Richard Howitt

Richard Howitt is a British Labour Party politician who served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for 22 years, from 1994 to 2016.1 Here are some key details about his career and background:

Political Career

Richard Howitt represented the East of England constituency in the European Parliament.1 During his tenure, he held several significant roles:

• He was a key architect of the EU's Non-Financial Reporting Directive, which is considered one of the most important pieces of legislation on corporate transparency worldwide.2
• Howitt served as the European Parliament's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Rapporteur for four successive terms, shaping EU policy on responsible business conduct.23
• He was an active member of the Labour Party's National Policy Forum from 1994 to 2016.1

Background and Education

Born on April 5, 1961, in Reading, Berkshire, Howitt came from a modest background.1 He:

• Grew up in a single-parent family in a council house
• Attended a comprehensive school
• Graduated with a BA in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford in 1982
• Obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies from the University of Hertfordshire

Post-MEP Career

After leaving the European Parliament in 2016, Howitt took on several roles:

• He became the Chief Executive Officer of the International Integrated Reporting Council.1
• Currently, he serves as a Strategic Advisor on Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability.2
• He is a member of the Advisory Council for amfori - Trade with Purpose.2
• Howitt is also a Senior Associate at Frank Bold, a position he has held since March 2020.2

Throughout his career, Richard Howitt has been recognized as an influential figure in business sustainability, corporate responsibility, and integrated reporting.2