“We only act when we are shaken." These words from Mandikova Drahomira, Group Chief Sustainability Officer at Asahi Group Holdings, are a powerful reminder that turbulence can be a catalyst for purposeful change. In our latest article, she shares how her experience with the Economics of Mutuality has led her to explore purpose as an integral part of business—rather than being an afterthought. Read the full story:

“How much agency do I really have, and what responsibility comes with it?” For much of her career, Carly Santer saw responsible business as largely about compliance, with clear rules and a well-refined remit. As Impact Officer at Bayer UK & Ireland, she worked to embed sustainability into strategic business decisions and led efforts to decarbonize global clinical trials. Over time, she began to see how deeply those decisions shape wider systems, from environmental impact to access to care. “I now see every individual within organizations as leaders. We all have agency.” That shift from compliance to conscious choice, changed how she thinks about leadership. The Leading With Purpose program gave her language and clarity to frame those questions, and the confidence to carry them into her next chapter in sustainability advisory work. Read her story 👇

“What does good business look like? To what extent have my own business activities been positive, negative, or neutral?” For many years, Dorian Wrigley, CEO and Founder of Peco Power, viewed “doing well” and “doing good” as separate tracks. First, maximize profit; then, once there is surplus, decide how to be generous with it. That dualistic model never sat comfortably with him, but he lacked an actionable alternative. In this article, Dorian speaks about his dedication to tackling energy poverty in South Africa, and how the Economics of Mutuality approach gave him the tools, language, and framework to align his values with the way he leads his business. Read the full story 👇

Our virtual executive education program, Leading With Purpose, helps senior leaders walk the talk of purpose-driven business. For Sarah Bonadio, joining the course came at a time when she wanted to make sense of how companies can go beyond mere compliance and profit-maximization to become engines of mutual value. As she puts it, she’s “always been curious about getting the dots connected in this, sometimes, complex space where we have public institutions, the private sector, and society.” And she wanted to better understand “how these forces interact and how companies can act as agents of positive change.” Leading With Purpose is designed to equip senior leaders with a clear model for embedding purpose into strategy and turning impact into a driver of long-term value. If you’re a senior leader looking to put purpose into practice with a community of peers navigating the same complexity, this program might be your next step. Applications are open now. You can download the brochure through the link in the comments.

Ole Rølvaag is part of a growing number of ambitious leaders in Norway championing the Economics of Mutuality approach – helping businesses embed purpose into strategy and measure value more holistically. This approach sits at the core of Leading With Purpose, our executive education program which supports senior leaders in redefining success beyond short-term financial performance across financial, social, human, and natural capital. If you’re a senior leader navigating the real tensions between performance, impact, and long-term value creation, Leading With Purpose may be your next step. Delivered online over 9-weeks, the course is grounded in the practical Economics of Mutuality approach, which has been developed with leading companies and universities including Mars and Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. Applications are open now until 20 March. Download the brochure via the link in the comments to find out more 👇 Eika Økonomi, Eika, Norwegian School of Economics (NHH), Magne Supphellen, Martin Gjessing, Atle Riskedal

What a wonderful way to wrap up 2025 with the completion of Leading with Purpose, built around the Economics of Mutuality. Grounded in mutual purpose and impact, business storytelling, paradox mindsets…it was a lot to take in and I am still digesting. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this journey! Economics of Mutuality Alliance #EconomicsOfMutuality #LeadingWithPurpose #MutualValueCreation #PurposeDrivenLeadership #AdaptiveLeadership #Sustainability #EoMAlliance

“If you solve more pain points, is that not the best way to generate more sustainable growth?” In our latest article, Geert De Meyer, Head of Data Analytics for Scientific Innovation at Mars Petcare, explains how adopting a “systems mindset” shifted his focus from selling more products to solving pain points. Read the full story 👇

“Purpose has to be more than a tagline; it has to change how value is created across the system.” In our latest article with Annette Berntsen, Business Development Manager at Skretting, we explore what happens when you move from a “sector where purpose was the currency, to one where it felt like a foreign concept.” After two decades in the pharmaceutical industry, Annette was familiar with working in an industry with a clear framework for purpose-led decision making. Entering the aquaculture market demanded something else: how to express the benefits of mutual value creation in a way that resonated commercially. She was inspired by a mentor to join our Leading With Purpose program, and found a practical approach to bridge the gap. Applications are now open for our 2026 cohort. The brochure is available via the links in the comments 👇

