Webcast: Navigating the dynamic ESG landscape – key UK considerations for boards and senior management

November 4, 2020

COVID-19 has shone a bright light on the critical role that ESG considerations can play for companies and firms. Questions of corporate purpose and the meaning of “success” have been reprised and are being carefully considered in the context of an active debate around stakeholder capitalism.  Critically, the role and expectations of directors and management in pursuing a sustainability agenda have risen to the top of the agenda for corporates, legislatures and regulators alike.

But what constitutes “good governance” in the context of ESG and how do boards and senior managers address the complex web of rules, regulations, standards and frameworks which apply at a national, regional and global level? During this webinar, members of the ESG Practice Group of Gibson Dunn (London) will provide some insights to help navigate the global ESG landscape from a UK perspective, touching on key rules and regulations, forthcoming developments and trends, and practical tips including:

  • An overview of the ESG landscape
  • How boards are fulfilling their directors’ duties in the wake of the new vision of the “purposeful company” including engagement with stakeholder groups
  • Key reporting and disclosure requirements
  • Governance structures and features that underpin effective, integrated ESG business models
  • Market trends and emerging rules, regulations and policy changes
  • Risk mitigation, litigation risk and shareholder pressures
  • Practical guidance and examples for boards and managers

View Slides (PDF)



PANELISTS:

Selina Sagayam is a partner in Gibson Dunn’s international corporate team. Her practice focuses on international corporate finance transactional work, including public and private M&A, joint ventures, international equity capital markets offerings and advisory work focused on corporate governance, shareholder activism and securities law advice. Regarded as one of the leading public M&A advisers in the UK, Ms. Sagayam has advised on hostile, competitive and recommended takeovers. Ms. Sagayam is also noted for her expertise in financial services and regulatory advice. She advises boards and senior management of international corporations, exchanges, regulators, investment banks, and financial sponsors (private equity and hedge funds) on such issues. Her experience as a senior secondee at the UK takeover Panel and also as a non-executive director of a FTSE250 company has positioned her uniquely in her practice area. Ms. Sagayam established and co-chairs the firm’s UK ESG Practice Group.

Susy Bullock is a partner in Gibson Dunn’s international litigation team.  Ms. Bullock specializes in commercial litigation and investigations, and business and human rights. Previously Ms. Bullock was Head of Litigation for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at UBS and had responsibility for all litigation and contentious regulatory matters in the EMEA region for the bank including commercial and white-collar criminal litigation, as well as certain internal investigations. In a business and human rights context, Ms. Bullock has supported the Thun Group of banks since 2016 and has also participated in various consultations of the UN Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights. Ms. Bullock can advise clients on sustainability and corporate social responsibility matters such as supply chain issues and investigations, non-financial disclosures and Modern Slavery Act 2015 compliance, and disputes.  Ms. Bullock co-chairs the firm’s UK ESG Practice Group.

Anna Howell is a partner in Gibson Dunn’s international corporate team, a co-chair of the Oil & Gas practice, and a member of the firm’s Energy & Infrastructure, M&A, Private Equity, and UK ESG practice groups.  Ms. Howell advises on complex cross-border transactions and advisory work in the energy sector with a particular focus on alternative energy, renewables, gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG).  Over her 25+ year career she has advised high-profile clients on some of their most prestigious and challenging mandates, including first entries into both mature and emerging markets throughout Europe, Africa, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.  Ms. Howell has advised clients on re-use and repurposing in the context of decommissioning as well as switching to cleaner fuels, energy efficiency, sustainability and emissions trading.   Ms. Howell spent over 11 years practising in Asia and has worked in London, Singapore, Hong Kong and Beijing.