PwC’s “ESG Awards” Contest: Last Days to Apply

The application deadline for the PwC’s “ESG Awards” contest is approaching. For a second year in a row, the initiative will reward organisations with successful ESG strategies and projects, innovative products & services with a positive impact on the environment as well as educational programmes in the field of sustainable development.

The “ESG Awards” are held in 4 main categories:

● Strategy

● Innovation 

● Educational programme

● Leader in sustainable development (for individuals only)

Organisations operating on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria can participate in the contest. Startups can participate in the “Innovation” category. The special category “Leader in sustainable development” is for individuals who initiate, follow and support responsible business practices.

The deadline for submitting applications is August 10, 2023. Participation is free of charge.

Participants should present strategies, projects, innovations and programmes implemented in the last two years or prepared for implementation in 2023 or 2024. Applications will be evaluated by a jury of independent ESG experts.

The winners will be announced at an official ceremony this autumn.

You can find more information about the contest and the categories here.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has announced the launch of the BCC Workplace Equity Commission, with members including Stonewall Chair Iain Anderson, Ayesha Hazarika MBE, Women of the World founder and CEO Jude Kelly CBE, and Scope CEO Mark Hodgkinson.  

Convening national experts, business leaders and representatives from the UK and international Chamber networks, the group will produce recommendations for Government  and business to progress the ED&I agenda in the workplace.  

The Commission will examine workplace equity from several angles including age, disability, race, gender and LGBTQ+, while also considering the intersectionality of these factors. It will also look at how employers can be supported to unlock the talent and potential of all individuals in the workforce.

This is the first of its kind body of work from the BCC as the organisation takes a leading role in furthering equality, diversity and inclusion across the UK economy.  

The Commission is part of the organisation’s three-year workplace equity campaign, the inspiration for which came from the findings of the BCC International Women’s Day research, published last March, that surveyed 4,000 people. 

The Commission will hold its first meeting on September 19th, and the inquiry will run over 12 months. 

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said:   

“True equity across our workplaces is not only important for our society, it is also imperative to the functioning of a healthy economy.  

“This Commission will look at how employers are currently addressing ED&I issues in the workplace, and the impact this has on the recruitment, retention and progression of a skilled workforce – an issue of particular relevance given today’s incredibly tight labour market.

“We are delighted to have renowned national figures, such as Iain Anderson and Jude Kelly CBE, joining us to bring their expertise and lived experiences to the group. Together with industry and Chamber leaders, our aim is to deliver a pragmatic and ambitious ED&I roadmap for businesses and Government that will leave a lasting and meaningful impact on workplaces across the UK. 

Sarah Howard MBE, Chair of the BCC, said:   

“The motivation to develop this Commission was born out of the stark findings from our International Women’s Day 2023 research which highlighted the work that remains to be done to enshrine full gender equality across our economy.  

“However, the need to create a truly equitable economy goes far beyond International Women’s Day; we cannot solely limit our ED&I focus to the issue of gender equity.

 With the help of top-class experts and business leaders, this Commission will be examining a range of issues requiring attention, in a bid to truly embed equity into our workplaces.” 

New Balkans Law Office, a prominent law firm with a primary focus on Bulgaria, is delighted to announce its sponsorship of the 6th Annual IBA European Startup Conference. The conference, to be held in London, is a strategic move as the firm expands its services to encompass dual jurisdiction legal consultancy by offering both Bulgarian and UK law advice.

The sponsorship exemplifies the firms commitment to supporting startups and entrepreneurs as they navigate the legal hurdles they inevitably face on their path to success. Known for its specialised startup clinic (https://www.newbalkanslawoffice.com/nblos-startup-pro-bono-legal-advice-clinic-programme), New Balkans Law Office aims to provide startups with invaluable legal guidance and expertise, including bespoke advice surrounding founder relationships and early stage negotiations with investors. With offices in Bulgaria and London, the firm is primed to offer comprehensive and tailored solutions to startups facing the legal complexities of multiple jurisdictions.

New Balkans Law Office eagerly anticipates contributing to the success of this enriching conference and fostering the growth of the European startup ecosystem.

If you are interested in learning more about the conference and/or registering for the event, you can learn more below

Date: 27 September 2023

Location: One Great George Street, London, England

Register for the conference via this link: https://www.ibanet.org/conference-details/CONF2346

We would like to invite all member companies to extend nominations for the BBBA Board of Directors. Elections will take place at the Annual General Meeting of the British Bulgarian Business Association.

When:  19 October, 5.00 pm

Where: Novotel Hotel Sofia – 115 N Tsarigradsko Shosse Blvd

Note that there will be 7 vacancies for the BBBA Board of Directors. Thus if you are willing to commit to work actively for the development of BBBA, we encourage you to put yourself forward for elections by sending us your CV and Cover Letter at office@bbba.bg by 15 September. You will also have the opportunity to present yourself in front of BBBA members at the Annual General Meeting. 

