A group of businesspeople in the town’s network of Chesterfield Champions are joining forces to raise awareness of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) for all companies.

Three local firms – Choice Utility, Green Arch Consulting and Kakou are highlighting the strategic advantages of integrating ESG principles into business plans and processes. They are hoping to spread awareness of the importance of ESG and the impact it could have on the future of small businesses in Chesterfield.

ESG looks at how a business can run more efficiently, more sustainably and be more socially responsible, which will not only help cut costs but allow for longevity, in terms of how the business will be able to prepare for the next 10 years.

This means better financial options going forward, be that from investors, banks and the rest of the customer base.

The three businesses are set to host an awareness event at Chesterfield’s Casa Hotel in April, to ensure firms are well informed about how ESG reporting could affect things in future.

Speakers include:

• Ann Fomukong-Boden, Founding Director of Kakou Technolgies
• Emma Knight-Strong, Director of Green-Arch Consulting
• Dan Molloy, Director of Choice Utility
• Natashia Lee, Managing Director of ESG PRO

Choice Utility’s Dan Molloy said: “Having a detailed report can help improve interest rates offered from financial institutions, improve the overall business value for exit strategies, improve relations with customers and staff to build a company with a sustainable future. With FTSE 100 companies and government institutions making the disclosures in the report integral to winning their business and ongoing tender offers.

“Major UK cities are already building this into their business. Chesterfield businesses will no doubt have already had current clients or potential clients that are asking for more information from their supply chain.

“This is due to changes in government regulations and the need for disclosures up and down the chain. New tendering platforms from the government and the NHS require scope 3 carbon reporting which is the collection of information from the supply chain, this means that contracts and opportunities further down the chain can find themselves in jeopardy by not having this information.

“ESG reporting will inevitably become increasingly more integral to these regulations so it’s imperative businesses are equipped with the information in order to not lose out on millions in potential revenue.

“Ultimately businesses across Chesterfield and Derbyshire are already doing incredible work, likely already doing a lot that once reported correctly can become a fantastic foundation for their ESG principles.”

Ann Fomukong-Boden, Founding Director of Kakou Technologies, added: “A sustainability-focused culture starts with leadership commitment, employee engagement, and clear goals. A step-by-step approach ensures lasting change without overwhelming resources, making sustainability a shared responsibility and an integral part of business operations for long-term success.”

Emma Knight-Strong, Director of Green Arch Consulting said: “ESG is no longer optional—it’s a business imperative. Fostering a deeper understanding of business operations enables decision-makers to identify future risks and opportunities with greater clarity, while transparency fosters trust and drives long-term value. Sustainable business is smart business.”

Find out more about the event and book your place: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/the-esg-advantage/