OneAdvanced

Developing an authentic ESG strategy from scratch

Strategy and Insights

Strategy Development and Target Setting

The Client

OneAdvanced, a UK-headquartered leading SaaS provider, set out to develop a credible and future-fit ESG strategy that aligned with its purpose of Bettering Society through the power of its people and technology. With growing expectations from customers, employees, and investors, the company recognised the need to move beyond isolated sustainability efforts and build a structured, long-term approach rooted in authenticity and impact. 

The Challenge

Although OneAdvanced had been working on its carbon footprint and many areas of positive social impact, it had not previously developed a formal strategy encompassing all aspects of E, S and G. The challenge was to create a realistic and authentic framework, ensuring it reflected the company’s values, addressed stakeholder expectations, and positioned the business to lead responsibly in its sector. The leadership team wanted a strategy that would be both credible and actionable, with clear priorities and long-term goals. 

The Approach

We partnered with OneAdvanced to co-develop the strategy through a three-phase process: 

  1. Benchmarking
    We began with a detailed review of ESG goals, impacts, and best practices across the industry. This helped identify where OneAdvanced could lead, where it needed to catch up, and how its peers were responding to similar challenges. 
  2. Internal Review
    We assessed OneAdvanced’s existing ESG activities and positioning, identifying strengths to build on and gaps to address. This phase helped establish a clear baseline and ensured the strategy would be grounded in the company’s current reality. 
  3. Double Materiality Audit
    A comprehensive stakeholder listening exercise was conducted, engaging voices from across the business and beyond. This helped surface key Impacts, Risks, and Opportunities (IROs), which were then prioritised and mapped to strategic themes. 

The Deliverables

The result was a focused and authentic ESG strategy, structured around four interconnected themes: environmental responsibility, people and culture, technology for good, and ethical business practices. These themes—later articulated as Better for the Planet, Better for our People, Better Technology, and Better Business—provided a framework for long-term goal setting and performance tracking. 

We had been taking actions to reduce our carbon footprint and create positive social impact for some time. As the business realigned around a new mission and strategy Sophie and the team helped us broaden our thinking and take a more structured approach to ESG. Their support enabled us to align our actions with clear sustainability goals, building a strategy that feels authentic to who we are and enables us to have clear path to the future.

Sally Scott, Director of Marketing and ESG

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