Heightened focus on people and governance will support the company’s effort to run world-leading licensing programmes that power innovation 

By Matteo Morroi 

As an independent European business, values like sustainability, social responsibility and good governance have always been part of Sisvel’s DNA, guiding the way we do business. As part of a new initiative we are unveiling today, we are taking a step further by integrating corporate sustainability considerations into our operational strategy in a more formal way. 

This effort will ensure that environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations remain embedded in our strategy for running licensing programmes and other initiatives that power innovation.  

Social impact 

The European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requires large companies and listed firms to regularly assess the impact their businesses have on people and the natural world, as well as risks and opportunities they face from social and environmental issues.  

Under current plans set out in the EU Omnibus Simplification Package, Sisvel likely would not be subject to reporting obligations. As a business, though, we have taken the decision to begin reporting under the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) anyway. We believe it will strengthen our operations and build confidence among the clients and partners of all sizes with whom we work. 

Throughout the first half of 2025, we have carried out an intensive process to scope out our value chain, speak with internal and external stakeholders and identify the ESG topics that are most material to our business operations. This has involved taking a close look at both how Sisvel impacts society and the environment and how outside developments affect us.  

As the year continues, we will work further to define the key issues, identify gaps, develop compliance policies and procedures and begin data collection and monitoring. This will ultimately produce a set of results which, like our financial figures, will be reported to management, our board and external auditors. 

Two emerging issues 

We are still at the early stages of this effort, but two topics have emerged as initial areas of focus that are highly relevant to the business we are in. 

The first is people. Patent licensing and pool management are about relationships, market knowledge, dealmaking savvy and technical expertise. That means our employees are the lifeblood of the business. Sisvel’s continued success depends on our ability to offer attractive roles for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), legal and business talents across our operations in Europe, as well as in both the US and Asia.  Sustainability reporting will help us keep sight of this fact through a focus on issues including recruitment, training and development, health and wellbeing and diversity.  

The second is governance. We work with dozens of partners to ensure our licensing programmes help technology products reach the market while rewarding innovators. Our success has been built on our ability to build and maintain trust among a wide variety of companies from different countries and with different interests. Our reporting will cover areas including board structure and independence, corporate ethics culture and management practices. We will also be taking a close look at Sisvel’s ability to manage risks and deal with change to ensure business continuity. 

Sisvel has a history of more than 40 years in Europe and beyond. We are proud of the corporate culture and values we have developed, and we believe they have been fundamental to our accomplishments. Tracking our ESG impact in a more systematic way will help us deliver on our core mission: creating a healthy innovation ecosystem that rewards invention, transforms societies and improves lives. 

Matteo Morroi is Head of Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) and Director