SUSTAINABILITY
Ethical sourcing is no longer a tick-box exercise buried in procurement departments. As regulatory pressures mount and stakeholder expectations intensify, organisations are recognising that responsible supply chain management is fundamental to business resilience, reputation and long-term value creation.
The question is no longer whether to prioritise ethical sourcing, but how to operationalise it at scale and integrate it into core business strategy.
From compliance to value driver The transformation begins with reframing how leadership views ethical sourcing. Benjamin Oswin, Head of Responsible Procurement at Accenture, emphasises the need for a fundamental shift in perspective.
“ We help clients position ethical sourcing as a value driver, not a compliance exercise,” he explains.
“ We support leadership in articulating the 360 ° value case, linking responsible procurement to brand reputation, resilience, investor confidence and talent attraction.”
This strategic repositioning requires connecting ethical sourcing to the priorities that resonate in the boardroom. By aligning procurement with corporate sustainability goals and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, organisations can demonstrate how responsible sourcing serves as“ a lever for net zero, circularity and trust,” as Benjamin puts it.
“ We help clients position ethical sourcing as a value driver, not a compliance exercise”
Benjamin Oswin, Head of Responsible Procurement, Accenture
Executive workshops and C-suite sponsorship ensure that ethical sourcing becomes embedded in governance structures and longterm planning rather than remaining a peripheral concern.
Patagonia: The right thing for the planet Patagonia is widely regarded as one of the more ethical and transparent brands. Founded in 1973, the company prioritises responsible sourcing, using recycled materials and organic fabrics in its products.
Patagonia’ s mission is to“ save our home planet,” emphasising the need to reduce environmental impact and promote social responsibility.
Over the years, it has made a number of efforts such as using materials that caused less harm to the environment, giving away 1 % of sales each year, becoming a certified B Corp and a California benefit corporation, writing the values into its corporate charter so they would be preserved.
78 December 2025