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Paul Burke

Senior Partner
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Joined 2006

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.

  • Finance
  • Food & Beverage
  • Utilities
  • Technology
  • NGOs and Not-For-Profits
+44 (0)7775821645
paul.burke@carnstone.com
Paul on LinkedIn

Paul's Insights…

The Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Salary Survey 2018 Report

The Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Salary Survey 2018

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.

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The Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Salary Survey 2016 Report

The Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Salary Survey 2016

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.

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What investors need to know about employee relations in retail Report

What investors need to know about employee relations in retail

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.

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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…

This bulletin was published on 31 January 2022
Gravity Media appoint Carnstone to Ensure their Future’s Sustainability

Gravity Media appoint Carnstone to Ensure their Future’s Sustainability

  • This appointment aims to develop Gravity Media’s ESG strategy to ensure that it aligns with their ambitions and the expectations of their customers, employees and investors

  • Gravity Media aims to reduce their carbon emissions in line with the latest climate science to reach a long-term goal of net zero emissions, as well as working to increase Diversity and Inclusion across the Broadcast Media industry

25 January 2022, London – Gravity Media, a leading global provider of media production, creative services and facilities, announce they have appointed Carnstone, an independent management consultancy specializing in corporate responsibility and sustainability, to ensure the sustainable future of Gravity Media and to support them in achieving their ESG goals.

Gravity Media is starting 2022 with a commitment to reduce their carbon emissions and become an ESG leader in the sector. Initially focussing on the areas of Sustainability, Diversity and Inclusion, and Employee Wellbeing, Carnstone are working alongside Gravity Media to develop a comprehensive ESG strategy that will enable Gravity Media to realise their goals.

At a time when issues like climate change, Diversity and Inclusion, and biodiversity have never been more important, this partnership will be an example of the work that can be done by businesses to be more sustainable and achieve their own ESG goals.

With strong employee engagement across all levels and functions of the business, Gravity Media has a very solid foundation to build on. Spokespeople from each organisation have commented positively on the partnership –

Mr. John NEWTON, CEO of Gravity Media, said:

“At Gravity Media we recognise that we all have a role to play to contribute to a more sustainable future. We are passionate about playing our part in that journey and are excited to announce our partnership with Carnstone in developing the next stage of our long term ESG strategy. Our aim is to create and implement a strategy that not only contributes to a more sustainable future but also ensures we promote diversity and inclusion in our industry, fostering a culture where our employees feel they can bring their whole selves to work. Our strategy will allow us to create long term value for our organisation, our stakeholders and wider society, whilst sustaining and enhancing our natural resources for future generations.”

Mr. Paul BURKE, Senior Partner at Carnstone, said:

“We're delighted to be working with Gravity Media on the development of their sustainability strategy. We've already been impressed by the company's ambition and senior level commitment. We want to harness these strengths to produce an approach that addresses its main sustainability challenges and positions Gravity Media as a leader within its sector.”

  • Paul Burke
  • Victoria Smith
    • ESG
      • Media
This bulletin was published on 3 December 2020

The 2020 CR & Sustainability Salary Results Are Now Live

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.

  • Paul Burke
  • Stephanie Attal-Juncqua
    • Acre
    • Flag
This bulletin was published on 16 March 2020
The 2020 CR Salary Survey is now live

The 2020 CR Salary Survey is now live

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.

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  • Paul Burke
  • Stephanie Attal-Juncqua
    • Acre
    • Flag
+44 (0)20 7839 0170
@carnstone
@carnstone_partners
carnstone
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