Jacob has encouraged all 30 countries in which ISS operates, to sign the UN charter of Women Empowerment Principles, strengthening ISS’s commitment to advance gender equality. He set a new target to reach at least 40% of gender balance within all corporate leadership levels by 2025 – a target already reached at the Board of Directors.

Over the last 12 months, Jacob successfully implemented leadership programmes to attract and develop female talent, with the number of women at Executive Group Management (EGM) level increasing from one to four. In addition, the Global Management Trainees are gender balanced, ensuring a strong pipeline of future leadership talent. Jacob, as the Gender Balance Employee Resource Group sponsor, empowers the team to drive continued awareness and initiatives globally, and explore global partnerships to drive further action. Jacob ensures that DEI is high on the EGM agenda and a new strategy, policies and frameworks ensure a fairer, more equitable workplace.

Outside the organisation, Jacob has joined the Danish Diversity Council. Alongside other prominent CEOs, Jacob will host the council focussing on DEI initiatives and future challenges.