In the complex landscape of the CPG industry, the definition of success is evolving. We are moving away from a singular focus on financial capital toward a more holistic view of value creation—one that integrates human, social, and natural capital into the very core of our business models. I am proud to share that I have completed the "Leading with Purpose" program on the Economics of Mutuality, facilitated by the team at Mutual Value Labs. This wasn't just a training; it was a strategic deep-dive into how we can solve the problems of people and planet through our business operations, rather than as an afterthought. A few reflections on the journey: - Purpose is practical: We explored how aligning purpose with practice drives resilience and performance in our supply chains and consumer relationships. - Ecosystem thinking: To lead in today’s market, we must view our stakeholders not as entities to be managed, but as partners in a mutual ecosystem. I want to extend a sincere thank you to the Economics of Mutuality Alliance team for the world-class content and facilitation. To my fellow participants: thank you for the intellectual generosity, the challenging debates, and the shared commitment to better business. A special note of gratitude to my manager, David Crampe, for championing this vision and supporting my continued development. It is a privilege to lead within Mars, an organization that understands that Leading with Purpose is not just a tagline, but a critical imperative for the future of our industry and our world. Onwards to putting these insights into action. #EconomicsOfMutuality #LeadingWithPurpose #CPG #Sustainability #ResponsibleBusiness

I’m really happy to share that I’ve obtained a new certification: Leading With Purpose from Economics of Mutuality Alliance. The Exectutive Education Program with Mutual Value Labs was well structured, the content was highly engaging and the facilitators and tutors were all great. I’m looking forward continuing to practice decentred stakeholder engagement and mutual value creation for climate and health at Future Delta. To find out more, watch this space —> future-delta.earth #futuregenerations #purposedrivenbusiness #goodancestor Big thanks to Liam Sharkey, Ruth Wilkinson, Charles Wookey, Carla Henry GMBPsS, Alastair Colin-Jones, Linda Sewe and Matthias Berninger for your continued support.

I’m happy to share that I’ve obtained a new certification: Leading With Purpose Program from Economics of Mutuality Alliance!

It’s been a fantastic 9-week journey around the topics of leadership, purpose and mutuality - and much more ! Great speakers too. Time to apply now and embed in our organizations and in our life ! Carla Henry GMBPsS Saïd Business School, University of Oxford Economics of Mutuality Alliance Yassine El Ouarzazi Alastair Colin-Jones

Looking back on a great 10 weeks with Economics of Mutuality Alliance and a diverse group of peers on "Leading with Purpose". There was a lot to take in around mutuality, purpose-driven leadership, and how we show up for others— all super valuable as I reflect on this year and looking forward to putting it to use. Thanks Carla Henry GMBPsS Alastair Colin-Jones Jyoti Guptara, story strategist and team.

How to be a purpose-driven leader is a question that shows up every day in John Palabrica Jr.’s work at GU Energy Labs - a company built to fuel athletes, while also taking responsibility for the communities and environments that make sport possible. When John joined Leading With Purpose, our virtual executive education program, he was looking for a practical approach to creating positive impact at a strategic level. The program helped him reframe decision-making to better dovetail growth and innovation with responsibility. From how products are designed to how success is defined. If you’re a leader navigating the real tensions between performance, impact, and long-term value creation, this program may resonate with you. Applications are now open. You can download the brochure via the link in the comments.

When Olamide Dauda joined our virtual executive education program, she already had a strong foundation in purpose-driven work. As co-founder and CTO of Impact Pointe, a Nigerian boutique consultancy focused on social impact, and a board member of two non-profits - one in business incubation, the other transforming public education - she brought with her years of experience across policy, agriculture, and development. Still, the program offered something new: the framework, tools, and language to match her vision. Asked to summarize her experience, Olamide said: “It didn’t just teach me something… It shifted my core. And you can’t quantify what that kind of clarity does to a person.” If you’re a leader looking to align your personal values with how you lead, while learning practical tools to create lasting positive impact in challenging contexts, this program may be for you. Applications are now open. You can download the brochure via the link in the comments.

