“The role of the CEO has been evolving from profit to purpose. Now, CEOs are expected to have wider reach, to be more interested in the supply chain, in the customer, in the consumer, as well as the staff and the shareholders.”

In this interview, Flora Mutahi notes that the role of the CEO has evolved from profit-focused to purpose-driven, with modern executives needing to balance traditional business concerns with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations. She implements these principles at her Kenyan tea company through sustainability practices, traceability, and initiatives like mentoring women in manufacturing, driven largely by consumer demand for responsible business practices. Key future investment areas include gender equality, decent work, climate change mitigation, and financial infrastructure reform, particularly in regions like Africa. Mutahi emphasizes that business leaders must continue acting as responsible citizens, focusing on positive impact while minimizing environmental damage, with ongoing emphasis on ESG principles and strategic technology investments.