Category Archives: ESG/CSR

Carbon Reduction, ESG/CSR, Logistics Tech, News, Tech, Technology

IT maintenance specialist Smart CT trials drone deliveries as it sets course for Net Zero

IT MAINTENANCE expert Smart CT is trialling drone deliveries of equipment to customers as part of its drive to greater sustainability.

CEO Andy Morgan said the successful trial, which saw technology devices delivered to a nearby customer from a drone, is being assessed before further trials.

The Reading company provides parts and engineers to maintain, install, replace and repair business-critical IT infrastructure on behalf of IT suppliers who support an extensive range of organisations – from household brands to industrial businesses – in need of connected devices, including networking, servers and other workplace technology.

“From day one we’ve been trying to identify ways we can become more sustainable,” he said. “The drone delivery is just one of those ways because it is not only a more direct means of getting parts to our customers quickly, but it also reduces emissions, fuel consumption and pressure on our road network.

“We learned some important lessons from the trial and we’ll be looking more closely at how we can take this to the next level.”

He said it is just one of many ways in which Smart CT, which was the subject of a management buyout two years ago, is working towards Net Zero by 2045 – five years ahead of the government’s target. During the management buyout due diligence in January 2022 Mr Morgan commission an independent environment, social and governance report to rate its commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices. A follow-up report was carried out last year and Smart CT’s score rose from 34 per cent to 63 per cent. At the current rate of improvement, the company’s score predicted to 71 per cent this year.

Among the measures adopted by the company was the appointment of an ESG manager and an environmental manager who introduced tracking of waste reduction, energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions, staff training to encourage sustainable practices, a review of waste management and working with customers to understand Smart CT’s impact on their sustainability.

The reviewer applauded the company’s work, saying: “This represents the ESG journey in terms of fully integrating ESG into the corporate strategy through regular engagement with all key stakeholders.”

Mr Morgan said: “We decided to take more action two years ago to make ESG a big part of our culture. We asked our staff what they felt and one of the areas they came up with was around our sustainability.

“That showed me that we have got the appetite for change among our staff and management so we are able to make it a central part of our culture and part of our business. We know it’s important for our customers so we’ve commenced the journey.

“We are in the early stages but the latest ESG report shows we’ve doubled our score, which is just fantastic and all credit to the team for doing that. We’ve got some way to go but we’ve still got the appetite with people who are very passionate about enhancing our business.”

He said the company has also been engaging with customers through its satisfaction surveys about their attitudes to sustainability.

“We want to get their feedback because ultimately, the customer is why we operate and what they think is very important. That’s opened up new dialogues about how they’re doing with regard to sustainability, and it’s almost a cross exchange of ideas, which is great. It’s great feedback for us as we evolve our business.”

Find out more about the company’s services and read its latest ESG impact report at smartct.com.

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Pictured: Smart CT engineers carrying out the first test of the company’s drone delivery service from its headquarters in Reading

ESG Investments, ESG/CSR, News

S-RM: Two thirds of companies expect ESG budgets to increase over the next five years

S-RM, leading global intelligence and cyber security consultancy, has published its 2024 ESG Report which reveals corporate concerns are shifting from traditional environmental issues to social – with human rights and modern slavery, EDI (equality, diversity and inclusion) and community programmes taking centre stage amongst corporate ESG strategies.

In 2024 the landscape of ESG considerations has taken a seismic shift as companies re-evaluate their priorities. According to S-RM’s recent findings, social governance is going to be a bigger strategic and budgetary priority for a substantial portion of companies over the next five years.

Regulatory concerns

Nearly a quarter (23%) of corporations have identified ‘domestic modern slavery laws’ as their foremost regulatory concern, compared to 15% prioritising the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive). This focus underscores the growing acknowledgment of the importance of social issues and human rights in ESG strategies.

Despite the higher threshold of the recently-passed CSDDD in Europe, only 13% of corporates considered it the most important regulation for them to consider, suggesting that they may be caught out as the EU progresses its ESG agenda in coming years.

Further to this, approximately one-quarter of both investors (24%) and corporates (26%) lack awareness of social issues or challenges within their industry, underscoring a critical knowledge gap.