“There’s sometimes an unspoken fear that selling means selling out… But you can be commercial and still do value-based selling. In fact, you have to, if you want your impact to last.” We recently caught up with Hilde Sjo Tavares, Chair of the Board of Directors at BRIGHT Products, a Norwegian company delivering solar-powered solutions to humanitarian settings globally. Hilde joined our Leading With Purpose executive education program last year to tackle an important dilemma: how to grow commercially without compromising on what makes the business meaningful. In this article, we explored how the Economics of Mutuality approach is helping BRIGHT grow from its humanitarian roots into a scalable and resilient business – without losing its purpose. Read the full story 👇

And that’s a wrap… 🎓✨ 🙏🏻A huge thank you to our incredible cohort of senior leaders who joined us over the past 10 weeks for this Autumn’s Economics of Mutuality Alliance – Leading with Purpose Programme. Your curiosity, honesty and courage to rethink what business can be made this programme truly special. 🙏🏻And to our inspirational speakers, tutors, practitioners, Mutual Value Labs team and Saïd Business School, University of Oxford University of Oxford colleagues thank you for sharing your wisdom, your stories and your commitment to shaping a more purposeful, human and sustainable way of doing business. 💡At the heart of our conversations was a simple but powerful idea: The role of a business is to solve meaningful challenges profitably. Performance + Purpose + Sustainability. ⭐This group embraced that challenge wholeheartedly, exploring new ways of leading, thinking systemically and creating mutual value for people, place, planet and profit. 🎇Congratulations!!!! and it has been my privilege to support you along side Alastair Colin-Jones as your Programme Director this year and highlight of my 2025! ✨Here’s to continuing the work and to a future where purpose-led, impact-driven leadership becomes the norm, not the exception. 📸We didn't get everyone who went throught the programme or all the speakers and guest in the final picture, but thanks to everyone who came each week and special thanks for Module 9 attendees all ending the journey together yesterday! :) Sara Poloni Alastair Colin-Jones Yassine El Ouarzazi Ruth Wilkinson Linda Sewe Gianna Goulding Liam Sharkey Marya Hill-Popper Besharov Jyoti Guptara, story strategist Surein de Silva Wijeyeratne Kresse Wesling CBE Charles Wookey #Colinmayer Grant Liversage Gary Clarke Dr S. Jane Craig Kate Skinstad Samantha Rockey Nathalie Seddon A. Sandra Manolescu Deirdre (Dee) Corrigan Tim Dalton Melanie de Nysschen Fabrice Mathieu Sheetal Mehta Patricia Amaro Adesuwa Ojumola. PMP MBA, SPHRi,CSM Carly Santer Etienne Gorce Lynn L. Sarah Pang Emmaline Rogers Caroline Sherman kathleen yeoh Hilde Sjo Tavares Ivana Naumoska Susan Young #EconomicsOfMutuality #LeadingWithPurpose #MutualValueCreation #PurposeDrivenLeadership #AdaptiveLeadership #Sustainability #EoMAlliance

“An unforgettable opportunity to connect with people passionate about making a real impact in their industry or field.” These words were shared by a recent alum of our virtual executive education program, Leading With Purpose. Interested in learning more? Register for our upcoming information session where we’ll walk through the program content and answer your questions. 🗓 26 February 2026 | 10:00–11:00 GMT Speakers: – Gary Clarke: Program Tutor; Founder at 360Resolve; Former GM International Travel Retail at Mars – Deirdre (Dee) Corrigan: Program Alum; Purpose-led consultant focused on leadership and systems change Register via link in the comments 👇 If you’re wondering whether the program is the right fit for your role, contact Liam Sharkey (liam.sharkey@mutualvaluelabs.com) Application deadline: 20 March

Around this time of the year, 4 years ago, I'd received a call to explore a role with Mars. While I'd heard of the company, I took some time to read up about them, and came across their work with 'Economics of Mutuality'. As I kept reading, I was fascinated by the topic - of rethinking a better way to do business that created long-term value for all stakeholders. Given my background in Development Studies and my career in Human Resources, this seemed like a window into synthesizing both worlds. Fast forward to today, I am delighted to share that I completed my certification in the program. This is truly a dream come true. :-) Mars was one of the first organizations to incubate this work, and an early sponsor. What makes me incredibly proud is to see many examples from Royal Canin in how we create mutual value with pet professionals to support the health of cats and dogs. Thanks Natalia Ball for the fantastic sharing! The entire course was very well designed with a balance of classroom sessions & tutor group conversations. The overall course content is comprehensive and powerful, and the speakers were able to share complex ideas in a simple manner. The stellar guest speakers shared many real-life applications, and there was a lot of space to process and assimilate what we heard.. A big thank you to the entire team at Mutual Value Labs and Said Business School for curated learning journey and to the incredible team of participants for the rich discussions.

“Now I see myself and my team as part of a larger ecosystem.” That’s how Ashish Joshi, Senior Director, Cross-segment Supply Chain at Mars Europe, describes his experience as an alumnus of the Economics of Mutuality Oxford Education Program Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. He’s not alone. Over 400 executives have joined this program over the past 8 years, gaining fresh perspectives, leadership skills, and practical tools to drive long-lasting, sustainable change.