Transformative Leadership in Sustainability: Fran Haycock's Journey at Greencore

In our chat with Fran Haycock, we unravel how businesses are shifting their sustainability approaches to embrace transformation leadership roles. Fran explains the increasing need for CSOs to spearhead rapid transformation programs while balancing compliance elements. This dual focus often leads to structural changes within organisations, as seen in Greencore’s internal restructuring, which involved downsizing and decentralising sustainability efforts. A pivotal part of Greencore’s new strategy is the "plan ownership model," where leaders from different departments champion various sustainability topics with strong executive support. Despite initial resistance and the necessity for leader upskilling, this model has shown positive results, particularly in the last few months.

We dive deep into the specifics of managing and reducing Scope 3 emissions, especially the challenges posed by product ingredients and packaging. Fran illustrates these points with an example of a chicken and bacon sandwich and discusses the complexities of implementing recipe changes due to retailer control and consumer preferences. The discussion emphasises the need for ongoing consumer education on the carbon impact of products and the intersection of health and sustainability goals.

Fran also highlights the importance of supporting sustainability leaders and newcomers, debunking the myth that specific backgrounds are required to enter the field. Her personal journey from finance and change management to sustainability underscores the value of transferable skills. The episode concludes with a reflection on future targets, including responsible sourcing of soy and cage-free eggs, and preparing for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

Timestamps

• [00:00] Introduction of the episode and guests, Fran Haycock.
• [02:15] Fran discusses evolving sustainability roles in businesses.
• [08:30] The structure and strategy of sustainability at Greencore.
• [12:45] Implementing the "plan ownership model" and initial challenges.
• [19:00] Progress in sustainability initiatives and executive support.
• [24:10] Understanding and managing Scope 3 emissions at Greencore.
• [30:35] The role of product recipe design in reducing carbon footprint.
• [37:00] Challenges with consumer preferences and retailer control.
• [43:20] Fran’s journey and background in transitioning to sustainability.
• [50:15] Supporting newcomers and leaders in sustainability.
• [56:00] Future sustainability targets and preparation for CSRD.
• [01:02:30] Conclusion and final thoughts.

Links and Resources:

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