ESG to ESG · Strategy & growth advisory
Turn your ESG credentials into sustainable growth
ESG33 connects Environmental, Social and Governance best practice with your growth strategy, so purpose shows up in your pipeline, your margins and your reputation, not just your annual report.
What ESG means here
- ESGEnvironmental, Social & Governance
- ESGEnjoying Sustainable Growth
- ESGEngineering Structured Growth
- ESGEradicating Sustainability Gambling
- ESGExecuting Strategy Greatness
Why ESG33
Growth doesn’t have to come at any cost
The climate is changing. Biodiversity is in decline. People are malnourished. Access, inclusion, integrity and ethics vary wildly across our societies, cultures and organisations. And we keep raiding finite resources to fuel a relentless demand for growth.
ESG33 exists to prove there is a better way: growth that is purposeful, profitable and part of the solution.
“I do not think growth has to be at all costs. I think it can be purposeful. I think it can help fix the mess we are in.”John Downer, Founder, ESG33
The opportunity gap
Two kinds of ESG. Most firms only have one.
In many firms there is a chasm between the ESG corporate overhead, usually fixated on the ‘E’, and the strategy that actually wins work and grows profit. ESG to ESG closes that gap.
ESG #1
Environmental, Social & Governance
The qualifications, certificates, accreditations, systems and reports. Necessary, but too often treated as a compliance cost that sits apart from the business.
ESG #2
Enjoying Sustainable Growth
A growth strategy with ESG in its DNA: a stronger value proposition, a solid social licence to operate, governance free of greenwash, and a clear return at the top and bottom line.
The business case
Purpose and performance go together
7%
Higher annual total shareholder return for companies that outperform on growth, profitability and ESG together, compared with the rest.
Source: McKinsey, The triple play (2023)
13%
Financial outperformance by companies where leaders and employees are most aligned on sustainability, compared with the least aligned.
Source: World Economic Forum (2022)
2 lines
Making ESG core to a holistic growth strategy creates a clear return on investment at both the top and the bottom line.
What we do
Bespoke support, from first conversation to full transformation
No two firms are the same, so no two ESG to ESG journeys are either. Start small and low risk, then scale what works.
01
ESG to ESG training
An interactive baseline session for your board, C-suite and key influencers. One day face to face, or bite-size online.
02
The ESG to ESG Programme
An end-to-end enterprise programme, from the ESG33 Thermometer to strategy, governance, measurement and comms.
03
Growth training
Practical capability building in sales, key accounts, negotiation, value propositions and accelerating cash.
04
Acquisition advisory
Inorganic growth done properly: market screening, value creation logic, due diligence and integration.
Who you’ll work with
John Downer, founder
After 20 years of FTSE 250-level consulting with Jacobs, most recently as European Growth Director for Transportation, John founded ESG33 to combine his environmental science roots with award-winning growth strategy credentials.
- Former Growth Director, Market Director, Head of Operations and Interim MD of a £390m European transportation business
- Visiting Fellow, Cranfield School of Management
- Board Director, High Speed Rail Group, leading on climate, sustainability and carbon
- MBA (Cranfield), MSc and BSc (UEA), FCIWM, FISP
How we work
Straight-talking, scientific and surprise-free
ESG33 works as an embedded, trusted partner to your leadership team. It will be uncomfortable at times, but always with positive intent. And ESG33 only works with firms that are serious about doing the right thing: no greenwash, ever.
- Ethical – honesty, morality and high integrity in everything.
- Scientific – trust the method, note the assumptions, quality-assure the outputs.
- Exacting – no time for poor quality or opaque effort.
- Surprise-free – progressive engagement that brings key stakeholders on the journey.
- Start small – a low-risk pilot so we can both test the fit.
- Shared success – an incentivised partner, tying reward to your performance.
Sectors
Deep roots in infrastructure and professional services
Experience built in some of the UK and Europe’s most demanding markets, applied to planet- and people-positive firms of every shape, size and sector.
- Rail & high speed rail
- Aviation
- Highways
- Waste & resources
- Professional & technical services
- Engineering consultancy
Ready to take your ESG temperature?
Start with a conversation. We’ll explore where you are, where you want to get to, and whether ESG33 is the right partner to get you there.