One of the world’s top 100 most impactful CSR leaders

In Arla, responsibility and profitability goes hand in hand. We know that long-term success is only achieved if we can add value to people’s lives while acting responsibly towards the environment and the communities we’re part of. At Arla, we are proud to announce that Irene Quist Mortensen, CSR business partner for Arla International, has been listed as one of the world’s top 100 most impactful CSR leaders.

A collaborative culture
Reflecting on the recognition, Irene expresses that she thinks it's the work with human rights that the CSR team and business in International have done together, over the last three years, that gained her a place on the list. In particular, our work with human rights in Nigeria, Bangladesh and Middle East has attracted global recognition.

A key word for being recognized for innovative results is also the ability to engage in trustful collaboration with farmers, consumers, governments and NGO’s around the world. Irene explains, that Arla have learned a lot also from the NGO’s who has critized us the most.

UN Sustainable Development Goals
How Arla works with the UN Sustainable Development Goals also caught the judges' eye. “I consider the development goals as a gift to Arla”, says Irene. They provide a clear context for Arla’s work with CSR and frame the global sustainability strategy. Arla’s priorities lie within “end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture” (SDG 2), “descent work and economic growth” (SDG 8) and “sustainable consumption and production” (SDG 12).

A true dedication to being responsible
Arla’s work within CSR clearly demonstrates how responsibility and profitability go hand in hand, and that a true dedication to being responsible benefits business in the long run. It strengthens our social license to operate and is an asset to business, not an add-on. “At Arla we recognise we have the power of scale to create real change on monumental societal problems while improving business. And that’s what drives my passion for corporate social responsibility”, tells Irene.

I think it’s the work with human rights that the CSR team and business in International have done together, over the last three years, that gained me a place on the list. It has attracted global recognition. In particular, our work in Nigeria, Bangladesh and Middle East.