Expertise

An interview with
Shauna Young
Founder of Responsible Solutions

Expertise

Let's dive right in. Can you tell us about your journey and what inspired you to establish Responsible Solutions?

Absolutely. My journey into responsible business practices began when I first entered the finance industry after I graduated. As I progressed in my career, I became increasingly aware of the significant impact that businesses have not only on the economy but also on the environment, society, through their governance practices.

With over 20 years of experience as a Responsible Business Manager and a Chartered Construction Manager, I've seen first-hand the transformative power of sustainability in driving business success.

My educational background in Business, Finance & Investment, coupled with a passion for sustainability, propelled me to establish Responsible Solutions. I wanted to create a consultancy firm that not only champions ESG principles but also guides organisations in implementing them effectively.

With over two decades of experience in both finance and construction, what insights or benefits has this provided you?

Having worked in both sectors, I possess a comprehensive understanding of financial management, as well as non-financial value reporting. One of the key benefits of my background is the ability to navigate and interpret a wide range of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards. Throughout my career, I have successfully developed, overseen, evaluated, and reported on over 35 different standards and frameworks.

These include the UK Social Value Model Award Criteria (MACs), Northern Ireland's Buy Social, the Welsh Toolkit, National TOMS, Scottish Community Benefits, and the Town & Country Planning Act Section 106, among others. Additionally, I have experience with SERC and TCRD non-financial climate reporting in annual accounts.

This breadth of experience enables me to provide tailored guidance to organisations seeking to align with various ESG frameworks and standards.

Your expertise is truly impressive. How do you integrate ESG principles into business operations, and what sets Responsible Solutions apart?

At Responsible Solutions, we believe in a materiality approach to sustainability. We focus on the key elements that significantly influence your operations and delivery a responsible business solution.

Drawing upon my background in quantity surveying and supply chain management, we leverage procurement to drive sustainability and support ethical operations.

What sets us apart is our commitment to transparent reporting and accountability. We ensure that our clients meet non-financial regulatory requirements. Through our expertise and guidance, we help organisations navigate the complexities of ESG and integrate these principles into their operations, positioning them for growth.

Your dedication has earned you numerous accolades and recognition. Can you share some highlights of your achievements?

I've been fortunate to be recognised for my work in corporate responsibility, including being a finalist at the European Woman in Construction and Engineering awards. Additionally, supporting organisations to receive accolades such as the BITC Most Responsible Business, Investors in People Employer of the Year (Platinum), RICS Social Value Award, Most Considerate Contractor and Leading Lights for community, procurement, and environmental responsibility at CCS The National Site Awards.

These awards serve as a testament to the dedication of the organisations I collaborate with towards responsible governance.

The companies you have collaborated with have also gained recognition and won awards through the support you provided. How was this accomplished?

Recognition for best practice is always rewarding however, my primary focus remains on supporting organisations in implementing strategies, policies, and processes aligned with international standards such as ISO 26000 Social Responsibility and ISO 20400 Sustainable Procurement. My expertise in aligning operations with international standards ensures that these organisations not only meet regulatory requirements but also excel in demonstrating their commitment to sustainability and social impact.

This approach has led to the organisations I work with achieving prestigious responsible business accreditations, including BTIC CORE, BITC Business Tracker (UK), MSAT, Evergreen, and EcoVadis, among others.

Lastly, what's next for Responsible Solutions, and how can your team help organisations?

Moving forward, our purpose is to create value for our clients. Empowering businesses to embrace sustainable practices and achieve environmental, social, economic and governance (ESEG) excellence. We believe that by embracing sustainability, businesses can not only contribute to a better future but also enhance their own long-term success.

We welcome organisations who share our vision to join us on this journey.

Our solution

We specialise in guiding companies through the complexities of ESG compliance and communication, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.

ImpactEdge is our dedicated social value consulting service. We offer short-term consulting and hands-on social value services tailored for small businesses or single projects.

Get in touch

info@responsiblesolutions.co.uk

Email

An interview with Responsible Solutions founder Shauna Young

Let's dive right in. Can you tell us about your journey and what inspired you to establish Responsible Solutions?

Absolutely. My journey into responsible business practices began when I first entered the finance industry after I graduated. As I progressed in my career, I became increasingly aware of the significant impact that businesses have not only on the economy but also on the environment, society, through their governance practices.

With over 20 years of experience as a Responsible Business Manager and a Chartered Construction Manager, I've seen first-hand the transformative power of sustainability in driving business success.

