SL25 recognises and celebrates the 25 best projects of steward leadership excellence by for-profit organisations.
Despite more than US$30 trillion in ESG funds, increasing regulation, and a multitude of incentives, why is progress towards environmental and social sustainability still slow? In an era where sustainability is frequently discussed but seldom acted upon with significant impact, Singapore’s Stewardship Asia Centre (SAC) and its partners have embarked on a mission to spotlight businesses leading by example. The third iteration of Steward Leadership 25 (SL25) has officially commenced, aiming to honour projects that embody the essence of steward leadership by merging profitable growth with solutions to some of humanity’s most pressing challenges.
Steward leadership, characterised by a deep-seated commitment to fostering a brighter future for stakeholders, society, future generations, and the environment, is not merely a noble pursuit but a strategic business approach. It seeks to establish a model to marry profit and purpose and achieve prosperity that benefits employees, shareholders, and society, advocating for a balanced approach to growth.
Open to for-profit entities of all sizes and sectors, SL25 invites submissions of projects that have generated positive societal and environmental impacts. The application ends on 15 May 2024. Last year’s cohort showcased a diverse array of projects from 14 countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Mongolia, Australia and many more. These companies operate in sectors ranging from financial services and transportation to food, beverage, and real estate.
The SL25 initiative is a collaborative effort involving SAC, the INSEAD Hoffmann Global Institute for Business and Society, WTW, and The Straits Times.
Rajeev Peshawaria, CEO of SAC, remarked, “By studying global organisations that are doing well by doing good, we learned that champions of the environment and society see themselves as stewards of planet Earth and humanity. They proactively choose to create sustainability-first strategies that align profit with purpose. We at SAC have found champions who are quietly creating a powerful impact on society and the environment through their businesses. SL25 recognises these champions of steward leadership.”
The previous iterations of SL25 have brought to light a variety of impactful projects, and the expectation for 2024 is no different. Annisah Smith, Senior Research & Engagement Manager at SAC, shared her anticipation for the upcoming wave of projects, noting the increasing adoption of steward leadership principles by both large corporations and SMEs across the region. She expressed eagerness to discover the transformative effects these initiatives have had on communities and the wider Asia-Pacific area.
The top 25 projects will be showcased at the Steward Leadership Summit 2024 in Singapore, SAC’s flagship event that convenes business leaders, global experts, and eminent speakers to discuss and promote the concept and practice of steward leadership.
SL25 is also supported by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), The American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Centre for Impact Investing and Practices (CIIP), Family Business Association (Australia & New Zealand), The Family Business Advisors Association Japan (FBAA), Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia (IDCM), Indonesian Institute for Corporate Directorship (IICD), Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise (raiSE), Singapore International Chamber of Commerce (SICC) and UN Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS).
For more information on SL25 and how to apply for the 2024 cycle, scan the QR code below. Applications open now till 15 May 2024.
(https://www.stewardshipcommons.com/sl25/apply)
