Member Story: Stephanie Taviner, FICRS, Global ESG Manager, Reporting and Engagement, IHG Hotels & Resorts

How did you get into CR&S, and why did you choose this profession?

Growing up in the English countryside instilled in me a passion for nature and the environment, and I had the opportunity to deepen this passion beyond the UK having studied overseas and volunteering for long periods in the developing economies such as Uganda and Sri Lanka. Spending time in rural communities directly exposed me to the issues of climate change, inequalities, and poverty. I always knew that I wanted a career where I could look back and see the impact and difference I had created (no matter how small).

A pivotal moment for me was undertaking a placement year in the technology industry during my International Business Management degree. I spotted a gap in the CSR team which led me to becoming CSR Lead. I built a UK strategy, and managed NGO partnerships and corporate volunteering programmes. I remained in the role on a part time basis during my final year of university which meant I had two years’ experience under my belt before graduating.

A career in CR&S felt like a natural step, but I was eager to explore working in the realm of environmental sustainability where I became a Sustainability Consultant. More recently, I combined my passion for travel and sustainability, by entering the hospitality industry and joining IHG Hotels & Resorts, a FTSE 100 Company with 6000+ hotels globally. I worked in Responsible Procurement (focused on ESG in the supply chain) and as of 2023 I am the Global ESG Manager, Reporting and Engagement which combines the breadth of my ESG experiences.

I completed my MSc in Sustainability & Management in 2022; a part time degree which I completed while working full-time. It was certainly a challenge but well worth it, particularly as my undergraduate degree was more business focused.

What are the most essential skills for working in CRS?

A lot of the work in CRS requires change management, particularly as organisations begin to act and deliver on their strategies and decarbonisation agenda. This needs to be underpinned by strong stakeholder engagement, communication skills and resilience. Whilst the CR/Sustainability team may be leading on the agenda, it requires input from many functional areas such as procurement, finance, operations, risk etc to go on the journey and be a key business partner.

Additionally, as the CRS profession becomes more integrated into business practice, many skills are transferable. For example, non-financial reporting requires the necessary controls and processes aligned to the finance function.

What advice would you give to others on getting into CR&S?

Consider which area of CRS you are most passionate about: is that a specialist area of CRS or more generalist? I would also consider the type of company or industry you want to apply your CRS knowledge to. For me, working at IHG combines both my passion for CRS and an industry I love. I also wanted to experience different areas of CRS eg social impact, environment, sustainable procurement, to help me specialise in reporting across the breath of ESG areas.

Upskilling: If you’re looking to enter CRS or another specialist area in the profession, upskilling (informally or formally) can be a good way to build on your experiences. This could range from attending webinars, to undertaking qualifications or courses. I completed a six-week Circular Economy Course at the University of Exeter and found it hugely beneficial to learn more about how I could apply the principles of the Circular Economy to my role, but also network with other professionals.

Listening to sustainability related podcasts in any spare time is a great way to stay abreast and learn more about challenges and innovations in different industries. A favourite of mine is ‘The Big Green Money Show’ with Deborah Meaden that discusses the impacts of climate change with some of the world’s biggest business names.

Mentoring: Mentoring can be a great way to explore future CRS career paths and avenues. ICRS have a great mentoring scheme (that I’d thoroughly recommend, having been both a mentee and now a mentor) if you are looking for a formal mentoring programme.

The CRS profession are working collaboratively on societal and environmental issues, so leveraging your network to seek mentoring opportunities and support more informally could also be a great avenue to explore.

Go for it and don’t be afraid to try new things! With CRS being such an evolving profession, you will always learn something new.

What makes your sector unique from a CRS perspective?

Covid-19 shook the hospitality industry. International and domestic travel halted, but with experiences and connection at the heart of the industry, it has bounced back with leisure and business travel returning globally. The growth / climate agenda presents risks and opportunities, with the hotel industry accounting for approximately 1% of global carbon emissions, a figure that is set to increase. Guests are also becoming increasingly aware of environmental concerns and expressing a desire to travel more sustainably with higher demand for green hotels. Additionally, protection and preservation is at the centre of the industry’s responsible business activities, ranging from resource use such as waste and water, to preserving natural ecosystems. The industry is also in a unique position to help drive social and economic change, by providing employment to millions around the world and taking action in protecting human rights.

The hotel industry presents a broad range of material, environmental and social issues to consider. With a global presence in over 100 countries, at IHG Hotels & Resorts, we have set out our Journey to Tomorrow 2030 Responsible Business Plan which includes setting a science-based target to reduce our GHG emissions by 46% and improving the lives of 30 million people in our communities around the world.

Anything else you’d like to share?

You can find Stephanie on LinkedIn here.