Webinar: Purpose, Profit and Planet

SMEs make up around 99% of businesses in the UK and around half of all turnover generated by the private sector is generated by SME business. For the UK to hit its target of net-zero emissions by 2050, it is crucial that SMEs are fully engaged with the challenge and doing what they can to make positive changes to the way they operate.

However, the driver for change need not be entirely altruistic. According to the OECD, 80% of UK consumers are more likely to purchase goods and services from a business they know makes a sustained effort to be environmentally friendly. A further 34% knowingly pay extra for a product or service because it has strong environmental credentials.

The webinar was chaired by Help to Grow: Management alumna, Amy Britton. Amy passionately believes in the need to make a conscious effort to reduce our impact on the planet. She founded Amy Britton, a Scotland-based manufacturer of Harris Tweed products, with a clear focus on sustainability. She has recently introduced a new product range which is manufactured with only recycled parts. Zips, woven branded labels, and thread are all made from recycled plastic bottles while strip labels are made from recycled coffee cups.

In this session, our experts provided insights into:

• how investment in sustainable practices leads to decreased costs and increased profit in the long-term;
• ways to measure, reduce and report your environmental impact to attract investment, employees, and consumers;
• affordable sustainable practices for SMEs;
• how sustainable strategies can help your business create a compelling mission, vision and values to engage staff and customers.

This webinar is the first in our three-part series on ESG (environmental, social and governance).

Part 2 – Socially Responsible Business

Part 3 – Trust and Transparency

About our Speakers

Gosbert Chagula Co-Founder and Head of Programmes, Startup Discovery School

Gosbert Chagula With entrepreneurship in his blood, Gosbert Chagula has spent the last 10 years working across the start-up ecosystem in both Europe and Africa. He co-founded Startup Discovery School to guide business leaders towards building a more sustainable future. Gosbert sits on the UK Department of Business and Industrial Strategy’s SME Engagement Group.

Maddie Booth National Head of Education for Sustainable Development, The Education and Training Foundation

Maddie Booth Maddie Booth is the founder of ECOpreneur and Sustainability Lead at the Birmingham Enterprise Community. She has trained over 120 CEOs and founders in sustainability and has led over 40 businesses on the way to net zero. She uses her experience to ensure that businesses are ready for the future of a green […]

Flora Hamilton CEO, Chartered Association of Business Schools

Flora Hamilton is the Chief Executive of the Chartered Association of Business Schools. Prior to this, she was the Director of Financial Services at the CBI, where she was responsible for directing the CBI’s lobbying on issues related to financial services, including sustainable finance.

Amy Britton Founder, Amy Britton

Amy Britton Amy founded Amy Britton, a Scotland-based manufacturer of Harris Tweed products, with a clear focus on sustainability. Her latest product range is manufactured with only recycled parts. Zips, woven branded labels, and thread are all made from recycled plastic bottles while strip labels are made from recycled coffee cups.