Sustainable business is a priority at Oost NV. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is self-evident. What comes first for us, is what we gain for the environment (planet) and society (people) balanced with a reasonable profit (profit) for entrepreneurs, our clients. OostNV strives for an appropriate balance between these “three P's.”

Innovation and CSR

Investments in innovation are often inseparable from sustainability, energy efficiency and humane working conditions. By encouraging our clients to innovate, we ourselves are also obligated to practice corporate social responsibility. Our central topic of “Healthy People” and focus on Agrofood, LifeSciences and High Tech leads to activities that promote sustainability, such as:
• sustainable energy production in 'biobased' projects;
• innovations in the food industry in ‘Food Future' projects;
• innovation and technology projects for quality affordable health care;
• development of sustainable high-tech materials and systems;
• sustainable reuse of space in business parks, aiming for sustainable energy consumption.

Working with partners

Oost NV’s greatest resource is our people – namely: our project and investment managers. They are conditioned to prod our clients in recognizing and encouraging sustainability. One way is through practical questions, such as, “Are these innovative products reusable or recyclable?” or “Are there alternatives to using pure raw materials?” Another way is to look at the client organization itself. Operational aspects are taken into consideration when working with a client, such as:
- Production methods
- Social policies
- Legal and ethical ramifications

Because helping companies to innovate is our core business, we feel it our mandate to use this expertise to assist our clients in finding sustainable alternatives. And not simply in making general suggestions, but also in finding new partners, suppliers and financing to make these suggestions practical.
 

Internal business operations and CSR
 

Our internal staff at Oost NV is also encouraged to be energy-conscious. Operational practices such as use of printers and photocopiers, use of efficient transportation such as public transportation or carpooling. We follow the Dutch government’s guidelines for sustainable purchasing when working with suppliers. In addition, calculated risk management is an essential part of our business operations. Lastly, we strive to provide all of our employees with an engaging and inclusive work environment by hiring a diverse and balanced workforce.

CSR in reporting
Corporate social responsibility has been an integral part of Oost NV’s financial and business reporting since 2009. The Dutch government provides transparency benchmarks that serve as our targets.  In 2011 we will publish a formal CSR policy statement and a business and vendor code. Slated for 2012 is a separate CSR reporting available on our website.

Corporate Governance Code
Oost NV, where possible, follows the principles of good corporate governance, which is detailed in the so-called Tabaksblatt code. In consultation with the shareholders, we decided to partly give our own specific interpretation to the code as it applies to listed companies.

Are you interested in our vision of corporate governance? Then you can ask for it at Oost NV’s offices in Arnhem and Enschede.