In July this year together with Assert International Bulgaria, Manpower Bulgaria completed the sixth consecutive Salaries, benefits, and additional bonuses- trends (SATR H2/2023) survey, which provides a summary analysis of trends and expectations for compensation levels for the second half of 2023.

For the purpose of the study, we surveyed 253 companies across different sectors in the country to understand their attitudes towards changing renomination levels and benefits and also how external factors such as inflation and turnover are affecting these processes.

Given the high interest in the survey results, we dedicated the July episode of HR Navigator the topic. On 19.07 in the ClubHouse studio, Maria Dineva from the Business Intelligence team at Assert International Bulgaria presented the survey data in the company of Milena Balevska, HR Director – Payroll and Administration – Pontica Solutions, Ivelina Petkova, Business Development Manager at Manpower Bulgaria, and Natalia Shishkova – Georgieva, Executive Director at AIBEST. Additionally, the guests in the studio commented on the expected changes in remuneration, bonus systems, and additional benefits for the second half of 2023. You can watch the full recording of the event directly on the Manpower YouTube channel.

For more information, you can view the full report here.

Reacting to the signing of the Accession Protocol, paving the way for the UK’s accession to the CPTPP in 2024, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: 

 
“The forthcoming addition of the UK to this trading bloc takes it to 12 countries which accounts for 15% of global economic output. 

 
“It will open up new opportunities for our businesses in both inward and external investment with the other 11 countries from the second half of next year.  

 
“There are not many multi-national trade agreements like this one, and it offers new prospects in a fast-growing region of the global economy. 

 
“We see particular relevance for small and medium sized businesses in reduced costs to import components from member countries to use in manufactured goods for export.  

 
“There are also generous terms for data flows which underpin an increasing part of international trade.   

 
“We will be scrutinising the Accession Protocol in detail on its publication in the next few days. But accession will be good news for UK businesses to enter or upscale their trade in these markets, with increased confidence and more generous trading terms.   

 
“We look forward to working with the UK Government, and others, to ensure firms get the best possible access to this thriving market within the global trade system.” 

NBLO’s Ivan Petrov recently attended Durham Law School’s highly anticipated Energy Disputes Conference. The event, held on the 16th July, brought together industry experts and legal professionals to discuss pressing issues within the energy sector and explore potential solutions.
The conference boasted an impressive lineup of panel discussions, covering a wide range of topics relevant to the energy industry. In one panel titled “Commercial Disputes in the Energy Sector” distinguished practitioners such as Christian Leathley, Henok Ashmelash, Iain Sandford, and Ioana Knoll-Tudor opined on the challenges faced in resolving commercial conflicts within the energy sector. Their expertise shed light on effective strategies for managing disputes and mitigating potential legal and commercial risks.
A second panel, “International Investment Disputes in the Energy Sector” featured speakers Filip Balcerzak, Islambek Rustambekov, Peter Cameron, Steffen Hindelang, and Ylli Dautaj. They discussed at length the complexities surrounding investment disputes both in the context of WTO and arbitration in the global energy landscape. The panel shared valuable knowledge about navigating the legal intricacies of international energy projects and protecting corporate investments in this sector.
The final panel, “Public International Law Issues in the Energy Sector” hosted by Can Eken, Christian Tietje, and Gloria Alvarez, delved into the legal aspects of energy projects with public international law elements. Their profound expertise impressed on attendees the importance of companies complying with both local and regulatory energy regimes.
NBLO’s presence at this conference demonstrates their commitment to staying updated with the latest industry trends and legal developments. NBLO’s team gained access to highly expert influential professionals, allowing them to network, exchange ideas and gain valuable insights for their clients.

Bettany Hughes’ Treasures of the World is a documentary series presented by award winning Professor Bettany Hughes. In each beautiful, celebratory film Bettany travels to a different country and explores a selection of its greatest treasures guided by local experts.

Her Treasures of Bulgaria project is in need of partners and funding. You can find more information about the film and about Bettany at the files below. The project lead is Dixi Stewart would love to share how you might be involved. Please contact her at dixistewart@sandstoneglobal.com

Distribution:

International TV Distributor Partners DCD Media will distribute Treasures of Bulgaria around the world for both linear and digital platforms. By airing on premiere broadcasters in 120 countries across Central Europe, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Australia, USA and on inflight channels, the film will reach a huge market.

Prof Bettany Hughes’ profile

Prof Bettany Hughes is a hugely popular, highly regarded author and broadcaster and a very popular speaker at International festivals. She has an outstanding presence on social media and in the mainstream press. Her programmes and posts are consistently cited as a reason visitors travel to a particular place.

