Spearheading Positive Change

In an exclusive interview with Andrea Solti, President of the Hungarian Business Leaders Forum (HBLF) and Country Chair of Shell Hungary Plc., Diplomacy&Trade explores HBLF's commitment to championing social causes and promoting diversity and equality in the business sector. With a focus on HBLF's involvement in the European Diversity Month, she sheds light on the initiatives and programs undertaken to create a future that belongs to everyone.

Throughout its 30-year history, HBLF has centered its efforts on relevant and forward-looking topics that hold significance for the Hungarian business sector and its member companies, Andrea Solti, HBLF President and Country Chair of Shell Hungary Plc., told the latest issue Diplomacy&Trade in an interview. The executive emphasized the organization's commitment to thought leadership, value creation, and making a positive economic and social impact. “Our mission is creating a future that belongs to everyone. Diversity and inclusion are important pillars of that mission,” she said.

European Diversity Month
The HBLF, which represents the European Diversity Charter in Hungary, has been actively participating in the European Diversity Month for the past three years. The European Diversity Month embodies the EU's long-term commitment for diverse workplaces and inclusive societies. Organized during the month of May under the motto ‘United in Diversity’, the initiative aims to raise awareness about the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and across our societies. The European Commission’s goal is to celebrate organizations’ efforts that help build equal and inclusive environments for all. As an invited speaker at the opening ceremony of the European Diversity Month, Andrea Solti presented the positive strides made by HBLF and Diversity Charter Hungary. She emphasized the importance of leadership commitment, visibility and consistent policies that support diversity at every level, from recruitment to leadership development. She highlighted best practices from companies like Tesco and Shell on their approaches to diversity reporting and promoting family-friendly employment policies. The executive showed a powerful video featuring 100 Hungarian CEOs joining the "Let's Give Women Also Endless Opportunities" campaign, exemplifying the essence of this year's Diversity Month motto. “We are very proud that HBLF was invited to deliver a speech at the event. I believe that this invitation is a recognition that we have a positive story in the Hungarian business sector: HBLF and Diversity Charter Hungary organized the second highest number of events in 2022 in Europe and our programs are highly appreciated on EU level,” Andrea Solti explained.

Empowering Women
Gender equality is a core focus for HBLF and many of the events organized as part of the Diversity Month are centered on this topic. Some of HBLF’s most notable campaigns and programs, launched over the years, have also been designed to promote gender equality in Hungary, Andrea Solti emphasized the organization's response to the EU directive on gender balance on corporate boards. Under the law adopted last November, listed companies will need to have 33% of the underrepresented sex among all directors by 2026.
In line with this, HBLF launched the ‘CEOs for Balance’ initiative, pairing 12 CEOs (six women and six men) to work together as ambassadors for gender balance. Complementing this initiative, HBLF's Executive X Mentor program supports the development of women leaders aspiring to board positions. The program's success is evident with over 150 participants enrolling this year. “Visible leadership commitment is crucial for fostering diversity and gender equality in the Hungarian business sector. The CEOs for Balance program is a great example of this,” Andrea Solti said. She added that sustained efforts and a multi-faceted approach are necessary, acknowledging that change cannot be achieved overnight. While Hungary currently lags with only around 10% female board representation, Andrea Solti stressed the dedication of CEOs from HBLF member organizations to support gender equality initiatives. The increasing number of organizations joining the Diversity Charter also exemplifies the commitment and interest within the Hungarian business sector.
For the HBLF President, social responsibility extends beyond the confines of individual companies; it means leaders must take responsibility for broader economic and social topics. The ROMASTER talent care program, launched by HBLF in 2007 to promote tertiary education and language skills within Roma society, serves as a prime example of this commitment. “There is a need for broad collaboration and impactful programs to progress toward a world where leadership and decision-making bodies mirror the composition of society,” Andrea Solti concluded.