Stakeholder Capitalism – Update for Directors and GCs

A lot has recently been written about a company’s purpose and its obligations to stakeholders, of which its shareholders are but one component. There is now a widespread expectation that directors will engage clearly and transparently with all stakeholders and not just pay lip service to their company’s goals regarding environmental and other matters. Directors have always had to aspire to achieve social responsibility and shareholder value but must they now balance equally the creation of long-term shareholder value with the delivery of value to all stakeholders?