Larry Fink’s Annual Letter to CEOs: A Sense of Purpose is causing quite a stir. Here is a collection of reactions collected from across the Twitterverse from members of the SOCAP community.
Jean Case
This is #leadership : “To prosper over time, every company must not only deliver financial performance, but also show how it makes a positive contribution to society.” — Larry Fink #impinv @blackrock @andrewrsorkin https://t.co/5IOdvwjV0S
— Jean Case (@jeancase) January 17, 2018
Steve Case
.@BlackRock’s Message: Contribute to Society, or Risk Losing Our Support https://t.co/qzUsb7MXfw “Society is demanding that companies, both public and private, serve a social purpose” @andrewrsorkin #ImpInv #SocEnt pic.twitter.com/BIhqvZlvFw
— Steve Case (@SteveCase) January 16, 2018
Astrid Scholz
All companies, all investments have impacts—good or bad. This move by @blackrock makes accounting for them a requirement. #impinv #BillionsToTrillions https://t.co/SJzBRmf7KP
— Astrid Scholz (@ajscholz) January 17, 2018
Ross Baird
Blackrock just did one thing that changes the game for *anyone* who invests: https://t.co/PFs6ZL1mHb
— Ross Baird (@rossbaird) January 17, 2018
Cathy Clark
It’s an honor to work among this amazing tribe of #impinv pioneers and I’m grateful for your thoughtful post @KatieDrasser Lots of men to add to this list as well- too many to tweet. What interesting times we live in! #impinv https://t.co/lVc7uPQcLn
— Cathy Clark #impinv (@cathyhc) January 18, 2018
Fran Seegull
Game changer! Letter from @blackrock CEO: Contribute to Society, or Risk Losing Our Support #impinv #ESG https://t.co/8NwB6Dzzr5
— Fran Seegull #impinv (@franseegull) January 16, 2018
Antony Bugg-Levine
This seems like a legitimate #impinv BFD, no? @theGIIN @Lenny_Mendonca @stephendeberry @jasonascott @franseegull @nickalee76 @i3impact @ImpactInSight @ImpactInvestor @darrenwalker https://t.co/VCseASOVD0
— Antony Bugg-Levine (@ABLImpact) January 17, 2018
Matthew Weatherley-White
1/2
I’ll go with Zhou Enlai’s (likely apocryphal) reply when asked for this thoughts on the French Revolution: “Too soon to tell.”My bet: a watershed moment that captures the zeitgeist of the current capital markets evolution… but takes time to penetrate. https://t.co/l5vPLzRQ22
— Matthew Weatherley-W (@i3impact) January 17, 2018
2/2
Most important is that this is the *asset management* side of the biz talking about deep corporate responsibility. Not activists. Not marketing mavens. Not CSR folks. And not the usual SRI/ESG suspects.So, yes, a BFD even if we see precious little immediate traction. https://t.co/l5vPLzRQ22
— Matthew Weatherley-W (@i3impact) January 17, 2018
Meghan French Dunbar
This is HUGE! Thank you @Blackrock for your leadership! https://t.co/ef1bXSgXKd From one of the most influential investors of our time, “Contribute to society or risk losing our support.” #TippingPoint #Impact #SocialResponsibility
— Meghan French Dunbar (@MegFrenchDunbar) January 17, 2018
Tony Loyd
Here is an urgent question for every executive team and board of directors: “If we focus on shareholders to the exclusion of other stakeholders, is that a sustainable business model?” This letter from @blackrock is a clear answer. https://t.co/SlkYYvI9bN
— Tony Loyd (@TonyLoyd) January 17, 2018
Bridges Fund Management
Encouraging move from @BlackRock CEO Larry Fink! Making and measuring impact will soon be the norm https://t.co/pj0GGTxKnz
— Bridges Fund Mgmt. (@BridgesFundMgmt) January 17, 2018
Sonya Dreizler
TY to Larry Fink and @BlackRock for using your enormous market share to drive positive change. Looking forward to seeing the concrete steps you’ll take to ensure board diversity in your investment companies. Via @nytimes #ImpactInvesting #ESG #ImpInv https://t.co/6iITYQAUBq pic.twitter.com/akgfwl26nr
— Sonya Dreizler (@SonyaDreizler) January 17, 2018
