78: Sustainability reporting: why is it important and what do finance teams need to know

78: Sustainability reporting: why is it important and what do finance teams need to know

February 25, 2026 · 31 min · Episode 78

About this episode

The episode discusses the importance of sustainability reporting for finance teams and its implications for year-end accounts.

In this episode, we explore why sustainability reporting is now a board-level priority and why finance leaders must take an active role. Kat Ridley, policy manager at the HFMA, is joined by William Hughes, director and climate & nature sustainability services lead at Forvis Mazars, and Wendy Cheeseman, head of sustainability and carbon management at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, to discuss the updated HFMA sustainability reporting briefing and what it means for organisations preparing their year-end accounts. They address common misconceptions, the impact of Phase 3 TCFD reporting, and the growing importance of climate-related scenario modelling for finance teams. The conversation highlights the risks of disengagement, the benefits of integrating sustainability into financial decision-making, and the practical steps finance leaders should take ahead of the 2025/26 year end to ensure robust reporting. You can find the policy briefing here.

People in this episode

Host: Kat Ridley

Guests: William Hughes, Wendy Cheeseman

Topics covered

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Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: HFMA, Forvis Mazars, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

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