The Responsible Company

The Responsible Company

“You can’t escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.”

In partnership with Decision Magazine, across the past twelve months, a selection of the Central South & South East's leading business directors have been sharing their thoughts on what it means to be a 'Responsible Company'.

Catherine Jones and Helen O'Kane, tax partner and M&A partner respectively have shared their thoughts on the discovered emerging trends from each interview. The full interview with Catherine and Helen is available to read below.

All interviews are now readily available in the full book, and via the drop down menu:

Spotlight interviews

Each month, the latest thought-provoking interviews are available here for you to download.

The Responsible Company - Full Book

Download the complete book of all interviews commissioned by BDO, and written and published by DECISION magazine.

Helen O'Kane & Catherine Jones Interview

To conclude the series produced in collaboration with DECISION magazine, M&A partner, Helen O'Kane, and tax partner, Catherine Jones, shared their thoughts from the interviews, and their insights into how businesses address ESG going forward.


AudiotonixJames Gordon, Chief Executive
"A business needs an underlying sense of purpose, which influences everything it does."
▶ Read our latest interview
Carrington WestJames Fernandes, Managing Director"A responsible business will still be doing the right things when nobody is looking."▶ Read our latest interview
CennoxClive Nation, Group Chief Executive"ESG and the profit motive have to be intertwined because we won’t be able to have one without the other."▶ Read our latest interview
Eficode UKGerry Tombs, CEO"Sustainability has to be represented on the executive because then it becomes part of the DNA."▶ Read our latest interview
Embridge ConsultingEmma O'Brien, Chief Executive“I am a strong believer in working with organisations that match the culture of our business. It’s also about enabling your staff to really deliver to the best of their ability."▶ Read our latest interview
Europa WorldwideAndrew Baxter, Chief Executive“The concepts of responsible... have to come from your heart, how you believe business should be done.”▶ Read our latest interview
FatFaceWill Crumbie, Chief Executive Officer“I would say the drive for change has to come from people, not government, or arguably even companies."▶ Read our latest interview
FDM GroupRod Flavell, Chief Executive"In this digital age, so much about a company's approach to ESG can evolve around soundbites..."▶ Read our latest interview
Golden Acre FoodsNeale Powell-Cook, Director"We should be influencing and inspiring each other, and that requires more than having accreditations."▶ Read our latest interview
Hadland GroupCheryl Hadland, Managing Director"It's up to companies to take the lead with initiatives because governments aren't acting fast enough."▶ Read our latest interview
Health PartnersAndrew Noble, Chief Executive"It goes without saying that with values, a company can't make this stuff up in the hope that people will believe it."▶ Read our latest interview
Herb UKRaoul Perfitt, Chairman"It's dawning on society that businesses can't make profit at the expense of the planet."▶ Read our latest interview
Hillier NurseriesGeorge Hillier, Director of Property"A true partnership means both parties are prepared to challenge each other, for the right reasons."▶ Read our latest interview
Identity GlobalMichael Gietzen, Managing Director“A responsible business doesn't leave anything to chance.”▶ Read our latest interview
Ina NutShell ConsultingDave Shemmans, Chief Executive"Of course government and legislation has a part to play in shaping a responsible business environment."▶ Read our latest interview
IplicitLyndon Stickley, Chief Executive Officer"In isolation good business sense can be the opposite of responsible."▶ Read our latest interview
Jankel ArmouringAndrew Jankel, Chairman"If you really value your people, you will wish them well if they decide to move on, but we keep an eye on them, and we find a surprising number come back."▶ Read our latest interview
JCC LightingSteve Kirby, Managing Director"Five years ago, sustainability was something companies talked about. Now it's part of every agenda."▶ Read our latest interview
Kenneth Green AssociatesKenneth Green, Chairman"Cashflow management is an intrinsic part of the responsible equation."▶ Read our latest interview
LeMieuxDan Mahoney, Managing Director"How could I run a business in this sector? By wanting to understand the dynamic and lifestyle of our customers."▶ Read our latest interview
LushMark Constantine OBE, Chief ExecutiveIt has to be about having principles and a society that believes in them.
▶ Read our latest interview

MRT CastingsPhil Rawnson, Managing Director"I don't think a responsible business can think short-term when it comes to strategy. Our customer's expectations are driven by their customers’ expectations."▶ Read our latest interview
Partnering HealthRoss Brand, CEO"It shouldn't be a question of purpose over profit, or profit over purpose. It's finding the sweet spot of synchronisation".▶ Read our latest interview
Paultons ParkRichard Mancey, Managing Director"A responsible business will have mechanisms in place both to motivate and to immediately address issues which ould have a negative impact. "▶ Read our latest interview
Peak Analysis and AutomationBryan Draper, Managing Director“A responsible business strives for a win-win.”▶ Read our latest interview
Quantum Electrical DistributionTony Jenner, Managing Director"I suffered from anxiety but I worked for a national wholesaler who gave me the support and guidance to go into management."▶ Read our latest interview
TC Facilities ManagementPeter Ellis, Chief Executive"Simply focusing on the bottom line isn't going to enable a business to be sustainable."▶ Read our latest interview
Teamsport RacingDominic Gaynor, Chief Executive"Being perceived as being a responsible company is becoming much more of a commercial imperative."▶ Read our latest interview
The Caravan and Motorhome clubNick Lomas, Director General"Government should set a minimum standard … it's role is provide the framework and encourage enablement"▶ Read our latest interview
Trant EngineeringGerry Somers, Managing Director"We're seeing a shift of attitude as to what is acceptable behaviour and that includes how a company conducts itself."▶ Read our latest interview
Volution Group PLCRonnie George, Chief Executive Officer“Sustainability comes from wanting to do the right thing…This sense of responsibility drives innovation.”▶ Read our latest interview
What's Possible GroupParry Jones, Deputy Chief Executive"Increasingly, if a business is not aligned with all of its stakeholders, it will have less of a future."▶ Read our latest interview

Key Contacts