Our Partner & Head of Financial Services, Rachel Hillier, recently joined a panel discussion at the Social Impact and Responsible Innovation Symposium. The panel discussed the complexities and opportunities in responsible innovation. Hear Rachel’s thoughts as part of the wider panel discussion on the future of responsible innovation and the role of ESG in driving meaningful change.
The symposium, delivered jointly by Innovate UK and the Economic & Social Research Council, brought together experts from diverse fields to explore how innovation can drive social impact while balancing the need for environmental and ethical responsibility. This event provided a platform for thought leaders to share insights on how businesses can integrate sustainable practices into their core strategies, highlighting both challenges and success stories in this evolving landscape.
Rachel Hillier, Partner & Head of Financial Services, participated in the Responsible Innovation: Definition, Challenges, and Opportunities panel discussion. Alongside fellow panellists Sara Closs Davies (Alliance Manchester Business School) and Marina Traversari (CEO & Founder, Chilled Squirrels), and under the moderation of Lara Pecis (Cardiff Business School), Rachel offered her expertise on navigating the complexities of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices.
During the discussion, Rachel emphasised the delicate balancing act businesses face when aligning their ESG strategies with the expectations of shareholders, investors, customers, and regulators. Pointing out that organisations need to consider not only profitability and compliance but also the wellbeing of employees, the wider community, and environmental impact.
A key challenge that was highlighted in the finance sector: while around 80% of people express interest in sustainable investments, only a fraction of that is actually invested. She identified a critical oversight — financial advisers often fail to ask clients whether they are interested in ESG-friendly investments. By simply asking that question, the financial landscape could shift significantly toward more responsible investment choices.
These insights underscore that responsible innovation doesn’t always rely on complex technological solutions — sometimes, the answers are simpler and involve adjusting processes to reflect the growing demand for sustainability, particularly in addressing the needs of vulnerable customers.
How can we help?
If your business requires assistance or advice with your ESG strategy reach out to our Financial Services team.