Some of the negativity currently surrounding ESG comes from considering it purely as an asset class, when ideally it should be integrated into the governance structures of a company. This lack of understanding poses significant operational risks to businesses that do not consider the direction of travel, potentially impacting reputation, stakeholder relationships, and long-term sustainability. Addressing this gap is crucial for integrating social considerations into ESG frameworks effectively.

ESG alive and well

The momentum towards Social is further emphasised by the anticipation of increased ESG budgets over the coming years. A remarkable 66% of companies expect their ESG budgets to rise within the next five years, with a substantial allocation earmarked for addressing social concerns. This trend not only highlights the evolving corporate approach to ESG but also underscores its emergence as a crucial commercial driver.

Natalie Stafford, Director and Head of ESG at S-RM, said:

“At S-RM, we recognise the continued importance of addressing the social elements within ESG strategies. Our survey has highlighted the widespread lack of confidence that the Social pillar of ESG is being sufficiently tended to, with risks mitigated and value exploited across both investor and corporate groups. There is a clear consensus that Social risks are rising up the corporate and investor agendas, driven by a combination of employee retention, shareholder pressure, board instruction, regulation and legislation, and consumer and client demand.

“Our findings demonstrate that in the corporate world, ESG remains firmly on the board agenda, supported with growing budgets among 66% of companies. We’re observing a shift towards increased budgets tackling social issues specifically over the next five years.”

For more information, access the full 2024 ESG Report on S-RM’s official website here: https://www.s-rminform.com/esg-report-2024

ESG/CSR

No ESG, no contract: UK’s top companies demand ESG compliance 

New study shows 90% of the FTSE 100 will only do business with ESG-compliant suppliers 

Research from OneStream Software, a leader in corporate performance management (CPM) solutions for advancing financial close, consolidation, reporting, planning and forecasting, has revealed research highlighting that 90% of the FTSE 100 will only work with suppliers who share their Environment, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) credentials. A further 3% are integrating the requirement this year.  

OneStream analysed the 2022 Annual Reports of all the FTSE 100 companies to identify those that have established ESG reporting requirements from their suppliers. This included scrutinising some of the biggest and most influential names in business.  

When broken down by industry, companies in the energy, retail, and Consumer Goods sector set the bar high, with 100% of companies expecting suppliers to align with their ESG commitments. With a number of businesses in these industries facing mounting pressure from shareholders to address their ESG practices, it’s no surprise they are acting fast. The banking, finance, and insurance sectors follow closely behind, with 90% of banking and finance companies and 85% of insurance companies requiring ESG alignment from their suppliers.  

The pre-condition for ESG affiliation is equally high for companies with headquarters both within and outside the UK (88%). In addition, the top ten companies ranked by employee size all require their suppliers to report their ESG metrics, while nine of the top ten companies ranked by market value expect ESG metrics to be met.  

Matt Rodgers, GM of EMEA at OneStream, says, “We’ve seen a significant shift in public opinion towards ESG concerns, with shareholders, regulators, and customers all exerting pressure on the UK’s largest companies to establish and deliver clear ESG commitments. In response, these firms are now pushing the ESG message down their supply chains by requesting evidence from suppliers of their ESG commitments as part of the tendering process.   

Among the information required by FTSE 100 companies, prospective suppliers are required to disclose various of commitments to improving their ESG targets, including their adherence to proper human rights practices, commitment to reducing their carbon impact and encouraging diversity in the workplace. However, research from PwC shows only one-fifth (20%) of business leaders agree current levels of reporting on ESG are of good quality, so suppliers are faced with a challenge if they want to accurately report their ESG metrics to businesses.  

With the EU’s Corporate Sustainable Reporting Directive (CSRD) coming into force in January 2023, it’s more important than ever before for companies to consider their reporting standards. Under this new piece of legislation, UK businesses are expected to meet the EU’s reporting standards if they have a net turnover in the EU of over €150 million for each of the last two consecutive financial years and have either: 

1.     An EU subsidiary which has securities listed on an EU regulated market; or is classed as a large undertaking and meets two of the following criteria: 

·         Total assets of €20 million 

·         Net turnover of €40 million 

·         An average of 250 employees over the financial year 

2.      An EU branch which has generated a net turnover of more than €40 million in the previous financial year.  

Added Rodgers, “The pressure is on for suppliers to get their reporting right if they want to win lucrative contracts with large companies. However, this could be a daunting task for some firms. To succeed, businesses need to adopt modern software solutions that collect and unify financial, operational and ESG data and provide timely and actionable insights based on specific organisational needs. By implementing these solutions, firms of any size can effectively manage and report their ESG targets and metrics.  