Many of Bettany’s programmes have trended on Twitter, including Treasures of Istanbul, and received responses such as ”It was a wonderful programme, Bettany, thank you so much We can’t wait to visit Istanbul in April and will have our ‘pocket Bettany’ in our suitcase”.

The 19th edition of the Mini MBA Programme, starts at the end of September this year. This key PwC’s programme is 4-month long and it is aimed at managers at all levels in all lines of business, owners of small and medium-sized enterprises, and those who are considering starting their own business. 

The Mini MBA programme consists of 9 modules that are focused on diverse topics such as people management & leadership, business strategy, finance and accounting, marketing, innovation, and others. Our programme is led by international experts with practical business experience. Thus, along the programme you will be able to put what you have learned into practice. In addition, our Mini MBA Programme is a great opportunity to build up your social network, exchange ideas and share knowledge with other business professionals.

You can contact us at: bg_pwcacademy@pwc.com

Application form: https://www.pwc.bg/en/online-forms/academy-training-courses-registration.html

More information about the programme: https://www.pwc.bg/en/pwc-academy/portfolio/mini-mba-programme.html

Postbank won two international awards in this year’s edition of the prestigious Employer Brand Stars Awards 2023. The awards in the highly competitive Use of Digital and Candidate Experience categories recognise the institution’s commitment to employing innovative strategies and successful employer practices. As the only winner from Bulgaria, Postbank’s achievements demonstrate its modern approach to human resources management and are further evidence of the innovative management vision of its employer brand.

The Employer Brand Stars awards are given to organisations that develop a working atmosphere that maximises the full potential of their employees through established policies and practices in recruitment, engagement and retention. The 2023 edition was joined by companies and organisations from over 30 countries, with between 30 and 120 entries in each of the 12 categories. Awards are limited, and the competition is judged by an international jury of globally recognised professionals using a holistic approach and methodology based on six criteria: creativity, innovation, planning, execution, effectiveness and results.

The Use of Digital category recognises those companies that effectively integrate digital strategies into employer brand initiatives, both internally and externally. Postbank’s implementation of innovative applications, attractive video content, e-learning platforms and use of gamification in digital and virtual environments, along with its career portal, reinforce the financial institution’s responsibility and efforts for digital transformation in the workplace and earn a well-deserved distinction in the category. 

The company’s dedication to continuously improving the candidate experience is also recognized in the Candidate Experience category. Postbank’s programmes ensure a wholly positive experience for potential new employees from the initial application process through preparation and starting work. This distinction demonstrates the company’s unwavering commitment to providing a seamless, positive and engaging candidate experience throughout the recruitment process, as well as nurturing talent from an early stage.

“We are very happy that Postbank has once again stood out as a leading innovative employer, a modern market leader with a different approach, a bold vision for talent attraction and employer brand management. At the heart of our globally recognised success in various fields lies a team of outstanding professionals whom we highly value and purposefully invest in their development. These prestigious global awards are further evidence of the realisation of our ambition to be a benchmark for successful employer brand building and positioning, which we achieve through new approaches, unconventional ideas and distinctive projects. This latest international recognition will undoubtedly have an important impact on our position as an employer of choice in the market, and we believe we will continue to attract exceptional talent to our winning team. In addition, these awards reinforce our commitment to creating a corporate environment of shared values and providing a truly memorable experience for our employees and potential new candidates,” Postbank said.

Postbank’s current awards come following an award in the Employer Brand Strategy category, which the institution received in the same competition in 2022 for its innovative approach, marked by creativity, precise planning, flawless execution and outstanding results that impressed the competition jury. The award reinforces the company’s position as a leader in comprehensive employer branding strategies. 

Postbank’s consistent wins in the Employer Brand Stars Awards are an example of its dedication to creating an engaging and supportive work environment, as well as setting a remarkable standard in the industry. The awards are also a true testament to the company’s commitment to innovation, efficiency and results, positioning it as a shining example of excellence in building the employer brand in Bulgaria and beyond,” said the Employer Brand Stars Awards team.

Over the years, Postbank has been awarded many times for its innovative solutions in building a successful and motivated team and in establishing a strong employer brand. In 2023, the bank was recognized as a Top Employer in Bulgaria with a certificate from the international independent Top Employers Institute. In the b2b Media Employer Branding Awards 2023, Postbank was honoured with a total of three awards in some of the most attractive categories – Creative Thinking, Excellence in Teamwork and Employer Branding Innovation.

More information about the advantages and values of Postbank as a leading employer, as well as vacancies and career development offers, can be found at https://careers.postbank.bg/.