Paul Burke
Paul’s lengthy experience of CR and sustainability embraces both major in-house and external consultancy roles. In the latter, he has worked with clients in the FMCG, utilities, financial, and professional services sectors. He believes firmly that understanding how businesses operate and the challenges they face is fundamental to developing effective sustainability strategies. Paul has considerable expertise in corporate sustainability reporting, stakeholder engagement and producing engaging publications that draw upon original research.
Paul's Insights…
The Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Salary Survey 2018 Report
In collaboration with Acre and Flag, we have released our seventh corporate responsibility and sustainability (CRS) salary survey. The survey provides a snapshot of the salaries, benefits, responsibilities, qualifications, competencies, and job satisfaction in the CRS profession.
Here are the key highlights:
- The percentage of female respondents broke the 60% mark for the first time;
- Women are now a majority in every one of our generic role types with the exception of Director/Partner in consultancies;
- As with all our previous surveys, average salaries continue to be higher for those working in-house than for consultants with the gap widening to £12,000 this year;
- 90% of respondents have either an undergraduate and/or postgraduate degree;
- 72% of respondents have a postgraduate degree (including MBAs) compared to 49% in 2007;
- 1,277 respondents this year with an increased response from Europe;
- For those based in UK we have seen a 2% decline in average salaries (2018: £56,000);
- Those working in North America enjoy the highest average salaries of £90,000; and
- The best paying sectors are Natural Resources, Health and Consumer Goods with average salaries of £97,000, £89,000 and £81,000 respectively.
The report is freely available to download. Please follow the link below.
The Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Salary Survey 2016 Report
In collaboration with Acre and Flag, we have released our sixth corporate responsibility and sustainability (CRS) salary survey. The survey provides a snapshot of the salaries, benefits, responsibilities, qualifications, competencies, and job satisfaction in the CRS profession. This year, we achieved an 8% increase in respondents to 1,294, reflecting a growing and maturing sector.
We found an increase in the global average salary from 2014, with pay increases in the UK, Europe and the USA. This increase was largely due to a significant jump in female professionals’ salaries, indicating a shrinking – but still present – gender pay gap. Another key finding was the average salary premium of £10,000 (£5,000 in the UK) for professionals working in-house when compared to those working in consultancies.
What investors need to know about employee relations in retail Report
From 2013-2015, the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), the leading global network for responsible investors, coordinated a collaborative engagement with the aim of improving employee relations reporting and performance at 27 major retailers. Carnstone supported the process as the primary research partner, analysing in detail the extent to which employee relations are financially material and tracking the progress made during the engagement. The findings and insights have now been summarised in a guide, laying out why and how investors should engage with retailers on topics such as training, turnover rates and employee engagement. The research and subsequent engagement enjoyed the support of 24 investors with US$1.5 trillion of assets under management.
Paul's Pro Bono Work…
Paul provides pro bono support to the Living Wage Foundation and is co-chair of their working group developing and overseeing the implementation of its Living Hours accreditation.
Paul in our news section…
The 2020 CR & Sustainability Salary Results Are Now Live
- 03 December 2020
The CR Salary & Market Survey today announced the launch of the 2020 results and report. The largest of its kind, the survey was completed this year by over 1,500 professionals globally, making for compelling and thorough results.
The survey was launched in 2008 by Acre, Carnstone and Flag with the purpose of helping CR & sustainability professionals gain a better understanding of the growing areas of corporate responsibility and sustainability, and how sustainability fits into the modern business landscape.
Now in its 12th year, it’s more important than ever to raise awareness about the importance of sustainability within corporate organisations along with the impact the sector has on society and the environment.
The survey provides a snapshot on the following topics:
- Diversity in the workplace and the gender pay gap
- Key competencies required in the profession
- An understanding of the varied backgrounds of CR & sustainability professionals
- Career progression within CR & sustainability
- Benchmark salaries and benefits by sector, location, gender and seniority
Here are the key highlights:
- Salaries globally have risen substantially: the mean salary has increased by 21% (2018: £63k to 2020: £76k); the mode has moved from £30k–£50k (where it’s been since 2012) to £50k–£75k; and the global median rose by £10,000 to £62,500.
