Leadership for a sustainable financial sector

In our research (30 dialogue interviews with the CEO’s of the Dutch banks, insurance companies and asset management; big survey of people working in and with financial institutions) we have explored the question above. These are the key learnings so far:

• The sector is still stuck in the old business models, though there is a growing awareness that a big change is needed.
• Most organizations in the sector have no idea of their future in term of a strategic vision for the next 10-15 years.  This strikes more as other companies outside the sector do have such a vision and strategy (cf. Unilever that has set itself a goal of fully sustainable sourcing within 15 years).
• Young people choosing to work in the sector find it hard to express their concerns internally.
• Bashing banks is seen as unavoidable but people within the financial systems are crying for connecting and cooperation. Still they seem hardly able to take steps (special ones like Triodos excluded of course).
• There is a long way to go to base itself on new sustainable values.
• There is a strong need for a platform for dialogue and leadership development across companies with involvement of external parties where new ideas and behavior can be developed in a relatively safe environment.