Leaders in Action: Avasant | Unlocking Business Value Through Human-Rights Due Diligence

In an era when corporate responsibility and sustainable business practices are increasingly shaping market trust and long-term value, companies recognize that respect for human rights has become a defining marker of business leadership. Organizations that invest in human capital and human rights practices consistently outperform their peers, with large-scale studies showing direct links between responsible labor practices, stronger ESG performance, and long-term financial resilience. 

Moreover, the business case for human-rights due diligence is underscored by the growing data on the gap and associated risks across global businesses. A recent benchmark of the 2,000 most influential companies worldwide found that only 6% fully meet core human rights due diligence indicators, meaning more than 80% have yet to implement the fundamental steps of identifying, assessing, and addressing human rights risks. This disparity highlights both the urgency and the opportunity for companies seeking to lead. 

The Business and Human Rights Accelerator offers companies a strategic opportunity to catalyze concrete action on human rights and labor standards. The program equips companies with a structured pathway to embed human rights due diligence into their operations, guiding participants through impact assessments, stakeholder engagement, and the development of actionable plans to prevent, mitigate, and remediate human rights risks across their value chains. 

In this edition, we spotlight Avasant, a recent participant in the program. For a global consulting and advisory firm whose work shapes supply chains, technology decisions, and strategic transformations for clients worldwide, proactively strengthening its human rights due diligence approach is both a strategic necessity and a business advantage. Through the Accelerator, Avasant gained tools to anticipate and manage risks not only within its own operations but also throughout the networks of clients and partners it influences. 

Here is how they leveraged the program: 

‍

1. What motivated Avasant to participate in the Business & Human Rights Accelerator, and what specific objectives did you aim to achieve through the program? 

Avasant’s decision to join the Business & Human Rights Accelerator stemmed from a growing recognition that human-rights due diligence is becoming a critical expectation across global procurement and sourcing landscapes. As a firm operating at the intersection of technology, global labor markets, and complex supply chains, Avasant recognized a need to deepen its understanding of potential human rights risks embedded in its own operations and in the systems, it advises clients on. The company recognized emerging regulatory pressures, heightened stakeholder scrutiny, and the rising need for responsible sourcing frameworks; all of which signaled that now was the right moment to strengthen internal capacities and formalize due diligence practices. Moving from broad awareness to structured action became a strategic priority. 

Through the Accelerator, Avasant aimed to establish a robust and repeatable human rights due diligence process aligned with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The company sought to identify and address salient risks across its operations and supply chain, implement targeted action plans, expand industry influence through research and thought leadership, and connect with a community of peers and experts to help solve persistent barriers in responsible procurement. Internal research and publications such as Procurement Alchemy: Turning Compliance into Human Rights Gold underscore the company’s commitment to using these insights to drive measurable progress. 

2. How has participating in the Accelerator facilitated your company's transition from understanding human rights principles to implementing actionable strategies within your operations and reporting?  

The Accelerator served as a catalyst that moved Avasant from a conceptual understanding to the operational integration of human rights principles. Before joining the program, the company had a strong awareness of global human rights expectations. However, it sought clearer frameworks and practical tools to translate those expectations into day-to-day decision-making. 

As a result, Avasant adopted more rigorous risk-assessment methodologies, expanded its supplier engagement activities, and introduced human rights training. The company also strengthened its governance structure and aligned its reporting to international standards, ensuring transparency and consistent monitoring of progress. These efforts have helped embed human-rights due diligence across the business, making it a repeatable and measurable component of operations rather than a theoretical commitment. 

3. Could you share an example of a specific initiative or change within your company that resulted from insights gained during the Accelerator? 

One notable initiative inspired by the Accelerator was Avasant’s enhanced approach to supplier engagement and compliance. Through the program, the company gained new insight into how suppliers could carry human-rights exposure points that required more proactive oversight. This realization prompted the development of a more structured supplier-assessment process that now integrates human-rights considerations into onboarding, evaluations, and touchpoints. 

The initiative quickly translated into measurable results. Avasant has seen improved supplier responsiveness to compliance requirements, stronger gender-parity tracking, expanded support for diversity hiring, and increased employee awareness of their roles in upholding human rights standards. These actions not only strengthen Avasant’s internal operations but also reinforce the company’s broader SDG-aligned commitments. 

4. Reflecting on your experience, what advice would you offer to other companies considering joining the Business & Human Rights Accelerator, and how can they maximize the benefits of the program? 

For companies considering the Accelerator, the most critical first step is securing leadership buy-in for human rights due diligence from the start. A cross-functional approach that brings together procurement, operations, legal, HR, and sustainability teams ensures that insights gained throughout the program translate into actionable change rather than isolated knowledge. Active participation in the program’s workshops and peer exchanges will help companies refine their strategies and learn from others navigating similar challenges. 

To maximize the program’s value, companies should enter with a willingness to be transparent about their gaps and deliberate about their goals. Leveraging the Accelerator’s tools, expert guidance, and community support can accelerate progress and help convert commitments into measurable outcomes. The organizations that benefit most are those that treat the Accelerator as a catalyst for building stronger, more resilient, and more responsible business practices. 

Integrating human-rights due diligence into core business processes through a structured program like this accelerator is a strategic investment in risk management, workforce resilience, client trust, and long-term competitiveness. As expectations evolve and scrutiny intensifies across industries, companies that proactively embed these principles are better equipped to navigate emerging risks and maintain resilience. 

Avasant’s participation underscores this shift. Their commitment demonstrates an understanding that protecting human rights strengthens the very operational and advisory systems on which their clients depend. By strengthening its HRDD, Avasant positioned itself among the firms that not only meet expectations but also help set the pace for responsible and progressive business. 

For companies seeking to advance their human rights journey, the Business & Human Rights Accelerator offers a proven pathway from intention to implementation. Through expert guidance, practical frameworks, and peer learning, the program empowers leaders to build the processes that stakeholders, from investors to employees to customers, increasingly expect. Learn more about the Business & Human Rights Accelerator and how your organization.