Speaking on Monday (21 May) at a print industry seminar on corporate social responsibility (CSR), which was organised by Solihull-based print management firm Etrinsic, Hodge said money could be made from improving a company’s corporate social responsibility agenda.
Hodge told the audience: “A company that has regard for the environment will enhance its brand image.
This can improve the market share and therefore profitability.
“Expectation in the 21st century is more than just business as usual. Demonstrating corporate social respon-
sibility and making money are not contradictory aims.”
Hodge added that, at this point in time, environmental image was the leading driver in corporate social responsibility. But she said that CSR had been around for a lot longer under different guises. “30 years ago it was equal opportunities”, she said.
The minister also claimed that it was not the place of the government to force CSR upon the industry. Instead a framework will be put in place for firms to work around.
“Our task is to simply put in place a framework of accountability and encourage social change. It is your customers in the end that will force the move.”
Also speaking at the event were consultant Clare Taylor, WRAP’s Jonathan Tame, Tim Barker from Robert Horne Paper and Etrinsic’s Matt Bird and Simon Dipple.
Hodge: print can profit from social conscience
Margaret Hodge, the minister of state for industry and the regions, has called for the print industry to step up its environmental credentials and improve profits at the same time.