“Suppliers who want to work with industry leaders will need to ensure they have the necessary resources to align with their ESG commitments if they want to win big.” 

Accountancy & Accounts, ESG Investments, ESG/CSR, News, Wales News

Accountancy and finance professionals must drive the journey towards social equity, says ACCA report

The future of our organisations and society itself depends on sustainability and a just transition

Accountancy and finance professionals are at the forefront of the transition to a sustainable future according to the latest research by ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants). Finance professionals from around the world – including Wales – shared their views, resulting in ACCA’s new report ‘Accounting for Society’s Values’.

Organisations need to transition to a sustainable future that embraces the economic, environmental and social aspects in combination. Society faces long-term challenges from social injustice, with stakeholders and regulators increasingly focusing on the social implications of the actions of organisations. That’s why defining and measuring the return to society by an organisation’s activities is becoming as important as the financial objectives themselves.

The accountancy and finance profession needs to see this as an opportunity to define its future role and put the social agenda at the core of the profession.

 

Three key messages from this report:

  1. The profession’s future embraces sustainability through social equity and protecting the environment.
  2. Measuring the social agenda is difficult, but we must act.
  3. There is a strong business imperative to embed this agenda into strategy now.

 

Helen Brand OBE, ACCA chief executive, commented: “The social agenda is a broad one and requires organisations to act now. Without the valued and proactive input of the accountancy and finance profession, the goal of reaching sustainability for all organisations will be unattainable. The profession has an opportunity to play its full part in enabling the just transition, not least the social aspect – one that it cannot afford to shirk.”

 

Report author and senior insights manager at ACCA, Clive Webb, said: “Whilst the emphasis for many organisations may have become focused on the environmental aspects of a just transition, it is important to ensure that nobody is left behind.”

 

Lloyd Powell, head of ACCA Cymru/Wales, said: “The social agenda is a vital element of the transition and whilst it may present challenges in readily measuring progress this cannot be an excuse for a lack of action. Accountancy and finance professionals need to be at the forefront on ensuring that their organisations measure and report performance in this area if we are to be a just society.”

 

For more information, read the full report on the ACCA website.

 

ESG/CSR

Roman Semiokhin: Understanding the Difference Between ESG and CSR

Roman Semiokhin is an investor and philanthropist who pledged his support to aid government efforts following wildfires in Cyprus, providing emergency relief to families whose homes had been damaged or destroyed in the catastrophe. This article will look at environmental, social and governance (ESG) and corporate social responsibility (CSR), exploring the key differences between them.

The terms ESG and CSR are often used interchangeably, although there are important differences between them. Although both acronyms measure a company’s impact on society, ESG reflects a company’s external impact, whereas CSR is an internal initiative designed to enable a company to fulfil its corporate purpose. In order for social impact professionals to help their organisation live up to its values and make a positive impact on society, it is crucial for them to recognise the difference between the two principles.

ESG establishes a framework by which to evaluate a company’s impact. Environmental, social and governance is an umbrella term that refers to criteria used by stakeholders – and in particular, investors – to assess a company’s impact on society. When evaluating investment opportunities, in addition to analysing a company’s traditional financial metrics, many investors also look at its ESG rating.

Many companies publish an annual impact report showcasing their ESG ratings. The aim of this is to help the company’s leaders, investors, employees and customers understand whether corporate decisions are having a positive impact.

Corporate social responsibility refers to a company’s internal policies, practices and values that address social, economic and environmental issues. All of these different facets are combined in a corporate purpose statement. Rather than being externally regulated or mandated by external bodies, CSR agendas are set by leadership, management and employees, with each party holding themselves internally accountable. Ideally, CSR principles should be embedded in a company’s culture, driving decisions regarding community investments, giving programs and volunteering initiatives.

