk of litigation highlights the importance of compliance and the potential legal consequences of not adhering to sustainability standards. - EU Green Deal / Sustainability Agenda: While the roll-out of ESG-driven legislation at the EU level is a step in the right direction, it's crucial to balance the pace with adequate guidance. If you missed the event, you can download our research report here which relates to the main topics covered: https://lnkd.in/ei8TsZ_b

New EU Design Laws On 18 November 2024, the EU published Regulation (EU) 2024/2822 and Directive (EU) 2024/2823, marking a significant update to the existing EU design law. In this article authored by Elena Varese and Huw Cookson, we discuss: - The key changes - Potential impacts on businesses and designers - How these changes might shape future reforms in the UK To read the article in full, please follow this link: https://lnkd.in/e2rzWEkB

Tomorrow, we look forward to welcoming leaders from across the consumer goods, food and retail (CGFR) sector to our London offices to understand how companies are responding to a new era of sustainability. Join us for a day of insightful discussions and debate as we explore sustainable practices and strategies for future success. Panel sessions include: - How sustainability risks are shaping business strategies - Closer engagement with supply chains to mitigate sustainability risk - Practical actions to strengthen your whole business - Steps to mitigate litigation risk effectively   Throughout the day, we will hear from our DLA Piper team alongside speakers from across the sector including: Georgina Camfield, Head of ESG, Aramark UK & Global Offshore, Jack Cunningham, Senior sustainability leader, previously M&S, Kingfisher, Gemfields and Pwc, Judith Banks, Senior ESG Counsel, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Greta Koch, Policy Advisor, European Parliament, Andrew Opie, Director of Food & Sustainability, British Retail Consortium, Emma Piercy, Head of Energy & Climate change, Food & Drink Federation, Glenda O'Hara, previously Principal Counsel, Burberry.   To join us, please register your place here: https://lnkd.in/egt2wRvT

Yesterday in collaboration with our long term partner, The Conduit, we hosted a panel discussion which focussed on how businesses in the consumer goods, food and retail (CGFR) sector can navigate today’s evolving ESG landscape. Our Global Co-Chair of the CGFR sector at DLA Piper, Nicholas Rock was joined by Georgina Camfield, Head of ESG – Aramark UK, David Pettet, Group Head of Sustainability – Nomad Foods and Piers Scholfield Director - Blakeney. Throughout the discussion, the panel explored and provided real life examples as to how to build resilient and transparent supply chains while strategically adapting to ESG demands, balancing sustainability against commercial priorities, and the actionable steps they are taking to lead with resilience. Drawing on findings from our extensive market research, involving consultations with 600 C-Suite executives, they also highlighted the delicate balance between regulation, sustainability, and growth.   So what were some of the key takeout's? 📌 Supply Chain Integrity: 67% of leaders are opting for sustainable suppliers via exclusivity agreements, emphasising quality over quantity in partnerships. 📌 Embedding Sustainability from the Top Down: To engage properly with sustainability, board executives need to understand the strategic implications and risks for the business. 📌 Big Data: For both sustainability reporting and supply chain due diligence obligations, businesses will need a huge amount of data on not only themselves but also their supply and value chains. The ability to collect, validate, manage and analyse all that data is vital.   If you missed this session, next Tuesday 26th November our team will be hosting our CGFR ESG Summit, with speakers set to share key findings from our recent research survey on how global organisations are embedding sustainable value beyond compliance – ensuring a stronger business for the long-term. To register your place and download a copy of our research, please follow the link below: https://lnkd.in/e6bx7ZTE #ESG #CSRD #Sustainability #Regulation

On November 26, join us for our event, 'Making Sustainability Sustainable'. Throughout the day we'll delve into the future of sustainability in the consumer goods, food, and retail sectors. Join industry leaders as we uncover sustainable practices and strategies that contribute to long-term success. What's on the Agenda? - Navigating Regulatory Demands: We'll tackle the increasing regulatory pressures and the pitfalls of short-termism. - Compliance Strategies: Discover practical approaches to enhance supply chain transparency and meet evolving regulations. - Research Insights: Our team will share findings from our latest research, highlighting how leading companies are integrating sustainability beyond mere compliance. To find out more and register, click the link below: https://lnkd.in/eYfSmpRg

How are consumer goods, food & retail organisations responding to a new era of sustainability?   Join us on November 26 for a day of engaging discussions and insights with top leaders from the sector as we explore sustainable practices and strategies for long-term success. Together, we’ll address the challenges of increasing regulatory demands and the risks of focusing solely on short-term gains. The agenda will include practical compliance strategies to improve supply chain transparency and align with evolving regulations. Our expert speakers will also reveal key insights from our latest research on how leading companies are embedding sustainable values that go beyond basic compliance. The panel sessions will feature Greta Koch, Parliamentary Assistant at the European Parliament; Andrew Opie, Director of Food and Sustainability at the British Retail Consortium; Emma Piercy, Head of Climate Change & Energy Policy at The Food and Drink Federation; Judith Banks, Senior Corporate Counsel ESG at IHG Hotels & Resorts; Glenda O'Hara, former Principal Counsel at Burberry; Georgina Camfield, Head of ESG, Aramark UK & Global Offshore; Katherine Wolfe, Head of Sustainability, Wickes Plc. Find out more and register here: https://lnkd.in/eYfSmpRg #Sustainability #ESG #ConsumerGoods #Food #Retail

Join Andrew Opie, Emma Piercy and Guido Kleve amongst industry experts from top consumer goods, food, and retail companies on Tuesday, November 26th, as we explore sustainable business practices and strategies for future resilience. Gain insights into how leading companies are tackling sustainability challenges head-on, moving beyond compliance to strengthen business opportunities in the long-term. With heightened regulations on deforestation-free sourcing and forced labour prevention, the need for robust supply chain integrity has never been greater. Drawing from insights gathered from 600 industry leaders, we will discuss how organisations are working closely with suppliers to achieve deeper control and transparency. Register your place here: https://lnkd.in/eYfSmpRg #Sustainability #BusinessStrategy #Compliance #ESG #SupplyChain