With disruption comes new challenges — but also new opportunities. Through the waves of the pandemic and beyond, companies need to be prepared to navigate an evolving business landscape and capture new and transformational opportunities. This series features key practical insights intended to strengthen your organization's capacity to adapt and thrive.
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SPECIAL EDITION | Part 2 of 2: Road to COP26
Exploring the Rise, Risks & Opportunities Around Carbon Offsets
Our COP26 mini-series focuses on key topics in the lead up to the UN's 2021 climate change conference. Many companies have pledged to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 or earlier. However, to achieve this will require the use of carbon offsets where they are unable to eliminate or reduce emissions in their own operations or supply chains. As the development of voluntary carbon markets, which is happening at a varying pace across the globe, becomes an important aspect in the "race to zero," our experts discuss what risks and opportunities this brings for the private sector.
Guests: Ilona Millar (Partner, Sydney), Graham Stuart (Partner, London), Jeff Swartz (Director, Climate, Strategy & Sustainability, bp)
For related insights, we encourage you to visit our COP26 Hub.
SPECIAL EDITION | Part 1 of 2: Road to COP26
Managing Corporate Risk Through Climate Governance
Our COP26 mini-series focuses on key topics in the lead up to the UN's 2021 climate change conference. ESG is now firmly on most corporate and investor agendas, as well as on that of many regulators. In part 1, we explore the increase in both mandatory obligations and voluntary commitments, as global organizations recognize the urgency around corporate climate responsibility. Our experts consider what implications this has for corporate governance, and what measures global organizations can take to improve governance, manage risk and contribute to positive change.
Guests: Bea Araujo (Partner, London), David Hackett (Partner, Chicago) and Karina Litvack (Independent Non-executive Director, ENI)
For related insights, we encourage you to visit our COP26 Hub.
Episode 14: The Future of Work: Renewal Strategies for a Transformed Workforce
Baker McKenzie recently held FutureWorks, a virtual conversation series featuring leaders from some of the most innovative companies discussing how global employers can embrace the large-scale trends changing the nature of work amid major disruption. From integrating resilience into your workforce strategy to harnessing the power of inclusion, we share some key takeaways and practical action points gleaned across these sessions.
For more information on renewal strategies for a transformed workforce, we welcome you to visit our Workforce Redesign hub.
Guests: Anna Brown (Chief Inclusion & Diversity Officer) and Michael Brewer (Global Employment & Compensation Group chair)
Episode 13: The Future of Industrials: Predict the Future by Inventing It
Industrials have faced massive disruption and falling demand brought on by the immediate impacts of COVID-19. However, from digital transformation to disruption-proofing supply chains, the pandemic has accelerated the need to take bold action in order to thrive in the long-term. In this episode, our legal experts discuss the priorities and challenges of manufacturers as they look to adapt to new markets and reposition themselves for the future — by bold invention they can better invent their own futures.
For related insights, read our new report, A License to be Bold: Transforming Industrials.
Guests: Nick Cranfield (Global Director of Legal Operations, Dyson), Sunny Mann (Partner, London), Jannan Crozier (Partner, London)
Episode 12: Biden & Brexit: How Shifting Geopolitics Will Influence the Global Economy
2020 was a tumultuous year across the globe, with the COVID-19 pandemic turning the global economy on its head and forcing businesses to quickly adapt to a shifting landscape. Now that we have entered 2021, there are still many more changes in store as a new US presidential administration begins and the EU and UK feels the impacts of Brexit. In this episode, our experts look at what impact these two significant pivots for both the US and UK will have on the future of business in an already changing world.
For Related Insights we also invite you to read our Future of Supply Chain in the Americas report, released in partnership with the Atlantic Council and visit our Brexit Hub.
Guests: Jennifer Trock (Chair of the North America International Commercial Practice Group and Chair of the Global Aviation Group), Jenny Revis (Partner, London) and Jason Marczak (Director, the Atlantic Council's Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center in Washington, DC)
Episode 11: How Green is Green? The Growth of Sustainable Investment Products
As companies look to build resilience and recovery in the aftermath of the pandemic, the focus on Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) has accelerated on a global scale. How is the growth of green investment products taking shape? Our experts will take a closer look at the state of sustainable finance and what is working around the globe.
Guests: Paul Stanley (Senior Manager, Corporate Sustainability, HSBC) and from Baker McKenzie Adam Farlow (Head of ESG Debt and Equity), Caitlin McErlane (Partner) and Andrew Sagor (Head of Responsible Investment)
Episode 10: The Acceleration of Innovation in Healthcare: The Rise of Digital Health Services
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the need for transformation and innovation across all sectors, but particularly the healthcare industry. Though the existence of telehealth and other digital health services are not new, the pandemic has altered the way healthcare is being delivered and accelerated the adoption of these technologies. In this episode, our experts discuss the critical nature of fostering innovation and the role that both government and the business community play, with a special focus on the healthcare industry and the rise of digital health services.
We also invite you to join Baker McKenzie's healthcare and life sciences Webinar Series and new podcast series, Health Pod, covering a number of different global trends in the industry.
