Leading ESG and Sustainability

This course takes a holistic approach to developing ESG strategies that enable organisations to measure their performance meaningfully, respond to societal and environmental challenges, and move beyond superficial sustainability compliance.

Led by Ismail Erturk, Senior Lecturer in Banking, the course combines expert insight with current research and practical examples to explore the evolution of ESG, regulatory expectations, and the organisational risks of failing to engage effectively with ESG principles.

The course is centred around key thematic areas, including:

• Strategic ESG Integration: Embedding ESG into governance structures, executive decision-making, and core business strategy to drive long-term value creation.
• Effective Reporting and Disclosure: Understanding best practices in sustainability and ESG reporting, including alignment with frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the creation of materiality matrices.
• Access to Finance and Investor Expectations: Examining how ESG performance influences investment decisions and the cost of capital, and how to align with evolving investor and stakeholder priorities.
• Policy, Regulation and Risk: Analysing current and emerging ESG policy developments, regulatory frameworks, and the implications of inadequate ESG engagement.
• Biodiversity and Nature-Based Reporting: Developing a forward-looking approach to nature-related financial disclosures and understanding their strategic significance.
• Case-Based Learning: Critically evaluating real-world examples to identify both successful and ineffective ESG strategies across sectors and geographies.

The course can be delivered in two formats:

• 2 day intensive course: Focused on exploring the key concepts, frameworks, and challenges of ESG strategy through expert-led sessions and group discussions.
• 4 day extended course: Covers the same content as the 2 day version, with additional time dedicated to applying learnings to participants’ own organisational contexts. This includes the development of an action-oriented ESG strategy presentation, which will be shared and discussed during the final session.

Both formats offer an interactive, classroom-based experience featuring case studies, peer discussions, guest speakers from industry, and opportunities to expand your professional network.

Delivered face-to-face at Alliance Manchester Business School's Executive Education centre, this course involves a range of interactive learning styles that connect theory with practice which ensures delegates finish the course with applied, up to date knowledge of ESG and sustainability.

Throughout the course, you will hear from experienced industry experts, network with a variety of business leaders and work with other delegates to apply core aspects of the course to your organisation.

During your time on this course, you will gain several stand-out learning experiences, including:

Applied Learning - A learning environment created by the course facilitator that draws on the experience and input of your course peers.

Knowledge Transfer - A steady stream of feedback from participating peers with diverse business backgrounds to help build your leadership skills.

Reflection - A rare time-out to contemplate your own leadership capabilities and challenges while engaging with our world-class experts in the ESG and sustainability field.

Network Expansion - An expanding professional network drawn from your peers.

Personal Growth - An expanding self-awareness of your own leadership competencies and how they can be honed in the context of ESG and sustainability.

Behavioural Change - An adoption of new rationales and mindsets that improve your managerial skills.

As part of this course, you will gain access to our comprehensive virtual learning environment before, during and after your time with us. Here, you will find course materials, including pre-work, slides, case studies, and recommended readings, all conveniently available to aid your learning.

At the end of the course, you continue to have access to this online learning area and the University of Manchester online library for up to one year, supporting you to embed your new toolkit of skills and knowledge back into your workplace.

• Gain skills to develop and contribute to ESG and sustainability strategy
• Communicate the contribution of ESG and sustainability to your company effectively
• Confidently assess the impact of prioritising international and national ESG and sustainability compliance
• Gain confidence in suggesting strategies for tackling the increasingly critical global challenges faced by your business
• Learn from expert insights through real-world case studies and industry speakers
• Become a member of the AMBS Executive Education Network and benefit from top-class speaker events, regular updates, and networking opportunities with like-minded professionals

• Utilise your knowledge and the resources gained to ensure a better future for your organisation
• Influence your organisation to position sustainability as a central element of your business model
• Support your organisation to future-proof their long-term sustainability strategy
• Learn to reposition the ESG focused challenges your business faces into value creating and reputation building opportunities
• Utilise sustainability as a business case for achieving your organisation’s ESG goals

This course is relevant to senior or middle managers working in sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility, and ESG functions and teams who are looking to influence change from a focus on sustainability and social responsibility to ESG strategy.

Whether you come from a private, public or not-for-profit organisation, this short, applicable and holistic course will help you update your sustainability management capabilities through gaining new frameworks, perspectives, and best practice examples.

Ismail Erturk, Senior Lecturer in Banking, holds a multitude of experience teaching on a range of programmes including Alliance Manchester Business School’s MBA.

As well as vast academic experience, Ismail has also undertaken various advisory work for companies and government institutions internationally. His research interests include purpose of the firm, financialisaton, corporate governance, cultural economy, green finance and ESG.

Upon successful completion of this short business course, participants will be awarded the Manchester Professional Certificate in Leading ESG and Sustainability.

You will also receive a digital Manchester Professional Certificate in Leading ESG and Sustainability from Accredible, an online certificate and badge which can be displayed on LinkedIn profiles.

You can choose to curate your own curriculum by attending any four courses from our extensive portfolio. On completion of the four courses of your choice, you will be awarded the Manchester Professional Diploma in Leadership.

As part of the professional diploma, you will receive three executive coaching sessions.

These sessions will help you to apply your continued learning directly into your organisation, identify the specific skills needed to enhance your leadership capabilities, and align your professional development goals with the wider goals of your organisation.

If you are successfully accepted on to the Global MBA within five years of completion of the course, you will receive exemption from one elective. Your attendance on the course must be mentioned at the time of application. For further details, please do contact us.

If you choose to stay in Manchester during your time on one of our short business courses, you can benefit from preferential rates at the Hyatt Hotel, a modern and elegant hotel located at the heart of our campus and adjoining the Executive Education centre.

Learn more about the Hyatt Hotel

Frequently asked questions about our short business courses