Cases

VPK Group

Sustainability reporting

Challenge:

VPK Group is an international manufacturing company specialized in sustainable packaging solutions. Sustainability is at the core of their business model, and they have been leading in this topic for many years. The company publishes annual sustainability reports to keep stakeholders informed of its progress. With the introduction of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), however, the bar had to be raised significantly. To ensure compliance with the new European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), VPK needed to strengthen its reporting framework with a new structure, enhanced ESG data collection, and additional qualitative content.

Approach:

In close collaboration with the Group Sustainability Manager and the Group Marketing & Communication Manager, we supported VPK in creating a report that is both compliant and engaging:

• Data & coverage: we worked with topic owners to collect and validate ESG data across all material topics, ensuring full coverage of mandatory ESRS metrics.
• Internal accountability: for the qualitative content workflows with content owners were set up to streamline collaboration and reporting.
• Compliance & storytelling: we ensured all mandatory ESRS datapoints were addressed, while highlighting tangible case studies of sustainability initiatives across teams.
• Clarity: mandatory tables were balanced with insightful graphs and abstract concepts, such as the business model and value chain, were visualized in infographics.

The result:

The outcome was a sustainability report that goes beyond compliance — clear, ambitious, and credible to both internal and external stakeholders.

Viktoriya Bakhtina, Group Sustainability Manager, says: "This isn't just another report — it's a bold leap forward in how we share our sustainability journey. With greater clarity, ambition, and accountability, we're setting a new standard for ourselves and the industry."

VGD

ESG strategy

Challenge:

VGD is a multinational service company specialized in accountancy, tax, financial, legal, and HR services. Sustainability is embedded in its vision and strategy, and a motivated internal team had already developed a first sustainability action plan. To strengthen this foundation, VGD wanted a strategy that would be fully supported by key stakeholders — employees, clients, and others — while also aligning with the requirements of the CSRD. For this, they sought support in conducting a double materiality assessment.

Approach:

A tangible sustainability strategy needs to focus on a limited number of ESG topics that are highly relevant (material) to both the company and its stakeholders. We guided VGD through its double materiality process by:

• Engaging stakeholders through surveys and individual interviews to capture diverse perspectives.
• Facilitating leadership workshops with VGD's senior management to align priorities and strategic direction.
• Consolidating insights into a clear list of the most important ESG topics, forming the foundation of VGD's sustainability strategy.

The result:

The double materiality assessment enabled VGD to sharpen its focus on what truly matters.

• Stakeholder insights provided a clear view of external expectations and internal priorities.
• Active leadership involvement ensured buy-in and commitment at the highest level.

With a solid framework in place, VGD is now well-positioned to lead by example and drive meaningful change in its sector.

Poppies Bakeries

Inhouse sustainability coordinator

Challenge:

Poppies Bakeries is a multinational food company specializing in sweet bakery products, with a strong focus on creating maximum value for its customers. Sustainability is high on the agenda of their retail customers. At first, sustainability requirements were handled primarily by the quality department, but management decided to adopt a proactive approach — one aligned with the DNA of Poppies. They asked us to step in as a part-time sustainability coordinator.

Approach:

In this long-term assignment, we guided Poppies Bakeries through several key steps in their sustainability journey:

• Governance: we established an effective governance structure. For each strategic ESG topic, a dedicated workstream and topic owner were appointed to define and execute action plans. A quarterly steering committee with senior management ensured rigorous follow-up.
• Data & KPIs: we built a robust ESG data collection process and KPI dashboarding system, enabling quarterly reviews and fact-based decision-making.
• Reporting: results were consolidated and communicated transparently in an annual sustainability report.
• CSRD readiness: when CSRD requirements emerged, we involved management, employees, and external stakeholders in an audit-proof double materiality assessment. We also performed a gap analysis to align the sustainability report with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).
• Capability building: to ensure continuity, we trained two internal colleagues (from marketing and finance) in sustainability coordination and ESG data management, preparing them to fully take over.

The result:

Poppies Bakeries successfully transformed its sustainability approach from reactive to proactive by embedding ESG into the heart of its business.

• Topic owners drove the execution of sustainability initiatives.
• ESG data and KPI dashboards enabled senior management to track progress effectively.
• The double materiality assessment and CSRD gap analysis positioned the company for full CSRD compliance.
• Internal training ensured in-house expertise and ownership for the next phase of the journey.

Patrick Reekmans, CEO of Poppies Bakeries, says: "An is a sustainability professional with outstanding technical expertise. Next to that, she brings passion and persistence. She is a strong communicator who speaks the language of her stakeholders and constructively engages with them to get the sustainability job done, despite many other priorities. An has built solid foundations for the sustainability program at Poppies Bakeries, on which we can now further build."

Agoria

Sustainability training

Challenge:

Agoria is the Belgian sector federation for technology companies. It has more than 2000 technology companies from the manufacturing industry and the digital and telecom sectors among its members, 70% of which are SMEs. Many of the SME members are interested in composing a sustainability report but lack the knowledge on how to take the first steps. Agoria asked to set up a learning network on voluntary sustainability reporting for SMEs.

Approach:

Together, we developed "VSME Connect", a learning network" to guide SMEs step by step through the implementation of the Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for SMEs (VSME). Over five practical and highly interactive sessions, participants received a hands-on roadmap to make sustainability reporting both understandable and actionable.

The result:

Through this program, participating SMEs were able to:

• Understand the VSME: gain clarity on what the standard entails and how to comply.
• Apply the VSME immediately: work with a practical roadmap tailored to SMEs.
• Learn from practice: draw inspiration from relevant case studies and peer experiences.
• Connect and exchange expertise: build networks with fellow SMEs on the same journey.

Barbara Peene, Expert Sustainability Reporting for SMEs, says: "Working with An was a real advantage for our members. With her direct experience as sustainability manager, she brought a very practical, hands-on approach. The training wasn't just about theory — our SMEs left with concrete tools & examples and the confidence to start applying sustainability reporting in their company."