The story

Materiality is the process which supports a business to determine the relative importance of Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) issues. It is an evidence-based approach that enables a business to focus time and resource on what really matters, rather than everything all at once. The principle is a vital one in corporate sustainability because it recognises that efforts are more successful when they focus on tackling a smaller number of priority (or material) issues really well, rather than diluting attention and resources by trying to focus on too many things.

Working closely high-profile property developer Berkeley Group at every stage, we supported the company to engage with a diverse range of stakeholders to compete their materiality assessment.

Being careful to match the company’s culture and ethos, we crafted and managed an internal and external survey reaching 1,200 people and conducted a series of in-depth external interviews with key stakeholders and opinion leaders, capturing extensive data and valuable insights.

Using our special methodology, developed to best practice standards, we analysed the results and mapped them against significant risks and opportunities. Our findings of the priority issues were accompanied by a series of strategic recommendations, and enabled Berkeley Group to achieve their ambition of a business vision built around solid, well-reasoned commitments.