MHA responds to growing need for specialist support with new ESG consultancy service

Accountancy and advisory firm MHA has launched a dedicated service to help SME businesses implement and evidence Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) activity.

The new ESG assessment programme, named Activate, is designed to help businesses identify, plan and take meaningful ESG actions, such as improving sustainability, better employment practices, staff engagement, ethical supply chain management, social value and community engagement activity.  

MHA, the UK representative firm of Baker Tilly International, has launched the service after its own research showed businesses were making ESG activity and reporting a growing priority, but many don’t know how to go about formalising an ESG strategy.

The firm’s recent survey of more than 1,000 manufacturing businesses found 46 per cent of companies are choosing to partner with sustainable suppliers, 45 per cent are reducing energy consumption, and 44 per cent are adopting renewable energy sources. 55 per cent said they would be increasing investment in R&D with a view to improving processes and adopting new technologies.

The Activate service, which is compliant with globally recognised ESG frameworks, is delivered through both a digital assessment and follow-on consultancy, enabling clients to create a structured and easy-to-follow plan, backed by expert insights and ongoing support. It is aimed primarily at businesses starting their ESG journey or looking to refresh their approach.

Mark Lumsdon-Taylor, executive development and sustainability lead at MHA, said: “Whether it’s attracting talent, meeting the demands of larger customers, or securing investment, businesses know they can longer shy away from the need to take a proactive approach on ESG issues, and our research highlights companies are taking proactive steps to address this.

“While many of our clients are well on their way with ESG, others are at the beginning of their journey and some simply don’t know where to start. Our Activate service is designed to cut through the complexity and give businesses the confidence to turn ESG ambition into reality.

“Activate will be a valuable addition to our support for clients because it allows us to work directly with them to build a robust ESG strategy that aligns with their business goals, stakeholder expectations and reporting needs.”

Exclusive to MHA, the Activate service leads businesses through a structured assessment to provide a concise summary of their ESG status, pinpointing gaps, and delivering tailored, actionable recommendations.

The service is backed by software that’s compliant with all international reporting standards, including Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and EU Taxonomy.

Mark added: “Activate has been shaped in part by our own ESG journey over recent years and the transformative impact that a coherent strategy can have on organisations, people and communities.

“It can help companies to ensure their ESG programme is bought into at every level, including staff, supply chain and stakeholders. The ongoing monitoring means businesses can account for changes in legislation and evolve their ESG strategy accordingly. It’s about driving positive change today and future proofing the business for tomorrow.”