People are more socially conscious today than ever before, with consumers prepared to pay more for sustainable products. The CSR model provides a conduit through which companies can report their sustainability efforts to buyers and stakeholders.

A company’s CSR strategy may prioritise lowering the business’s carbon footprint, improving labour practices and/or engaging in charity and corporate volunteering. One well-publicised example is Microsoft, which aims to minimise its own carbon footprint while simultaneously helping customers to do the same. Another example is Verizon, which has provided school children with virtual learning technology to help bridge the digital divide.

Both ESG and CSR policies help to inform the general public about the goals and values of a business. They can be used by businesses simultaneously, with CSR providing an internal framework to communicate with employees and ESG used to establish measurable goals. In other words, CSR can be used for driving internal awareness of initiatives, while ESG provides the solid numbers behind them.

To incorporate ESG, businesses need to undertake materiality assessments, collecting insights from stakeholders; conducting gap analysis; setting goals; developing a measurable roadmap on KPIs; and reporting on progress. Companies must also consider their corporate culture, its impact on the environment and their relationship with the local community, putting leadership in a better position to educate the workforce on how they can be part of the solution.

Swedish furniture manufacturer IKEA operates one of the most sustainable supply chains of its industry today, with 100% of its cotton sourced from farms that adhere to the Better Cotton standards and 50% of its wood sourced from sustainable foresters. In addition, IKEA stores worldwide are powered by more than 700,000 solar panels.

Meanwhile, the Panasonic electronics company has achieved remarkable feats in sustainability. The company moved its North American headquarters from New Jersey to a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified building near Penn Station in downtown Newark. In doing so, the company eliminated the need for employees to drive to work, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Tobias Buxhoidt is the founder and CEO of parcelLab. He reflects that many brands preach about their sustainability credentials. However, in terms of showing the willingness or flexibility necessary to allow customers to make more eco-friendly delivery choices, many are falling short – for example, overlooking opportunities to audit package sizing to reduce waste or neglecting to give customers the choice of carbon offsetting in the transportation process.

In the built environment, companies have a wide range of options to make themselves more sustainable, such as transitioning to renewable energy sources like wind turbines and solar panels; using sustainable, ethically-sourced materials in a building’s construction; and implementing recycling measures and rainwater harvesting.

Both CSR and ESG hinge on a company embracing sustainable practices. ESG tends to focus on more specific issues, such as waste management, fair labour practices and carbon emissions, providing metrics that can instil confidence in investors and the broader market. Meanwhile, CSR is more qualitative and can be used to build internal awareness and goals within a business.

For more information about ESG and CSR, visit Roman Semiokhin’s website: https://romansemiokhin.com

 

Accountancy & Accounts, ESG/CSR, Finance News, News

Public sector finance professionals have key role in sustainability and addressing climate change

ACCA Global Talent Trends Survey reveals public sector facing talent challenge

Finance professionals working in the public sector play a crucial role in addressing sustainability and climate change issues. ACCA’s (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) Global Talent Trends Survey shows three out of four public sector respondents agree that accountants will play a bigger part in helping organisations address this agenda in the future.

In one of the largest ever studies across the accountancy profession, ACCA’s inaugural Global Talent Trends Survey 2023 provides a unique and vital view of how people feel about working in the finance profession right now. Finance professionals working in the public sector share many of the same concerns as the wider profession, but there are some differences.

ACCA’s research highlighted seven key talent trends for the public sector:

  1. Inflation is fuelling wage pressure: the impact of rising prices on salaries is more of a concern for public sector employees than for any other sector.
  2. Hybrid work is a work in progress: a significantly lower proportion of public sector employees have adopted hybrid and remote working practices compared to the private sector. 71% of public sector financial professionals are fully office based compared to 57% in all sectors.
  3. Addressing burnout must be a priority: just over half of public sector financial professionals (52%) believe their employers do not consider employee mental health to be a priority.
  4. Mobility is driving a possible talent crunch: public sector respondents indicated a similar level of mobility to the average of all sectors. However, amongst those planning to move roles, 4 in 10 public sector finance professionals expect to move internally in the next two years, while 5 in 10 are predicting an external move.
  5. Technology is empowering but training is key: 88% of those in the public sector want more technology training as they recognise the power technology has in supporting finance professionals to add more value. But 40% fear technology will replace all or part of their role.
  6. Inclusivity is strong but perceptions about social mobility are more troubling: 61% of public sector financial professionals think their organisation is inclusive (compared to 68% of all sectors), while 49% in all sectors (including public) have the perception that a lower socio-economic background is a barrier to progress.
  7. In turbulent times accountancy provides career security: public sector financial professionals see the key benefits to a career in this sector as the opportunity to gain a professional qualification (38%); having a job with purpose (27%) and the ability to make an impact (23%) – scores which outstripped all sectors at 33%, 23% and 17% respectively.

