HSBC financing can have , particularly in some of the developing countries where we ' re really on the ground and helping serve people . In countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh , we have a powerful banking presence there that can change lives . So that ' s a little bit of what I try to capitalise on from a sustainability perspective .”
Times have certainly changed in what the business world used to call Corporate Social Responsibility – an umbrella term that essentially covered any activities firms became involved in ‘ doing good ’.
Fisher says that with some notable exceptions , many companies used CSR almost as an apology for how things were being done , giving away millions of dollars to cover up how they were operating as a business in certain countries and communities .
“ I think because of social media , because of consumer activism , because of investor activism , that ' s not permitted anymore ,” she says . “ What I see is the role of a corporate philanthropist as an apology or cover up is almost completely eradicated at leading companies . And now the first and foremost attention is how that company operates .”
In the six years that Fisher has been at HSBC , she has seen the financial giant transition , even though HSBC was
1965 Year HSBC was founded
64 Number of countries HSBC operates in
226,000 Number of HSBC employees globally
EXECUTIVE BIO
KELLY FISHER
TITLE : HEAD OF CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY
COMPANY : HSBC BANK LOCATION : USA
As a corporate social responsibility , inclusion , and sustainability advocate , Kelly has dedicated her career to helping companies strive for responsibility , generosity and inclusion . The goal ? To have a tremendous impact on communities , employees and clients , while improving corporate reputation and consumer engagement . Now Kelly is helping to embed sustainability into the work of one of the world ’ s leading banks with the goal of helping the company and its clients to transition to a low carbon economy .
sustainabilitymag . com 47