Beyond the profits: Roberta Lepre on the evolution of sustainability in business leadership

Roberta Lepre, with her extensive experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors, and as the Founder and Lead Consultant at Weave Consulting, asserts, “sustainability is a multifaceted term that enables businesses to think beyond immediate, short-term gains, and helps them meet the needs and expectations of all relevant stakeholders.” Her consultancy is pivotal in integrating environmental and social considerations into business models, guiding companies towards a sustainable future.

Roberta elaborates, “it requires a shift in mindset – which in turn brings about change and innovation.” This reflects her belief in the transformative power of sustainability in business. “The benefits of adopting such a ‘new way’ of doing business translate into cost savings, employee retention, client attraction, and the development of new products, processes and services,” she emphasises.

Discussing strategies for sustainable profitability, Roberta advises, “first of all, businesses, both large and small, should build the capacity of their teams.” This approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of sustainability’s benefits and the recognition of the costs that will arise if they choose to carry on with an unsustainable approach. “There are various ‘low-hanging fruits’ that can be implemented. These include shifting to renewable energy sources, reducing commuting by offering remote or hybrid working options, investing in the well-being and professional development of employees, and improving governance structures, including by being more proactive in creating a diverse and inclusive workforce.”

When it comes to the challenge of integrating sustainability into business, Roberta believes that one of the main problems is the sense of overwhelm that comes with it. Her consultancy addresses this through the EASI (Educate-Assess-StrategiseImplement) process, which simplifies the transition. She notes the emerging trend of ESG reporting as crucial for 2024, stating, “businesses, both large and small, are being expected to become more transparent when it comes to their impact.”

For those seeking to make lasting sustainable change, her top tip is profound: “move away from sustainability as a ‘compliance’ issue and really understand the opportunities that can arise when businesses operate with an underlying sense of purpose.”

This feature was first carried on the 2024 edition of the annual print publication MaltaCEOs, the sister brand to MaltaCEOs.mt, both produced by Content House Group.