Jamie Lyon, head of skills, sectors and technology at ACCA, said: “Developing the talent of tomorrow is one of the top priorities for the accountancy profession, especially in the public sector. ACCA’s inaugural annual talent trends survey ensures the voice of those working in the profession – including the public sector – is heard and that the profession helps create a working environment where today’s professionals thrive and where tomorrow’s talent wants to be.”

As well as providing valuable insights the report sets out the ways in which ACCA supports employers, student and members, as well as the wider public sector.

Lloyd Powell, Head of ACCA Wales, said: “These findings have important implications for public sector employers in Wales as they seek to retain and attract finance professionals to careers in the sector. While the sector faces its challenges, it is clear that those working in accountancy and finance in the public sector see the ability to make a real difference to people’s lives as a key aspect of their roles. This new report is intended to support a workforce of vibrant and dynamic public sector finance professionals to drive through essential public financial management reforms.”

Read the full report.

Customer Service, ESG/CSR, News

How to make Customer Service Greener

Quite rightly environmental, social and governance (ESG) concerns have been moving up the business agenda in recent years, with recent energy price increases being one example where there can be a financial benefit to adopting a ‘greener’ stance.

One way for businesses to reduce their energy costs is to improve their operational processes, by reducing or even by removing those which don’t provide value to the business or customer – what is known by Lean Process Improvement as muda  or waste. Streamlining business processes also reduces the organisation’s environmental impact by reducing CO2 footprint.

How much energy does an email query take?

We start by establishing a baseline for energy usage in terms of a single customer service enquiry – say an email – but this is not just about the IT cost of transmitting the email and storing it afterwards. There’s the wider cost of performing the customer service process which processed the enquiry – the energy consumed whilst an agent reads and understands the customer’s enquiry, actions a resolution, then authors and sends a response, for example. In addition, our baseline should also make an allowance for the recipient to at least read the agent’s email.

On average, it takes 4.9 minutes to handle a customer service interaction. An email which takes 10 mins to write and 3 minutes to read consumes 17g of CO2, so if we halve these figures we get close to our AHT of 4.9 minutes to author an email, for a carbon cost of 8.5g CO2e. Sending 1 million emails of this nature per year could equate to 8,500kg of CO2, which is equivalent to the average annual emissions of 5 cars in the UK .

How to improve customer service and reduce energy:  

  1. Discontinue processes which no longer provide value to either your business or your customer. Are you producing MI reports which no-one reads, for example?
  2. Fully automate whole processes where possible for example  Where Is My Order (WISMO) enquiries.
  3. Digitise processes where appropriate – incentivising your customers to go paperless, for example.
  4. Use proactive notifications to avoid customers chasing for status updates.
  5. Look for processes where steps or tasks can be automated. Need to trigger an action off the back of a customer service enquiry? Automate rather than re-key.
  6. For processes or process steps which can’t be automated, increase agent efficiency by improving enquiry context, knowledge discovery and response composition.
  7. Reschedule workloads where possible to take advantage of cheaper or more renewable energy such as archiving enquiry data overnight.

Carbon-offset your remaining workloads e.g. by integration to a Reforestation as a Service API.Here at Lokulus, our consultancy team is experienced in helping businesses achieve their customer service process improvement objectives. If you’d like to learn more about how our consultancy and technology have helped our clients, and can help you to improve the efficiency of your contact centre, please get in touch with us at sales@lokulus.com.

