Day 1: Time

Session

09:30 – 10:00

Welcome and Opening Remarks

• Introducing workshop objectives and structure
• Understanding participants’ learning goals

10:00 – 11:15

SME Landscape and Sustainability Imperatives

• SME Business Overview and Sector Breakdown
• Sustainability Risks and Opportunities for SMEs
• SME ESG Pressures and Regulatory Drivers
• Challenges Faced by SMEs in Embedding Sustainability into Core Business Operations
• Sustainable Finance, and Government Incentives Available for SMEs

11:15 – 12:45

Lunch

12:45 – 14:45

Strategic Services for SMEs

• Sustainability Reporting and ESG Assurances
• Carbon Accounting and Scope 1, 2, 3 Data Verification
• Sustainability Data Management and Analysis
• Climate Risk Assessment and Management
• Decarbonisation Opportunities and Carbon Credits
• ESG-related Legal and Regulatory Services

14:45 – 15:15

Afternoon Break

15:15 – 16:30

Pitching Professional Services to SMEs: Building Trust, Value, and ESG Readiness

• Understanding Your Clients
• Crafting Your Value Proposition
• Structuring the Pitch
• Relationship Building and Potential Further Services Offering

16:30 – 17:00

Preparation Session for Day 3 Case Study: the ESG Opportunity - Crafting a Professional Services Pitch for SMEs

• Group Formation & Role Assignment

17:00 – 17:30

Wrap-up and Q&A

• Recap of key learnings from the day
• Q&A

Day 2 Morning: Time

Session

09:00 – 09:15

Recap and Warm-Up

• Recap of key learnings from yesterday
• Introducing workshop structure for today

09:15 – 10:15

ESG x Cybersecurity

• Common Cybersecurity Threats & Risks
• Practical Cybersecurity Measures
• Bridging ESG and Cybersecurity

10:15 – 10:30

Morning Break

10:30 – 11:30

Innovation in ESG Advisory for SMEs: Tools, Tech & Trends

• Digital tools for ESG data collection, governance and reporting
• AI and analytics in ESG risk assessment
• Case examples of tech-enabled ESG advisory for SMEs

11:30 – 12:00

Preparation Session for Day 3 Case Study: the ESG Opportunity - Crafting a Professional Services Pitch for SMEs

• Review and clarify the case study prompt

12:15 – 12:30

Wrap-up and Q&A

• Recap of key learnings from the day
• Q&A

Day 3 Morning: Time

Session

09:00 – 09:15

Recap and Warm-Up

• Recap of key learnings from yesterday
• Introducing workshop structure for today

09:15 – 11:00

Case Study: the ESG Opportunity - Crafting a Professional Services Pitch for SMEs

• Participants will be grouped into cross-functional teams comprising accounting and legal professionals. Each team will collaborate to develop a tailored ESG service proposal for a fictional SME client from a specific sector.

Teams will present a concise pitch that demonstrates their understanding of the client’s business context, ESG challenges, and the professional services best suited to address those pain points.

11:00 – 11:15

Morning Break

11:15 – 12:15

Panel Discussion: The Future of ESG Advisory for SMEs

Discussion Topics:

• How SMEs are responding to ESG pressures and opportunities
• Common challenges in implementing ESG strategies
• Role of professional services in enabling SME sustainability
• Innovations in ESG advisory and technology
• What SMEs expect from their advisors in the next 3–5 years

12:15 – 12:30

Wrap-up and Q&A

• Recap of key learnings from the day
• Resources for continued learning
• Final Q&A and closing remarks