Trapper and Ikano Insight join hands for ESG-centric consultancy service

Trapper Group has partnered Ikano Insight to provide consultancy and advanced analytics services for ESG-centric transformation practices. Both companies will jointly provide expertise such as machine learning and IoT practices for tracking and optimisation, big data analytics and visualisation, sustainability framework and measurement consultation, as well as internalisation and go-to-market strategies.

According to Trapper, this will enable and empower businesses to evolve their sustainability practices in order to meet internal ESG targets in a transparent, accountable, and accurate manner using data. The agency sees the opportunity to grow and contribute to the ESG space by way of consulting and marketing services that help companies embark on a true transformation.

This comes as the Malaysian government announced its ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, as detailed in its 12th Malaysia Plan (2021-2025). The government also showed in its recent 2023 budget that it plans to develop a high level of green commitment and investment.

Trapper Group's CEO Sue-Anne Lim told A+M that while there are plenty of ESG consultancies that help on ESG financial reporting globally, there is none that is set up like the offering which Trapper and Ikano Insight has. According to her, the team sets small to large ESG goals and complements that with change management and communications programme.

"We have had a lot of conversations with our clients where the topic of ESG comes into the picture and they are unsure about it. Us partnering with Ikano Insight can help them to be sure about it," she said. Lim also reckons that at least 20% of its existing clients have already embarked on this path one way or another. Hence, the team wants to be able to provide more value to them as their business partner because it understands the importance of this change, not just for the company but for society in general.

Lim said that it wants companies to walk the talk with a specified timeline. According to her, Ikano Insight specialises in advanced retail and sustainability analytics, supporting businesses such as IKEA for over 10 years. She said that it is the perfect partner because data-first sustainability practices are in the DNA of the Ikano Group.

"Together, we are able to onboard clients to a clearly defined sustainability plan that is measured and transparent, ensure the corresponding cultural transformation to drive internal accountability, and last but not least, empower them to go to market responsibly to achieve the intended growth," she added.

Meanwhile, ST Chua, Ikano Insights' regional director of Southeast Asia, said there are two parts to a successful ESG plan — one is having the right goals and measurement, and the other is a strong change management plan.

"Ikano Insight harnesses data, technology and advanced analytics to define, measure, visualise and deliver actionable insights for businesses to know how every part of the business is doing against its target. We see Trapper as a complementary partner to offer a holistic change management plan for clients," he added.

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