Lance Y. Gokongwei Appointed to GRI Board

Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. Chairman Lance Y. Gokongwei has joined the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Board as a representative of the business enterprise sector, effective January 1, 2020. GRI is a pioneer in developing sustainability reporting standards used by companies around the world. He will serve a term of three years, and with the rest of the board, oversee the organization’s work to increase and strengthen sustainability disclosures by companies around the world, helping them communicate how they contribute towards sustainable development.

Gokongwei is joined by Eelco van der Enden, a partner at PwC from the Netherlands, and Jessica Fries, executive chair of The Prince’s Accounting for Sustainability (A4S) project from the UK, both representing mediating institutions; and Jyrki Raina, a global industrial relations expert from Finland representing labor organizations.

Eric Hespenheide, Chairman of the GRI Board, said: “GRI provides international leadership through our mission to develop global standards for disclosure of economic, environmental and social performance. I am excited to welcome four new directors to the Board. Collectively and individually they will add a lot of knowledge and experience to GRI and their appointments continue to demonstrate our independent and multi-stakeholder approach.

GRI chief executive Tim Mohin added: “The appointments of Lance, Eelco, Jessica and Jyrki bring fresh perspectives and expertise and I look forward to working with them to advance sustainability reporting.”

With the addition of the four new directors, GRI’s 15-member Board will include 13 nationalities from North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. GRI’s governance also has representation from five constituency groups–business enterprise, labor organizations, mediating institutions, investment, and civil society.