AI, Appointments, ESG/CSR, Technology

Neurons welcomes ex-Danish PM on their board and expands its focus on being global leaders in delivering ethical AI solutions

Commitment to development of ethical AI and responsible business practices unveiled

Neurons, the world’s leading consumer neuroscience company, has welcomed former Danish prime minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt as the latest member on their board of directors as it unveils a new, ethically focused approach to delivering its cutting-edge artificial intelligence services.

At a time of rapid tech development, AI and machine learning have emerged as major focuses for companies seeking the most profitable ways forward. Generative AI, in particular, has exploded into the collective consciousness as these tools become more widely available. A study by the World Economic Forum found that 60% of adults worldwide expect that products and services using AI will profoundly change their daily life in the next three to five years.

Yet concerns regarding their commercial use remain. The same study noted that just 50% say they trust companies that use AI as much as they trust other companies, with 39% saying that AI products and services make them nervous.

That is why Neurons is investing in developing ethical technology based on responsible business practices that balance scientific validity with profitability and societal benefit. The company combines neuroscience and AI to understand consumer behaviour, which helps its clients optimise their customer journeys. Recognising its significant value to companies and individuals, as well as its future potential, Neurons is committing to:

  • delivering societal benefits by establishing the Neurons ethical advisory board, developing ethical guidelines and being selective in who the company works with;
  • growing profitably by building AI solutions with care for customers and removing the risk of having to work on projects that run counter to its values; and
  • establishing a Scientific Strategy Group to create scientific standards and protocols, all based on validity, reliability and transparency.

Demonstrating Neurons’ commitment to transparency and embedding ethics into its responsible business practices is the establishment of its ethical advisory board, members of which will include Thorning-Schmidt amongst other industry experts. The advisory board will challenge the company on its processes and approaches.

Thomas Zoëga Ramsøy, CEO and founder of Neurons, said, “As AI technology rapidly advances, we need to set an example by promoting responsible innovation practices. We will continue to grow our company in accordance with these practices; ensuring that our solutions are human-centric, and building our technology based on strong scientific integrity. Establishing our ethical advisory board, and having experts like Helle Thorning-Schmidt joining it to work with us, is central to our goals and purpose.”

Thorning-Schmidt was Prime Minister of Denmark from 2011 to 2015 and now serves on the board of several organisations, including Meta’s Oversight Board. She said, “AI technology is transforming the way we work and is impacting society in profound ways, so the adoption and development of this technology needs to be shouldered responsibly and scrupulously. What Neurons is doing with its responsible business measures is pioneering a new standard for the industry, and I am pleased to be part of their ethical advisory board, helping them carve out this path.”

 

Awards, ESG/CSR, Marketing, News, PR and SEO

Tactical Solutions Becomes First Field Marketing Business To Achieve B Corp Status In The UK

Tactical Solutions Becomes First Field Marketing Business To Achieve B Corp Status In The UK 

  • Pledge to become Carbon Neutral by 2030
  • Retail business reports 11% growth Y.O.Y with 20% growth forecast for 2023

Tactical Solutions has become the UK’s first Field Marketing business to become B Corp certified, recognising the retail business’ efforts in putting its workforce first and taking serious consideration to the environment.

The certification means the North Wales based business which works with major brands such as; Innocent, Arla, and Kelloggs will join a growing group of over 1,000 companies in the UK with a focus on pursuing a wider purpose other than straight profits.

 

Tactical Solutions MD, Cathy Evans said; “Achieving B-Corp was something we wanted to do within the business for a while, but it was important to engage the whole business – not just those at head office.

“It was a real team effort in achieving this status. There has been a colossal amount of work that’s gone into getting to this point. We are proud as a business to be able to join those in the B Corp community and build new relationships across brands.”

 

Tactical Solutions has also pledged to become Carbon Neutral by 2030 with initiatives such as aiming to deploy electric vehicles across the business, ensuring they are working with like minded suppliers to help us achieve this goal.

The field marketing agency has reported an 11% increase in growth Y.O.Y from 2022 vs 2021, with the business forecasting 20% growth in 2023.

In the three year journey to achieve B Corp certification, Tactical have partnered with Grocery Aid to become an official Diversity and Inclusion partner. Grocery Aid is a charity that helps people who work or have worked in the grocery industry.

Partnering on a 12-month programme, businesses can come together to discuss and progress D&I, creating a progressive industry environment where people can thrive.

