Standardisation of environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics is a critical foundation for effective corporate disclosure and improved sustainability performance. Our relationship with the GRI has grown since Jonathon’s contribution to elements of the first GRI Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, launched at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg in 2002. More recently, Jonathon convened the GRI / IIRC Corporate Leadership Group on integrated reporting; he serves on the Advisory Group to the GRI Focal Point SA and has been a regulator contributor to GRI Conferences and panel discussions in Amsterdam and Johannesburg. Incite has undertaken various research projects for the GRI, including: assessing the impact of the GRI Framework on reporting and performance in South Africa (2013-2015); contributing to a report on big data and sustainability reporting (2017); evaluating the impact of supply chain reporting in South Africa (2017); and reviewing corporate accountability and action on UN SDG1 on poverty (2018).

Incite became Africa’s first SVI affiliate in 2013, with Incite director Nicola Robins serving on the Global Affiliate Advisory Board from 2014-2016. We’ve engaged in knowledge exchange through online sessions with affiliates from across the globe, as well as in-person discussions with Mark Kramer and the SVI team at their offices in San Francisco.

Incite director, Nicola, is a member of this network and engages in regional and global events. The network is aptly described as “a diverse, collaborative, and joyful community that drives positive change”. Global Forums bring together leaders from all over the world to discuss and develop solutions to complex questions of our time. How to stabilize fragile societies? How can societies find a way out of violent conflicts? How to foster social inclusion of marginalized parts of the population? Results and recommendations are shared with international decision-makers and the larger public.

Jonathon has undertaken various engagements for the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) since its inception in 2010: he served on two IIRC advisory groups (on Value Creation and Materiality); facilitated the GRI/IIRC Corporate Leadership Group on Integrated Reporting; and contributes to IIRC-accredited training courses. In South Africa, he was one of the initial members of the Working Group of the SA IR Committee, and was a lead author of the IRC’s 2011 discussion paper, ‘Framework for Integrated Reporting and the Integrated Report’, one of the first guidance papers on integrated reporting globally.  He has published various papers on integrated reporting, and represented ISO on the Global Reporting Dialogue.

Incite directors Jonathon and Nicola have been contributing to the design and delivery of CISL’s executive and practitioner programmes in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria, since CISL opened their Africa office in Cape Town in 2004. Our training and collaboration with CISL has inspired hundreds of African delegates to sustainability thinking and practice.

“Jonathon and Nicola share their deep experience and expertise on our programmes in a way that inspires and empowers delegates. They all leave with ideas and strategies to drive change in their organisations.”  Elspeth Donovan – South African Deputy Director, CISL

Jonathon’s long involvement with ISO dates back to 1993 as a South African delegate at the birth of the ISO 14000 series on environmental management. In 2005, he led the South African delegation to the ISO process developing ISO 26000 on Social Responsibility. During that five-year process, Jonathon was elected to lead the global multi-stakeholder negotiations on the text, securing consensus – from more than 450 experts, 95 countries and 45 global organisations – on the principles and guidance on such issues as organisational governance, human rights, fair labour practices, the environment and consumer rights. He subsequently assisted ISO DEVCO in promoting social responsibility in the MENA region and East Africa. He served as ISO’s representative on the international Corporate Reporting Dialogue, alongside organisations such as CDP, CDSB, GRI, IIRC and SASB.

GIZ’s highly skilled network fosters development cooperation in Africa and across the globe. The Competence Center for Cooperation with the Private Sector (SA) applies particularly innovative approaches to driving positive social impact. Incite worked with GIZ in developing and presenting Shared Value training (piloted in Berlin). Further engagement involved market analysis and stakeholder engagement in support of strengthening cooperation with the private sector in South Africa.

Uongozi means leadership in Kiswahili; inspiring and strengthening leadership for sustainable development is the core purpose of this Tanzanian-based agency.  Incite has contributed to the African Leadership Forum, a dedicated space for frank discussion on the challenges facing Africa that is organised by the Office of the Former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Benjamin W. Mkapa in conjunction with the UONGOZI Institute.

We have worked with WWF South Africa on various projects aimed at driving improved corporate performance.  In addition to advising the NGO on the initial establishment of their Sustainable Business unit, we recently assisted them in reviewing the feasibility and nature of potential collaborative initiatives within the South African food and retail sector, aimed at addressing some of the nutritional challenges associated with the South African food system.

In 2006, prompted by the low level of awareness and engagement on climate change issues in the South African investment community, Jonathon approached the CDP’s head office in London to bring this global initiative to South Africa. After engaging with the NBI to secure their role as the local institutional partners, Incite led the CDP’s launch in South Africa in 2007.  For the next eight years, we undertook the annual analysis of the JSE 100 Climate Change responses, and more recently also undertook the analysis for the CDP SA Water Program.

Launched in 1995 by former President Nelson Mandela, the NBI is a focal point for business-led collective action in the spheres of housing, capacity building, crime, education and climate change. Incite’s relationship with the NBI spans some 15 years. Jonathon served on the Advisory Committee to the NBI Sustainable Futures Unit (2004-2006) and Incite continues to provide advisory services as requested, including assistance with annual reporting, training and strategic dialogues. Initiating the CDP to South Africa in 2007, we engaged the NBI as a fitting lead partner for this global disclosure initiative.

Jonathon and Nicola present guest lectures for each of the School’s programmes – the Masters in Business Administration (MBA), the Executive MBA, Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration, the Associate in Management – as well as contributing to various Executive Education courses. From 2002-2012 Jonathon was a Visiting Senior Lecturer, responsible for running a module on ‘Business and Sustainable Development’ as part of the core course ‘Business, Government and Society’; he is currently a Teaching Fellow at the Graduate School of Business.

As visiting faculty, Jonathon is responsible for convening and teaching a core course on Sustainable Enterprise, in which postgraduate students critically review the role of business in addressing societal challenges, with a particular focus on the African context. Students consider the merits and practicalities of implementing a strategic response to environmental, social and governance issues, critique recent trends in corporate accountability, and assess the implications of key global initiatives on sustainability, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Through a negotiating game, students reflect on the power dynamics necessary to effect broader systemic change.

Incite supports the work and ambitions of ZBiDF, by coaching the team and some key stakeholders on Shared Value. We contribute to workshops and public engagements aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of the business opportunities associated with addressing societal challenges. And who doesn’t love working in Zambia?