My educational background in Business, Finance & Investment, coupled with a passion for sustainability, propelled me to establish Responsible Solutions. I wanted to create a consultancy firm that not only champions ESG principles but also guides organisations in implementing them effectively.

With over two decades of experience in both finance and construction, what insights or benefits has this provided you?

Having worked in both sectors, I possess a comprehensive understanding of financial management, as well as non-financial value reporting. One of the key benefits of my background is the ability to navigate and interpret a wide range of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards. Throughout my career, I have successfully developed, overseen, evaluated, and reported on over 35 different standards and frameworks.

These include the UK Social Value Model Award Criteria (MACs), Northern Ireland's Buy Social, the Welsh Toolkit, National TOMS, Scottish Community Benefits, and the Town & Country Planning Act Section 106, among others. Additionally, I have experience with SERC and TCRD non-financial climate reporting in annual accounts.

This breadth of experience enables me to provide tailored guidance to organisations seeking to align with various ESG frameworks and standards.

Your expertise is truly impressive. How do you integrate ESG principles into business operations, and what sets Responsible Solutions apart?

At Responsible Solutions, we believe in a materiality approach to sustainability. We focus on the key elements that significantly influence your operations and delivery a responsible business solution.

Drawing upon my background in quantity surveying and supply chain management, we leverage procurement to drive sustainability and support ethical operations.

What sets us apart is our commitment to transparent reporting and accountability. We ensure that our clients meet non-financial regulatory requirements. Through our expertise and guidance, we help organisations navigate the complexities of ESG and integrate these principles into their operations, positioning them for growth.

Your dedication has earned you numerous accolades and recognition. Can you share some highlights of your achievements?

I've been fortunate to be recognised for my work in corporate responsibility, including being a finalist at the European Woman in Construction and Engineering awards. Additionally, supporting organisations to receive accolades such as the BITC Most Responsible Business, Investors in People Employer of the Year (Platinum), RICS Social Value Award, Most Considerate Contractor and Leading Lights for community, procurement, and environmental responsibility at CCS The National Site Awards.

These awards serve as a testament to the dedication of the organisations I collaborate with towards responsible governance.

The companies you have collaborated with have also gained recognition and won awards through the support you provided. How was this accomplished?

Recognition for best practice is always rewarding however, my primary focus remains on supporting organisations in implementing strategies, policies, and processes aligned with international standards such as ISO 26000 Social Responsibility and ISO 20400 Sustainable Procurement. My expertise in aligning operations with international standards ensures that these organisations not only meet regulatory requirements but also excel in demonstrating their commitment to sustainability and social impact.

This approach has led to the organisations I work with achieving prestigious responsible business accreditations, including BTIC CORE, BITC Business Tracker (UK), MSAT, Evergreen, and EcoVadis, among others.

Lastly, what's next for Responsible Solutions, and how can your team help organisations?

Moving forward, our purpose is to create value for our clients. Empowering businesses to embrace sustainable practices and achieve environmental, social, economic and governance (ESEG) excellence. We believe that by embracing sustainability, businesses can not only contribute to a better future but also enhance their own long-term success.

We welcome organisations who share our vision to join us on this journey.

Our solution

We specialise in guiding companies through the complexities of ESG compliance and communication, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.

ImpactEdge is our dedicated social value consulting service. We offer short-term consulting and hands-on social value services tailored for small businesses or single projects.

Shauna Young, Founder of Responsible Solutions

Our purpose is create value through impactful management and sustainable reporting for our clients.

Empowering businesses to embrace sustainable practices and achieve environmental, social, economic and governance (ESEG) excellence.

We are dedicated to creating value for our clients by implementing effective management strategies and providing comprehensive and sustainable reporting. Our main goal is to empower businesses to adopt sustainable practices and achieve excellence in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) areas. Through our expertise and guidance, we help organizations navigate the complexities of ESG and integrate these principles into their operations. We believe that by embracing sustainability, businesses can not only contribute to a better future but also enhance their own long-term success. Our team is committed to assisting our clients in becoming leaders in their industries and making a positive impact on society and the environment.

"There is no one-size-fits-all method to measure our environmental, social or economic impact. Rather, we need to look at a mix of indicators, both financial and non-financial, tangible and intangible, that are material to our operatins and opjecttives . This way, we can meet our business needs, optimise outcomes, better understand and communicate how we are creating value for our stakeholders and the planet."

Get in touch

info@responsiblesolutions.co.uk

Email