This excerpt appeared on Bob’s website. The complete interview is available from the original publisher, linked below.
I was introduced to Professor Kerstin Lopatta through some mutual friends. Our shared interest in sustainability reporting was the reason for the introduction. More particularly, at the time Professor Lopatta was the Acting Chair for the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG). I had been following its work and even wrote a not-all-that flattering article titled “The Credibility Of EFRAG’s Sustainability Reporting Standards Is At Risk.” Our friend thought it would be useful for me to better understand EFRAG’s work and hence the introduction.
Despite my temerity as an American commenting on an important European initiative, Professor Lopatta was gracious enough to be willing to talk to me. We kept in touch a bit. Once EFRAG issued its standards I asked her if she’d be willing to do an interview with me. Since she is better bred and has better manners than me, she kindly agreed.