Daryl Brewster is recounting a discussion about children’s nutrition and the safe use of ingredients at a board meeting of the US food giant Nabisco. It was back in 2004 and as president he was trying to make the biscuits, and other products, healthier.
However, one of the directors wanted him to keep the company focused solely on making biscuits, and making money for shareholders. Ultimately changes were made, including the removal of trans fatty acids and the introduction of more transparent labelling.
In the near-two decades since, the nature of business leadership has changed and companies are increasingly speaking out on social and political issues, from nutrition to climate change and diversity.
Just making money is “not the opportunity anymore”, says Mr Brewster, who now runs Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose, which helps many of the world’s biggest companies craft their messages on these issues.