A new report by Sky has shown that idealism is alive in well in the UK’s future business leaders. When quizzed about their views on social responsibility and green ethics, 70% stated that sustainability was not only an ethical choice but also created new opportunities for business. And 66% don’t think that standards should ever be allowed to slip – not even in a recession.

Of course, these ‘future leaders’ have yet to experience the rough and tumble of a public offering or AGM scrap. They are all MBA students, graduate trainees or, at most, corporate middle managers. A few may find that their sensibilities start to waver when earnings are down and a crowd of investors are baying for blood. But it is heartening to see that the ideal of a triple bottom line – profit, people, planet – has actually taken root.

In the eyes of these bright, young things, a company’s products and services can no longer be separated from its reputation: 69% say that a company’s vision and ethics are actually ‘essential’ in building trust. It’s all one big parcel.

And social purpose must go beyond mere lip service – 86% of these leaders of tomorrow are extremely scathing about the efforts currently being made by corporations to ‘greenwash’ their public image. So, not only are Sky’s focus group wedded to the idea of ethical business, they can also spot a faker a mile off.

So what are the key ethical issues on the table? Well, climate change is a biggie, as is community impact. And today’s businesses aren’t making great strides in either. Only 3% of these future leaders believe that enough is being done by the so-called ‘ethical firms’ of today.

Sky CEO Jeremy Darroch believes these findings represent a real turning of the tide: ‘While sustainability has become part of everyday business language, little has been known until now about the views of future leaders,’ he says. ‘This study shows that tomorrow’s business leaders are already engaged with sustainability and see it as an important part of their future careers. In their own words, this is ‘the sustainable generation’ and there is much we can all learn from them.’

All of which sounds entirely proper and beyond reproach. It would interesting to know, however, just how sustainable their commitment to sustainability will turn out to be…

Glass Roof Restoration for Iconic Natural History Museum

Oxford, 14 November, 2011: A conservation team from Beard Oxford is midway through the first phase of a unique project to restore and clean the iron and glass roof of Oxford’s University Museum of Natural History.

Arguably, one of the most significant examples of Victorian neo-Gothic architecture the building has three impressive glass roofs spanning the main exhibition court below, and made up of some 8,500 diamond shaped glass panes.

The painstaking 4-month project, on the first of three roof sections, involves removing and cleaning each pane, repairing any damage before refixing them all with silicone  seals to provide the museum with a long lasting solution to its leaking history.

At the same time, the team are cleaning the ornate ironwork to restore the iconic roof to its original colour scheme.

A key challenge for the team is to keep the weather out while work progresses to protect valuable exhibits and the building structure. A fully waterproof scaffold deck below the working areas is part of the solution helping to catch any water that comes in and minimising dust and dirt.  Externally the whole roof area is covered with temporary sheeting which has been purpose made to exactly for the size and shape of the roof. The priority is to keep the museum open and strong collaboration with museum staff is essential.

Work on the first section of roof is due to be completed at the end of February and if successful, the University plans subsequent phases of work to the remaining two roof sections over the next two years.

Neil Hyatt, Oxford University Estates Directorate, said: “Beard is an excellent choice for this type of technically challenging restoration. Their understanding of our requirements, collaborative approach and wide experience of other museum projects is invaluable.”