16: Are businesses and investors really serious about improving our health? – with Catherine Howarth and John Godfrey

Those of us working in health often focus on the government as the main agent to get things done, especially when it comes to public health. But think of all the others out there with power, particularly commercial and investment power. 

There are signs that businesses and institutional investors do seem to be getting more interested in health, with some businesses starting to consider their impact on health in their environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting.

Are we now at a turning point? Or is interest in health temporary? If businesses and investors really want to improve health, how do they best move forward? And can government do more to support them?

Our Chief Executive Dr Jennifer Dixon discusses this with expert guests:

Catherine Howarth joined ShareAction as Chief Executive in 2008. ShareAction coordinates civil society activism to promote responsible investment across Europe. Catherine also serves on HM Treasury's Asset Management Taskforce. 

John Godfrey joined Legal & General in 2006 and is now Director of Corporate Affairs. John has worked in the City of London for over 30 years and from 2016-17 worked at Number Ten Downing Street as Head of Policy for Prime Minister Theresa May. 

Show notes

APPG on Longevity, Levelling up health, (April 2021)

British Academy: The Future of the Corporation programme and reports Policy & Practice for Purposeful Business (2021), Principles for Purposeful Business (2019) and Reforming business for the 21st century (2018)

Business for Health, Business Framework for Health: Supporting businesses and employers in their role to enhance and level up the health of the nation (October 2021)

Health Foundation, Using economic development to improve health and reduce health inequalities (2020)

Institute of Health Equity, Health Equity in England: The Marmot Review 10 Years On (2020)

ShareAction, Health: An Untapped Asset – How investors can strengthen returns by improving health outcomes (September 2021)