 

Cathy said; “Being B Corp is all about using our business as a force for good and measuring our social and environmental impact. To ensure we do this effectively, it is vital that we have a diverse team of people who will bring new ideas and share unique perspectives.

“Diversity and Inclusion plays a fundamental part in ensuring that we build on our inclusive culture to ensure everyone’s perspectives are valued, different points of view are heard, and that people’s lived experiences enhance our effectiveness. Our involvement with Grocery Aid and the learnings we are taking from this partnership is further strengthening and shaping this quality within our business. We look forward to our continued journey.”

 

Tactical Solutions employs over 185 colleagues and as such it will be harnessing the power of all these colleagues by encouraging everyone to get involved, to have a voice, and to help change and shape its future  to become a better business.

 

ESG/CSR, Gifts, News, Sustainability, Wellbeing

ARRAN Sense of Scotland Partners with the Arran Trust to safeguard the future of the Isle of Arran

One of Scotland’s best-loved personal care and wellbeing brands, ARRAN Sense of Scotland (formerly Arran Aromatics), has announced a new partnership with the Arran Trust.

ARRAN recently launched its new Naturals Collection, an environmentally conscious range with wellbeing at its heart, and will be donating 5% of all ARRAN Naturals sales from their Home Farm store on the Isle of Arran to the trust. This will work out at approximately £1 per bottle sold that will be given back for continued conservation of the brand’s island home.

The new collection includes three expressions, Calm, Mindful and Awaken, with the focus being on functional fragrance, offering users mental and emotional benefit alongside natural fragrance. It’s sustainable with 100% recyclable packaging including aluminium bottles, recycled bottle tops and cardboard.

 

The Arran Trust is the Isle of Arran’s visitor gifting scheme and funds projects which look after the beautiful landscapes and environment, working alongside businesses and community groups to improve sustainable practices and safeguard the island’s future.

 

Good friend of the trust, Billy Connolly, said: “The Isle of Arran is the true Gem of the Clyde. Loved by the residents, and adored by visitors, it is truly a miniature Scotland.”

The ARRAN Sense of Scotland Home Farm factory and shop near Brodick Castle

Since 2010 The Arran Trust has supported projects conserving, educating and revealing the stories of this special place. It is an independent Scottish Charity and relies on the support of friends and supporters to continue its work, which includes funding for conservation and environmental works, community projects and research into the impact of tourism along with solutions, sustainable tourism training and advice.

The Arran Trust was set up with five initial businesses on board and has steadily grown, with nearly forty businesses now on board. The beautiful island is very dependent on tourism, so it makes sense to preserve all the places that attract visitors in order to sustain its future.

 

 

Kevin Meechan, CEO of ARRAN Sense of Scotland said:

Kevin Meechan

“We are delighted to announce our partnership with the Arran Trust and work with them to preserve everything that is special about our island home, the Isle of Arran, which is our inspiration and at the heart of our brand. ESG and Sustainability is a priority for our business and this partnership is another step in that journey. We will be donating £1 for every Naturals product sold through our Home Farm store to the Arran Trust, so that they can continue their amazing work across the island.”

 

A brand with corporate social responsibility at its core, ARRAN Sense of Scotland is no stranger to helping the wider community. Most recently in May 2022, it gifted hard working members of the NHS who were nominated by its employees with a ‘personal thank you from the people of ARRAN’.

This is the latest move in a raft of measures the company is taking to reduce its environmental impact.

All of the company’s bottles are now made using 100% PCR (post-consumer recycled) materials and it no longer produces packaging using virgin plastics. Alongside this, the company’s online warehouse is now fully carbon neutral, and it has reduced packaging and zero plastic in all orders being placed on the web shop.

Continuing along the theme of reducing waste, all the companies gift boxes are made with 80% recycled paper, which is fully recyclable or can be re-used as storage. The company has committed to ensuring that all ARRAN Sense of Scotland bottles will be made of 100% PCR (post-consumer recycled) material hence eliminating the use of virgin plastic by the end of 2022.

 

Find out more about ARRAN Sense of Scotland’s sustainable promise here: https://arran.com/pages/our-eco-friendly-commitments