Tate & Lyle chose not to announce its new purpose internally or externally for two years. Instead, it seeded the concepts through internal communications and a series of“ purpose experiments” in innovation, community projects and sustainability. When the purpose was formally launched in 2018, employees largely responded that it simply articulated what they already felt and saw in their work.
To avoid fragmentation, the company introduced a threepillar framework in 2019:
• Supporting healthy living
• Building thriving communities
• Caring for the planet
“ Strategies come and go, but purpose should stay the same,” Rowan says.“ If it’ s authentic and aligned with values, it becomes part of your DNA.” In a company operating sites in more than 75 countries, purpose is also the common thread uniting employees in São Paulo, Shanghai, Chicago and London.
“ It’ s the culture and values that keep people here, as much as the work itself,” he says. The company’ s evolution from sugar producer to“ sugar reducer” has been underpinned by a consistent desire to do right by investors, customers, communities and the environment.
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