Future Economy Leadership Award 2022 goes to Prof Dr Michael Otto
On the margins of the #COP27 world climate conference in Egypt, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Otto Group, entrepreneur and philanthropist Prof Dr Michael Otto was presented with the prestigious Future Economy Leadership Award for his life's work.
The awards presented by the non-governmental organization Future Economy Forum honours individuals or organizations that make an outstanding global contribution towards a new economic mainstream that integrates business success with the regeneration of climate, nature, societies and people.
Speaking to hundreds of guests at the Future Economy Forum, held as part of this year's #COP27 global climate conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Helmy Abouleish, co-chair of the Forum, said: “There are some entrepreneurs who began to incorporate the protection of people and the environment into the core strategy of the company at an early stage, before sustainability turned into a consumer trend. Prof Dr Michael Otto is one of these few entrepreneurs who, with the Otto Group, has always been committed to taking responsibility and integrating sustainability into all work processes. His professional life has been marked by both far-sightedness and a sense of innovation.”
Abouleish also pointed out that Prof Dr Michael Otto, 79, has taken on responsibility for the global community far beyond his work in business, with his attitude being manifested in the founding of the Stiftung KlimaWirtschaft – German CEO Alliance for Climate and Economics – the Aid by Trade Foundation, the Environmental Foundation Michael Otto and in the co-founding of the World Future Council: “He is a role model in philanthropy and very active in his foundations.”
In a video message to the Forum delegates, Prof Dr Michael Otto expressed his sincere thanks for the prestigious award. “Through my work within the Otto Group and with my foundations, I hope I can contribute to ensuring that the planet we leave behind for future generations is one worth living in.”
Other winners of the 2022 Future Economy Leadership Awards include regenerative agriculture expert Vijay Kumar, long-time Triodos Bank leader and founder of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values Peter Blom, Club of Rome and its co-president Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, Natura and Natura & Co CEO in Latin America Joao Paulo Ferreira, impact investing and microfinance movement leader Marilou van Golstein Brouwers, and Italian Senator Mauro del Barba, president of Assobenefit and Benefit Corporation Legislation.
In honour of each award winner, the Future Economy Forum will plant 100 trees at the Egyptian White Desert Farm of the company SEKEM, one of the Forum’s co-founders. The trees will gradually grow into a large forest.
Further information
Press contact
Otto Group
Thomas Voigt, +49 40 6461 4010, thomas.voigt@ottogroup.com
Future Economy Forum and NOW Partners
Walter Link, +19415869594, walter@now.partners
About Otto Group
Founded in Germany in 1949, today the Otto Group is a globally active retail and services group with around 41,000 employees in 30 major company groups primarily active in the economic regions of Germany, the rest of Europe, and the USA. Its business activities span the Platforms, Brand Concepts, Retailers, Services and Financial Services segments. In the 2022/23 financial year (to 28 February) the Otto Group generated revenues of 16.2 billion euros. With online revenues of approximately 12 billion euros, the Otto Group is one of the world’s largest online retailers. The Group’s particular strength is the broad market presence of its differentiated product assortments and service offers to diverse customer target groups in the world’s relevant economic regions. Numerous strategic partnerships and joint ventures provide the Otto Group with excellent opportunities to transfer know-how and leverage areas of synergy potential. Group companies demonstrate a high degree of corporate responsibility and willingness to collaborate with one another; at the same time this guarantees flexibility, customer proximity and optimal target-group appeal in their respective national markets.