ICRS extends membership for UK organisations

Less than six months after its launch, the Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (ICRS) is widening its focus to incorporate groups of individuals who are leading change within UK organisations.


The Institute, which was previously solely focused on supporting individuals within corporations, will be welcoming organisational members from January 2015; covering all employees within an organisation rather than just CR professionals within corporations.

“The ICRS was the brainchild of the Corporate Responsibility Group (CRG), which has been supporting and challenging member companies for more than 25 years,” said ICRS chair Claudine Blamey. “In designing the new organisational offer, we’ve had a lot of learning to draw from in terms of what we know works for our members.

“Our vision is of a world where all organisations operate responsibly and sustainably, but that vision cannot be achieved unless access to the learning, networking and collaboration opportunities offered by organisations like the ICRS is open to everybody.”

Positive difference

With more than 4,000 CR and sustainability professionals in the UK along with 25,000 people with a significant work-related interest in this area, the ICRS was established in July 2014 as the UK’s first professional body for everyone working in corporate responsibility and sustainability. The not-for-profit organisation aims ‘to help people to be brilliant in their work so that they can make a positive difference to society and our planet’. 

While membership was previously restricted to corporations, the ICRS will be open to all organisations that satisfy the Institute’s criteria and agree to abide by the principles of membership. Organisational membership costs £2,300 (+VAT), covering all employees within that organisation. Affiliate membership remains open to anyone with an interest in CR and sustainability.

Organisational members will be able to grow their network and find out how others are tackling critical challenges through a programme of monthly events, including events designed specifically for senior leaders.

Welcoming the change, ICRS organisational member and head of community affairs at PwC, David Adair said: “PwC has long recognised and been an advocate for the benefits of cross collaboration and I’m delighted that the ICRS has increased the diversity of member organisations. It will add a welcome new dimension to the sector and reinforce the important point that sustainability isn’t just an issue for large corporations.”

ICRS chair Claudine Blamey is a regular expert blogger for edie. Read the ICRS blog here.

Luke Nicholls

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