“ comes to life”PurPle – The Science of Why”, the first ESG competence hub that supports companies and institutions in analysing, measuring and defining sustainability and reputation strategies.
The Centre of Excellence was established on the initiative of Community and brings together the combined resources and expertise of leading companies in their respective sectors: BDO Italy, one of the leading international consultancy and audit firms specialising in the implementation of integrated sustainability plans, Reputation Manager, Italy’s leading company specialising in the analysis and building of big data-driven online reputations, Reputation Science, the first Italian company capable of managing reputation in a scientific and integrated manner and Serviceplan Group, the largest and most diverse independent communications network in Europe.
PurPle, whose name is derived from the combination of ‘Purpose’ and ‘People’, will guide businesses and other organisations in developing and communicating sustainability-focused business strategies, starting precisely with ‘Purpose’ – the aim and ‘raison d’être’ that stems from the company’s values and history – and with people, who must be at the heart of any truly sustainable strategy. The partnership’s tagline also reflects this focus on purpose: ‘The Science of Why’ represents the scientific, consultative and measurable approach to ESG that PurPle offers.
This innovative initiative, which combines the expertise of the five companies and brings together leading professionals in sustainability and responsible management, aims to offer businesses support in developing comprehensive sustainability projects, thanks to a network of partners who will make their specific expertise available. PurPle is an evolving platform, open to new partners, with a view to expanding its range of services: from identifying sustainability-related risks and opportunities, through to the design and development of sustainability policies and operational plans, right through to the conception and implementation of integrated communication plans. In particular, the new organisation will provide multidisciplinary services such as the design of assessment plans, the definition of ESG-compliant strategies, the drafting of sustainability reports and communication plans, as well as accountability, stakeholder engagement, legal advice, governance, the development of corporate welfare schemes, creative campaigns and reputation management activities.
It is becoming increasingly clear that the path to sustainability is not only the right choice to make, but also what a growing number of consumers and investors are demanding. This is particularly true at this historic moment, when the Green Deal is transforming sustainability management from voluntary to mandatory. In Italy, there are various organisations operating in the field of sustainability and reputation consultancy; however, there is a lack of a ‘one-stop shop’ capable of offering a comprehensive range of relevant services; BDO Italia, Community, Reputation Manager, Reputation Science and Serviceplan Group have sought to address this need by launching the new platform.
Auro Palomba, Chairman and founder of Community, commented: “Compliance with ESG criteria is essential for any company or institution wishing to remain in the market. Many of them, however, do not know how to tackle this urgent transformation and therefore require integrated expertise. For this reason, together with BDO, Reputation Manager, Reputation Science and Serviceplan Group, we have decided to launch PurPle. The aim of this project is to bring together consultants who can make a difference at various stages of a company’s life cycle, to guide them into this new frontier in a structured and strategic manner.”
