Darina Heavey speaks at the 4th Sustainable HRM Leaders Forum
Our colleague Darina Heavey (ESG & Sustainability Consultant) were delighted to be invited to speak at the 4th Sustainable HRM Leaders Forum on the 21st of September.
During her talk, Darina delved into the complex yet fascinating realm of ‘Sustainability at the Heart of Recruitment and Retention’. She highlighted the various challenges and opportunities that arise when a company makes sustainability a central focus of its recruitment efforts.
One of the key points she emphasised was how a company can gain a significant competitive advantage by attracting top talent to its sustainability team and nurture the future generation of ESG and sustainability experts through various setups, such as ESG programmes.
In today’s environmentally conscious world, individuals with expertise in sustainability are in high demand. Darina stressed the importance of not just finding suitable candidates but also creating an environment where they can thrive and contribute to the company’s sustainability goals effectively.
Darina’s insights were extremely helpful as she provided practical advice on what companies should do to stand out and appeal to these highly sought-after candidates. She encouraged businesses to adopt a flexible approach, incorporating sustainability into their core values, and showcasing their commitment to sustainable practices in their recruitment efforts.
Furthermore, Darina didn’t stop at the company’s perspective; she also addressed the traits and characteristics that candidates should possess to ensure a seamless fit within an organisation’s sustainability team. She highlighted the significance of not only technical expertise but also a deep passion for sustainability, adaptability, and the ability to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team. These traits are essential in fostering a culture of sustainability within an organisation and achieving long-term success in sustainable recruitment and retention.
In closing she discussed the efforts made by big corporates as opposed to smaller SMEs. There is a difference, but even smaller companies are becoming more aware and it’s not always the big fancy titles that make a person sustainable aware. Small in-house efforts matter and open up future skill sets that candidates can use when applying for work.
Thank you, Dr. Tara Shine for the invitation, fellow speaker Rebecca Connolly (BD Pharmaceuticals) for her input, and participants for a great Q&A.
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