- North America continues to offer the highest average salaries – at around £112,000 (US$ 140,000) for in-house roles and £100,000 (US$ 125,000) for consultants.
- As with all our previous surveys, average salaries continue to be higher for those working in-house than for consultants with the gap widening to £16,000 this year;
- Overall, just below two thirds of respondents received a bonus, which was similar to last time.
- 90% of respondents have either an undergraduate and/or postgraduate degree. The number of people undertaking postgraduate courses has also increased over 10%, from 61% in 2018 to 68% this year.
- MBAs have also increased in popularity year-on-year among respondents, with 14% of respondents this year having one, versus 11% in 2018 and 9% in 2016.
- On average, the duration of careers within CR&S has lengthened since 2018: there are fewer people having worked for less than two years and for 2–5 years, but more people having worked for more than five years in the sector.
- The level of commitment to corporate responsibility among senior executives has risen by 7% since 2018.
- Over a quarter of respondents were very satisfied with their jobs, with a further 52% declaring themselves to be satisfied.
- The survey continues to highlight disparities in the levels of remuneration and seniority (especially for consultants) between men and women.
The 2020 CR Salary & Market Survey Report is now available to download for free - please get your copy here.
The 2020 CR Salary Survey is now live
- 16 March 2020
The 2020 Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Salary Survey, undertaken by Acre, Carnstone and Flag, has been developed to provide a comprehensive insight into the salaries & benefits, responsibilities and backgrounds of people working in the CRS sector.
The survey remains the largest survey of its kind and promises to disclose more information than ever before; in addition to revealing earning power and skills required for success. The 2020 survey will divulge details on diversity, budgets and team sizes as well as drawing comparisons across the previous surveys.
Those who take part will contribute to the clearest understanding of the professional CRS landscape in existence, and will receive an advance copy of the report.
The more participants we research, the clearer the view we will have of how corporate responsibility and sustainability professionals fit into the modern business world.
It is important that we continue to take part in building a clear picture of growth in sustainability and its worth to the businesses they're part of.
To take part (the survey should take no more than five minutes to complete) please visit: http://crsalarysurvey.com
So what's in it for you?
- By contributing, you are improving the quality of the results for your market place
- Raise awareness of the importance of sustainability within corporate organisations along with the impact we have on society and the environment
- You will be the first to receive a free copy of the report
The survey is 100% confidential – no participants' names or contact details will be published or made available to any third parties at any stage. Please help us distribute this key survey throughout the sector.
The sustainability salary survey returns for its 10th anniversary year!
- 20 March 2018
The 2018 Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Salary Survey, undertaken by Acre, Carnstone and Flag, was launched on 21st March 2018 and aims to deliver the ultimate report on professionals working in the CRS field.
It is inviting employees in the sector who work in-house, as well as in external consultancies, to sign up and shed light on their salaries and benefits, responsibilities and backgrounds.
The biennial study - in its 10th year and believed to be the largest of its kind - promises to disclose extra information to give even more valuable insight.
Those who take part contribute to the clearest understanding of the professional CRS landscape in existence.
In addition to revealing earning power and skills required for success, the 2018 survey will also divulge details on diversity, budgets and team sizes as well as drawing comparisons across the previous six surveys.
If you would like to know more about the salaries & benefits, responsibilities and backgrounds of people working in the sector, then please contribute by completing the survey. By participating you will be the first to receive a full report on the findings, including statistical analysis, comments from some of the sector's leading professionals, and some predictions as to what these trends suggest for the future.
The report will be published in early June. By participating you will be invited to a launch event with the chance to discuss the results and the implications for you and the sector.
To take part (the survey should take no more than five minutes to complete) please visit: crsalarysurvey.com
Submissions are 100% confidential – no participants' names or contact details will be published or made available to any third parties at any stage. The results will be collated by the three companies and revealed at a later date, with all participants receiving a copy.