Frankly Speaking - A Podcast on Responsible Business

Frank Bold

Frankly Speaking is a double award-winning podcast on responsible business by Frank Bold - discussing the latest political, legal and business developments in the field of ESG, business and human rights and corporate reporting. Host Richard Howitt is a pioneer in the field of corporate disclosure and former Member of the European Parliament. He speaks frankly and personally about what moves policy makers, business and activists to make responsible business the norm and last but not least - redefine business!

  1. 2D AGO

    #103 Emily Farnworth: The ‘G’ in ESG – Board Directors & Sustainability

    Often the weaker side of current corporate sustainability practice, governance – the ‘G’ in ESG – covers everything from how decisions are made, to transparency, oversight and accountability within company boards. But as an essential component of companies' journey to net zero, how can they better integrate sustainability into the heart of their business?  In this episode of Frankly Speaking, Richard Howitt was joined by Emily Farnworth, CEO of Chapter Zero Alliance, an NGO supporting board directors across 70 countries to lead on climate and nature governance.  Together they discussed Chapter Zero Alliance’s new Principles for Climate and Nature Governance in partnership with the World Economic Forum, and how they can help board directors across the world in their sustainability governance processes. You’ll also hear about:  Why progress has been slow in sustainability governance, and what needs to change   How companies can make sustainability an authentic part of business strategy  The importance of board attitudes and mindset towards stakeholders in the new Principles   How intergenerational conversations on sustainability within family-owned businesses is sparking change within corporate governance   Emily’s one question to board members and senior management within companies to make effective sustainability governance a reality   Listen in and follow us on LinkedIn and Youtube!

    36 min
  2. 12/18/2025

    #96 Julia Otten & Andreas Rasche: The Definitive Guide to the Final EU Omnibus

    The Omnibus 1 agreement has finally been signed off – but what happens next?  In this last episode before the Christmas break, Frank Bold’s Senior Policy Officer Julia Otten and Andreas Rasche, Assistant Dean and Professor of Business in Society at Copenhagen Business School, return to the Frankly Speaking podcast, hosted by Richard Howitt, to give their final verdict on what the Omnibus 1 means for the effectiveness of sustainability legislation in the EU.  Together they discussed to what extent the final Omnibus package provides certainty to businesses and broke down the key changes to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). You’ll also hear more about:  How the Omnibus 1 changes may impact businesses in the future – including the risk of facing heavier burdens due to less available information  The significance of the Ombuswoman’s finding of malpractice by the European Commission during this Omnibus 1 process, especially for future simplification packages  The role of the far-right in pushing through the final Omnibus 1 text, and why companies have an obligation to speak out   Whether historians writing on this period may still regard this era of simplification as a step forward, not a step back  Julia and Andreas’s advice to companies on what they should do now the final Omnibus 1 package has been concluded  Listen in and follow us on LinkedIn and Youtube!

    32 min

About

Frankly Speaking is a double award-winning podcast on responsible business by Frank Bold - discussing the latest political, legal and business developments in the field of ESG, business and human rights and corporate reporting. Host Richard Howitt is a pioneer in the field of corporate disclosure and former Member of the European Parliament. He speaks frankly and personally about what moves policy makers, business and activists to make responsible business the norm and last but not least - redefine business!

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