At Core3, we’re passionate about connecting people with meaningful careers, especially in sustainability-focused roles. In the latest episode of The Conscious Finance Podcast, Sophie Bailey, ESG Advisory Director at Deloitte, joined us to talk about her career and all things finance and ESG.
Sophie’s journey from finance to sustainability is nothing short of inspiring, filled with valuable lessons for anyone aspiring to work in this evolving field.
Sophie’s passion for sustainability started early while still at school. She loved geography and was fascinated by how businesses operate. Her determination to make a difference led her to email the Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Tesco. That bold move resulted in a three-year internship with Tesco’s climate change team.
This early experience shaped her understanding of how businesses can drive sustainability. As Sophie shared, one pivotal conversation with Tesco’s Head of Sustainability drove the point home: “If we want to survive another 150 years, we need to tackle this.” It’s a lesson many companies would do well to remember.
Transitioning to ESG
After completing her degree, although Sophie had the chance to study for a PhD, she joined KPMG to pursue her ACA qualification, recognising the value of understanding finance in driving sustainability initiatives. But she didn’t stop there. Sophie proactively sought out opportunities in sustainability within the firm, eventually securing a secondment into their Sustainability Assurance team.
In this role, Sophie worked on verifying sustainability data and developing strategies that bridged finance and ESG. Her persistence and passion helped her carve a unique path, proving that you can integrate sustainability into a traditional finance career with determination and the right mindset.
Now, at Deloitte, Sophie’s work is more strategic. She helps organisations develop actionable sustainability strategies, build robust data systems, and ensure transparent reporting. Her career shift is a great example of how ESG is becoming integral to all areas of business and finance.
What can you learn from Sophie’s Journey?
Sophie’s career is packed with lessons for anyone looking to explore sustainability within finance. Here are some of the takeaways that stood out to us.
Be Proactive
Don’t be afraid of people saying no. Sophie explains that proactivity and persistence in a wholesome and good way will pay off. The other thing that Sophie’s journey highlights is the importance of showing interest and asking questions. Curiosity creates possibilities and opportunities.
Embrace Failure
The old saying, “Fail fast, learn fast” is something that resonates with Sophie. She explained that it’s okay to try things and fail as long as you learn from them. It was this mindset that helped her navigate uncharted territory in the early days of ESG and push through challenges.
Collaborate and Adapt
Sustainability is a constantly evolving field that requires logical thinking, teamwork, and adaptability to navigate new regulations and challenges. If you’re able to collaborate, be dynamic, and adaptable then you have the skill set to be successful in this field.
Help Diversify the Workforce
Diversity plays a crucial role in ESG success. A team with varied perspectives enriches decision-making and allows organisations to consider sustainability beyond financial outcomes. If you can be an employee who is passionate about ESG and align your personal values with business objectives then you can help spark innovation and make improvements.
Communicate with Authenticity
Effective communication is critical for ESG success. Authentic storytelling creates trust and strengthens relationships with stakeholders. Explaining what you’re doing is great, but telling the why and what difference you can make is even better. You must avoid greenwashing at all costs, though, it can seriously damage credibility.
Sophie talks about another Tesco example, where the supermarket donates surplus food to local charities. While Tesco doesn’t heavily publicise this initiative, it resonates deeply with employees and customers alike. The quiet integrity of such efforts demonstrates they are doing it for their communities, their employees, and the planet.
Sophie’s career demonstrates how financial expertise can amplify the impact of sustainability initiatives. The examples of persistence, collaboration, and a willingness to embrace failure provide actionable insight for anyone looking to build an impactful and meaningful career like Sophie.
Watch the full episode
We explored so much more with Sophie, discussing things like the incoming Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and what it means for EU and UK businesses over the next few years. We also asked Sophie what she thinks the future of the finance department looks like and what advice she has for businesses starting out on their sustainability journey.
Check out the full episode to get the full insight: Sustainability Meets Finance – Sophie Bailey – Deloitte
At Core3, we’re proud to support professionals and businesses in making sustainability a core part of their mission. If you’re looking for a career in sustainable finance or want to build a purpose-driven team, we’re here to help.
