What 5 Years Has Taught Me About Social Impact

Five years ago, we introduced our Social Impact Assessment Program with a big ambition and a simple goal: to help companies better understand their social impact and ultimately improve the lives of the people who make their products. At the time, we had no idea how far this journey would take us. Today, the program has grown far beyond our early expectations – spanning continents, industries, and perspectives.

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As we celebrate this 5-year milestone, I want to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve learned, the impact we’ve seen, and where we’re headed next.

Over 45 Countries from Toy Trucks to Leading Logistics Partners: A Global Evolution

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We began our work in the toy industry – an important part of global supply chains and crucial to childhood development. The early assessments showed the importance of assessing systems in place to manage social compliance and ultimately the impacts this has on workers at the heart of the supply chain.

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Fast forward to today, and the ESCP Social Impact Assessment Program is now active in over 45 countries across over 20 different sectors.We've worked with companies in fashion, electronics, footwear, logistics, automotive, printing, metals and beyond. Each industry brings its own challenges and opportunities, but one thing remains consistent: the value of understanding social impact at the ground level and the benefit of a program with capability building at its core which is both easy to understand and scale.

What Real Impact Looks Like

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One of the most rewarding aspects of this work is seeing the tangible outcomes that follow an assessment cycle and seeing workplaces implement recommendations and demonstrate improvements year on year.

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We’ve witnessed factories improve systems in place which directly augment working conditions, companies adjust sourcing policies and practices, and workers themselves gain more voice and agency in their workplace. We’ve seen ripple effects that extend far beyond tier one – expanding positive benefits to millions of workers globally.

In one promotional goods vendor in the UK, participation in the program saw the company transform its approach to social responsibility, evolving from an informal system to a structured, proactive model that aligns with international standards. The Social Impact Assessment provided critical early insights that spurred the implementation of formal policies, systematic risk management, and the integration of labor standards into sourcing decisions.

Through the assessment framework, the company introduced a range of ethical policies—including anti-slavery, equal opportunities, and corporate social responsibility policies—underpinned by a supplier code of conduct. A new risk assessment process for international suppliers has been particularly effective, enhancing supply chain compliance and accountability.

The results speak for themselves: in just over a year, the company’s independent social impact score more than doubled, rising by approximately 108%. This upward trajectory highlights how the assessment program not only identifies key areas for development but also supports long-term, measurable progress toward ethical and sustainable business practices.

Deploying Social ImpactAssessments to Strengthen DHL’s ESG Strategy

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A key work stream over the past 5 years of the Social Impact Assessment program is our work with DHL, a global leader in logistics. Our collaboration challenged us to look at social impact from a different angle – through the lens of distribution centers, warehouse operations, and a complex network of third-party labor.

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Starting in2021, the collaboration aimed to ensure that DHL's extensive supplier network aligns with its commitment to social responsibility and climate-neutral logistics.

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“Rather than just dictate our ESG standards on suppliers, we want to bring them along on a journey—to not just improve their social and environmental impact, but to also take ownership of these standards and make a positive impact.” – Stuart Sumner, Head of Global Supplier Sustainability at DHL Group

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DHL was drawn to partner with ESCP for our combination of remote assessments and on-site audits, as well as its non-profit ethos. Use of the Social ImpactAssessment tools provided DHL with scalable, low-cost solutions to assess and improve supplier performance in areas such as worker well-being and environmental impact.

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The partnership has yielded significant benefits:

• Enhanced Supplier Engagement: Suppliers are now more actively involved in upholding ESG standards, leading to improved workplace conditions and environmental practices.
• Streamlined Processes: ESCP's flexible approach has simplified the assessment process, allowing DHL to efficiently monitor and support its suppliers.
• Strengthened ESG Strategy: The insights gained from ESCP assessments have informed DHL's broader sustainability roadmap,  reinforcing its position as a leader in responsible logistics.
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“If you really want to add value to your ESG strategy and be seen as a serious player, definitely have a conversation with the team at ESCP.”

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This case showed us how powerful it is when large, global companies don’t just “check the box” but genuinely want to make improvements and engage suppliers. Learn more about our partnership with DHL here.

Five Key Lessons We’ve Learned

After five years, here are some of the big takeaways:

1. Listen First: Workers, local partners, and suppliers themselves have crucial insights that are often more valuable than any policy document.
2. Context is Everything: A recommendation that works in Vietnam may fall flat in Mexico. Local realities must shape how we assess and act.
3. ‍Data Alone Isn't Enough: Yes, you need numbers. But pairing data with stories – real voices – makes the case for change impossible to ignore.‍
4. Partnerships Are Powerful: Our success has always been collective. We’ve been lucky to collaborate  with visionary companies, dedicated suppliers, and passionate advocates for sustainability and improving workers lives.
5. The Small Wins Matter: Not every change is flashy. Sometimes, something as simple as adapting policies or adjusting working hours can have a massive impact on well-being.

Where We’re Headed Next

Looking forward, the next five years are about depth, scale, and innovation.

• We plan to grow our reach to even more countries, with even deeper engagement in even more sectors.
• We’re always enhancing and improving our digital tools that will make assessments more efficient, more streamlined, and more accessible to all suppliers
• We're supporting companies and suppliers to shift their focus from simply compliance with minimum standards and legislation to actively ehancing the lives of workers and standards in the workplace.
• We’re continuing to use our findings to inform policy and industry     standards, helping raise the bar across entire sectors

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A Personal Reflection

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If there’s one thing this journey has taught me, it’s that social impact is never one-size-fits-all – and it’s never finished. Every new assessment, every new country, every new worker we hear from teaches us something new.

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But more than anything, I’ve learned that real change is possible. Not just in theory, but in practice. In factories, warehouses, distribution centers, and corporate boardrooms.

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To all our partners, manufacturers, vendors, licensees, and ESCP Program Members: thank you. Your trust, curiosity, and commitment have made this program what it is today.

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Here’s to the next five years – and to a future where business doesn't just serve profit, but people too.

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Whether you're a company looking to enhance your supply chain sustainability, a supplier committed to improving worker well-being, or an organization passionate about social impact, we invite you to connect with us. Contact aine.mccarthy@ethicalsupplychain.org.

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