“People want to do the right thing. We want to have a positive impact. We want to work in a place that does good things."

Sustainability is no longer a niche concern—it has become central to how businesses operate and thrive. At Hays, a global leader in recruitment and talent services, sustainability is deeply embedded in its strategy, ensuring that its people, clients, and communities benefit from a responsible and forward-thinking approach. Leading this agenda is Kirsty Green-Mann, Group Head of Sustainability at Hays, who brings over 20 years of expertise in corporate responsibility, ESG strategies, and multi-stakeholder partnerships.

In this conversation, Kirsty shares her journey from mining engineering to corporate sustainability, discusses how Hays integrates sustainability into its operations and highlights the evolving role of recruitment in driving a greener and more inclusive workforce.

A Career Rooted in Adaptability and Responsibility

Kirsty's path to sustainability leadership was shaped by a diverse career spanning engineering, corporate responsibility, and business strategy. Originally trained as a mining engineer, she gained first-hand experience in an industry that unexpectedly served as a solid base for her career in sustainability. "Interestingly, extractive industries had to lead on sustainability because of their significant social and environmental impact," she explained.

Her transition into the corporate world led her to roles in product development, quality management, and eventually corporate affairs. It was during this period that she was tasked with reviewing a company’s corporate responsibility strategy, an assignment that sparked her passion for sustainability. From there, she spent a decade as Group Head of Corporate Responsibility at Imperial Brands before moving into the legal and professional services sector, demonstrating how sustainability principles apply across industries.

Embedding Sustainability into Hays' Core Strategy

Hays, as a global recruitment and talent solutions provider, places people at the heart of its sustainability framework. According to Kirsty, ESG isn’t an add-on—it’s part of what businesses should do daily. “As a people business, the social aspect of ESG is naturally a priority for us,” she said. Hays' framework focuses on key pillars: environmental with climate action, ethical governance including responsible supply chains, and social impact in terms a focus on own people and wider community.

A major priority for the company has been its science-based climate targets, which aim to drive emissions reduction across its operations. “We were one of the first in our industry to commit to science-based targets,” Kirsty shared. Since setting its baseline in 2020, Hays has already achieved a 27% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions.

Beyond environmental action, Hays is strengthening its approach to human rights and ethical supply chains. Partnering with the Slave-Free Alliance, the company has taken steps to adopt best practices in mitigating modern slavery risks. “Having a ‘critical friend’ to challenge and support us has been instrumental in improving our approach,” she said.

Engaging Employees to Drive Impact

Sustainability efforts at Hays are not confined to boardrooms—they are embedded throughout the organisation. One of the company’s flagship initiatives is its Helping for your tomorrow community programme, which encourages employees to engage in inclusive employment initiatives. “Around 41% of our colleagues have actively participated in volunteering programmes,” Kirsty noted. The initiative provides employees with various opportunities such as  mentoring individuals facing employment barriers, reinforcing Hays’ purpose-driven approach.

To further employee engagement, Hays organises events around key dates, such as Earth Day, where teams take part in activities like environmental volunteering and office-based sustainability swaps. “It’s about making sustainability part of the everyday experience at work,” Kirsty said.

The Recruitment Sector’s Role in a Sustainable Future

As businesses worldwide look to transition to a low-carbon economy, the recruitment industry plays a crucial role in bridging green skills gaps. Hays supports clients in finding talent and considering other solutions such as upskilling their workforce for a more sustainable future. “We operate across 20 industries, which allows us to align our work with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), accelerating impact at scale,” Kirsty explained.

The increasing regulatory focus on ESG is also shaping the sector. “Transparency requirements are growing, and businesses must prepare for deeper disclosures and due diligence, particularly in supply chains,” she highlighted. Kirsty also sees artificial intelligence as an emerging tool for sustainability, with potential applications in risk mapping and supply chain visibility.

Leading with Purpose: A Call to Action

For Kirsty, purpose is central to making sustainability work. “Hays’ purpose—investing in partnerships and empowering people to succeed—aligns perfectly with a sustainability mindset,” she said. She believes that real impact comes from harnessing individuals’ passions, understanding that more often than not people will   do the right thing and embedding it within an organisation’s strategy.

Reflecting on her career, she acknowledges that change can be slow, but progress is undeniable. “Twenty years ago, sustainability professionals had to knock and scream on doors to be heard. Now, we are being rushed to the table. That’s a sign of progress.”

When asked what she would say to those who believe change isn’t possible, her answer was simple: “Look at history. We’ve overcome challenges before, and we will again. People can change their behaviour when needed—we’ve seen it. Change is absolutely possible.”

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This is part of our ChangeLeaders interview series with impact leaders sharing their journeys, learnings, and lessons. If you are a ChangeLeader we should interview, please email us at info@wemakechange.org.

Interview & Article: James Sancto & Laura De Alba