Guests: Veleka Peeples-Dyer (Partner and Chair of the North America Food and Drug Administration Practice Group) and Vanina Caniza (Partner and the Global Chair of the Healthcare & Life Sciences Group)
Episode 9: The Reopening Playbook Revisited: Building a New Workforce Reality
In a follow up to June's Reopening Playbook episode, we take an updated look at the reopening landscape. As many businesses have since initiated phased reopenings, additional challenges have arisen for employers, who are navigating changing laws, potential litigation and realigning business needs, all in a wildly unpredictable environment. Additionally, as remote operations have become the evolving norm where possible, what will be the long-term impact of this shift on business operations and culture?
Guests: Susan Eandi (Partner, Palo Alto) and Kim Sartin (Partner, London)
Episode 8: Diversifying Supply Chains in Asia Pacific and Beyond
In a follow up to the Shock Proofing Supply Chains episode, we examine how companies are seeking to strengthen and transform their supply chains through diversifying their operations across Asia Pacific and beyond. Find out how businesses are navigating the shifting landscape of global trade wars and government interventions as well as investment and financing trends. This episode includes insights and analyses from our Supply Chains Reimagined: Recovery and Renewal in Asia Pacific and Beyond report, produced in conjunction with Silk Road Associates.
Guests: Guests: Anne Petterd (Partner, and International Commercial & Trade global steering committee lead for Asia Pacific) and Ben Simpfendorfer (Founder & CEO, Silk Road Associates)
Episode 7: Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) Strategy as a Driver of Growth and Value
As companies look to build resilience and seek recovery in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus on Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) has accelerated on a global scale. In this episode, our experts discuss what companies are doing to drive growth through ESG and sustainable investments and how it is creating long-term value for companies.
For related insights, visit our Sustainable Finance page. You can also view BlackRock's 2020 letter to CEOs here.
Guests: Gabriel Hasson (Vice President of the Americas for BlackRock's Investment Stewardship Group), Paul Curnow (Partner, Head of Sustainable Finance) and Ilona Millar (Partner, Head of Climate and ESG Risk Advisory)
Episode 6: The Shifting Investment Landscape During COVID-19
The last economic crisis triggered a record amount of deal making, but how does the current landscape differ from 2008? In this episode, we will look at what to expect from the global M&A landscape, tightening regulations and what potential buyers need to know before making a strategic investment in a distressed company.
For related insights, visit our Cross-Border M&A Resource Center or read our Opportunities in Distressed M&A report
Guests: Lisa M. Schineller (Managing Director & Lead Analyst, Sovereign & International Public Finance Ratings, S&P Global Ratings), Mike DeFranco (Partner, Chair of Global M&A) and Anna Tavares de Mello (Partner and Head of M&A for Latin America, Trench, Rossi e Watanabe)
Episode 5: Considerations for Corporate Boards During a Pandemic
During a crisis, companies are forced to react swiftly to disruption, but ill-thought decisions meant to mitigate short-term problems can have profoundly negative impacts for companies in the long-term. This episode will discuss what corporate boards should be thinking about now to evolve in this new era accelerated by COVID-19.
For related insights, visit the 2020 Global Restructuring & Insolvency Guide and our Trust Continuum Hub
Guests: Deb Dandeneau (Partner, Chair of the Global Restructuring and Insolvency Group), Kumar Ponniya (Partner, Singapore), and Bea Araujo (Partner, London)
Episode 4: The Role of Government Interventions on Business Survival and Revival
The significant economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic require rapid and efficient responses from governments, but how has the approach varied across the globe? In this episode, we discuss the various measures that governments have taken to support the business community in relation to foreign investment restrictions, debt, equity and taxation and the crucial role that these interventions play in both business survival and revival.
For related insights, view the Government Intervention Schemes Hub
Episode 3: Diversity, Inclusion and the Great Pandemic
In this episode, we take a closer look at how COVID-19 has magnified workplace vulnerabilities related to D&I and how companies can strive to do better through business recovery and renewal.
Guests: Anna Brown (Baker McKenzie's Director of Global Diversity & Inclusion), Sunny Mann (Partner, London and member of the Global Diversity & Inclusion Committee) and Jean Lee (President and CEO of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, a national organization focused on hiring, promoting and retaining women and diverse attorneys and former Assistant General Counsel at JP Morgan Chase)Episode 2: Shock Proofing Supply Chains
COVID-19 has exposed the weaknesses in how businesses manage their global supply chains. In this episode, our experts discuss lessons learned on mitigating this disruption and tips on how to build a more resilient supply chain in the long term.
Guests: Mattias Hedwall (Partner, Global Chair of the International Commercial & Trade Group) and Christina Conlin (Partner, Chicago and former chief compliance officer for McDonald's Corporation's European operations)
Episode 1: The Reopening Playbook
As some countries begin to ease restrictions and attempt to resume normalcy, businesses are considering not only how to bring employees safely back to the office but what the future of work will look like. In this episode, we share some lessons from countries who are ahead of the curve on how to make key decisions about reopening and highlight steps for reimagining business operations, in light of the current landscape.
Guests: Susan Eandi (Partner, Palo Alto) and Kim Sartin (Partner, London)Looking for more information?
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