Global skilled business support services firm Williams Lea announced that it is joining the U.N. Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative.
The UNGC is a voluntary program based on CEO commitments to align strategies and operations with ten universal principles on labor, human rights, environment and anti-corruption, and to take actions that advance societal goals.
Joining the UNGC is a core part of Beyond Business, Williams Lea’s ESG program. In 2023, to align with the principles and sustainable development goals of the UNGC, the business will prioritize benchmarking carbon emissions and setting measurable targets for a pathway to net zero. Williams Lea has engaged the international consultancy EcoAct to study environmental impact data across all of the business’s international locations.
In Wheeling, Williams Lea operates an onshore delivery center with nearly 700 employees occupying three floors of the historic Stone Center. Building owner, Regional Economic Development Partnership, recently announced plans to install 281 solar panels on the building, allowing Williams Lea to fully power its operation with green energy.
“It is important for us to consider climate change when we are creating policies and making decisions about Williams Lea’s future,” said Williams Lea CEO Clare Hart. “The most successful companies are investing in the future. Joining the U.N. Global Compact and bringing solar power to our Wheeling facility ensures we are building a sustainable future in the communities where our employees live and work.”
In addition to the Wheeling facility, Williams Lea operates four other delivery centers around the world. A second US facility in Columbus, Ohio is inside the Grange Building, which is LEED-certified for efficiency and low carbon emissions. The other operations, one in the United Kingdom and two in India, have green features such as Low-e glass and rainwater harvesting.
“Williams Lea is taking real action to lower our impact on the planet,” added Hart. “For us, it is more than just joining the discussion on climate change, it’s making the decisions that make the world a better place for our clients, employees and communities.”
About Williams Lea
Williams Lea is the global provider of skilled business-critical support services to financial, legal and professional services firms, connecting people, processes and technology to streamline key business and administrative functions and helping companies adapt to a more virtual and digital workplace.
Built on a strong heritage, great client relationships and a talented team, Williams Lea is the trusted global outsourcing provider to clients in highly regulated environments.
Williams Lea serves clients in 20 countries across four continents and has nearly 7,000 employees worldwide. Williams Lea is backed by Advent International, one of the largest and most experienced global private equity investors.
For more information, please visit www.williamslea.com.
