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When Governance Transcends Borders - Why long-term value, transparency, and culture matter
Insights by Kamil Čermak
In today's dynamic and rapidly changing world, corporate governance is no longer just about setting the right internal rules, processes, and controls. From the perspective of ČEZ ESCO's leadership, Corporate Governance Beyond Borders represents the ability to manage a company in an environment where geographical, market, and technological boundaries are losing their former rigidity. The energy sector is becoming increasingly global, interconnected, and digitalized, creating both new opportunities and new demands on how companies are led.
For an energy-technology company like ours governance beyond borders means above all strategic thinking and deeply rooted responsibility. It's not only about responding to new standards, regulations, or investor expectations. It is about the ability to create long-term value across markets while maintaining integrity, transparency, and a consistent corporate identity, whether we are working with municipalities, large industrial enterprises, or European partners.
The globalization of energy is profoundly reshaping how companies like ČEZ ESCO plan and manage their activities. New technologies, decentralized energy production, digital transformation, smart infrastructure, and increasingly ambitious climate goals form an environment that requires broader-scale thinking. It's no longer enough to be strong in one country. What matters is the ability to succeed in an European context, to participate in international projects, and to develop products and services that are scalable beyond our domestic market.
This shift is closely tied to the growing expectations around maximum transparency and sustainability values that are no longer obligations, but essential foundations of trust. For us, these principles are key to maintaining strong relationships with customers, partners, suppliers, and employees. Governance beyond borders also means the ability to explain why we make certain decisions, what criteria guide us, and how we contribute to the broader energy transition. Our responsibility does not end at one market's border. The measures we take today influence the energy future of the region and Europe as a whole.
Governance beyond borders also means the ability to explain why we make certain decisions, what criteria guide us, and how we contribute to the broader energy transition. Our responsibility does not end at one market's border. The measures we take today influence the energy future of the region and Europe as a whole.
A critical part of effective governance is our corporate culture. For us, it is not just an internal value but a strategic competitive advantage. We build on a culture of openness, fairness, and collaboration. We believe that people who feel respected and empowered to contribute ideas create an environment where innovation emerges naturally. And innovation is essential for sustainable growth and for success in the next generation of energy services.
A strong company culture also supports something we consider essential in a fast-moving world: a strong drive for results. Every project, new business model, or technological shift requires determination and the ability to deliver. Governance beyond borders is not about perfect processes on paper it is about ensuring that every employee understands our goals, sees how they can contribute, and recognizes what success looks like for the entire organization.
Results are what connect vision with reality. In a globalized and digitalized environment, the impact of our results extends far beyond company boundaries. When we complete a project that delivers meaningful energy savings or implement advanced building-management technologies, we are not only improving the comfort or efficiency of a single customer. We are making a tangible contribution to decarbonization, energy security, and infrastructure modernization both in the Czech Republic and across Europe.
To deliver strong and sustainable results, it is essential to build resilient and adaptable teams. our organisation, we emphasize on developing competencies, sharing knowledge across the group, and connecting technical experts, analysts, project managers, and commercial teams. Governance beyond borders also means investing in people who understand the broader context of the energy transition people who see that today's energy sector is not only about infrastructure but also about the complex interplay of technologies, data, and customer expectations.
This is particularly evident in areas such as energy management, photovoltaics, advanced energy services, and digitalization. Success requires a combination of technical expertise, innovative thinking, and responsible decision-making. This combination is at the heart of modern governance. It is not enough to be transparent and compliant with standards we must also actively create an environment that encourages innovation while maintaining ethical foundations and long-term accountability.
Results are what connect vision with reality. In a globalized and digitalized environment, the impact of our results extends far beyond company boundaries.
From the perspective of ČEZ ESCO's leadership, Corporate Governance Beyond Borders is therefore a framework that connects strategy, culture, results, and values. It enables us to remain stable while being flexible, to react to trends while maintaining a long-term direction, and to contribute meaningfully to the transformation of Europe's energy landscape. It is a way to support the sustainable growth of our customers, strengthen our partnerships, and act as a reliable player in the region and beyond.
Ultimately, we believe that governance beyond borders is not simply a requirement of the modern era it is an opportunity. An opportunity to become a better company, to deliver greater value, and to help shape the future of energy in a responsible and forward-looking way. It is this ambition that guides our strategy, our culture, and our everyday work at ČEZ ESCO.
Back to HomeAuthor
Mr. Kamil Cermak
Chairman of the Board and CEO CEZ ESCO, and former President Czech Institute of Directors (CIOD)
Owned by: Institute of Directors, India
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the articles/ stories are the personal opinions of the author. IOD/ Editor is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in those articles. The information, facts or opinions expressed in the articles/ speeches do not reflect the views of IOD/ Editor and IOD/ Editor does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
