Thought Leadership

Popular British ethical pioneer coffee brand Cafédirect launches the second season of its podcast today, Building Better Business.  Featuring straight talking conversations with global thought leaders and professionals, the podcast asks: ‘What are businesses doing to protect our future and what more can be done?’ Following the success of the first podcast series which secured a spot within the top 25% of global podcasts**, series two will again be hosted by Cafédirect’s CEO John Steel.  One episode will be released every Wednesday to examine businesses’ efforts in tackling sustainability issues including deforestation, carbon reduction, plastic and big agriculture, and featuring a panel of guests who provide challenge and insight from differing perspectives. Guests on series two include (among others) Jane Aldridge (Managing Director of Coffee, Nestle UK & Ireland), Dorothy Shaver (Global Food Sustainability Director, Unilever),  Lucy Reynolds (VP Communications and CSR, Boots plc.), Mike Berners-Lee (researcher, consultant, professor and writer on sustainability; acclaimed books include ‘There is No Planet B’ and ‘How Bad Are Bananas?’ and ‘The Carbon Footprint of Everything’), Lee Man (Head of Community Fairtrade and Regenerative Sourcing, The Body Shop), Sam Fulton (Director of Corporate Affairs, Nomad Foods (Birds Eye)), Steven Ripley (Group Responsible Sourcing Manager (Forests), Tesco), Mike Barry (former Director of Sustainable Business at Marks & Spencer (led on Plan A), now founder of sustainability consultancy Mike Barry Eco), Zack Polanski, (Deputy Leader of the Green Party), Sahil Kher (Senior public law and regulatory solicitor, Good Law Project). Cafédirect’s CEO John Steel explains the purpose of the podcast: “We all want a healthier planet and fairer future to look forward to.  This podcast explores how business can have a huge impact - and how, as informed customers, we can encourage better practice.” The podcast responds to Cafédirect’s recent survey* which discovered that 96% of people think that businesses should be responsible for their environmental impact and 92% view companies as entirely or largely responsible for the welfare of people who produce their products. The survey also found that corporate greenwashing made it difficult for people to understand key sustainability issues and identify genuinely ethical and sustainable products.  To address this, the podcast aims to inform and inspire its listeners through a better understanding of the issues at stake. In the episode ‘Why is coffee heading for extinction?’  Erinch Sahan from Doughnut Economics Action Lab questions the Managing Director of coffee at Nestlé (UK & Ireland), Jane Aldridge, on the morality of the company: “What are we celebrating? We pat ourselves on the back, they're (coffee farmers) still poor, they are growing the product we sell, they are stuck in poverty. And every year, the giants of the industry declare a big dividend, and have grown that dividend. That just feels like a juxtaposition, that feels like a moral contradiction.” Similarly, Alex Maitland from Oxfam International challenges James Ghaffari of B Lab on Nespresso becoming certified as a B Corp in the episode ‘Why better business governance matters to us all’. Alex states, “I’m not sure it’s particularly helpful for a consumer [because] to get [B Corp] certification requires a change to the constitution, which puts profit and social purpose on an equal footing. But how can it be the case that Nespresso is doing that, while its parent company, Nestlé are very much a profit maximising business, with the main mission of maximising profit for shareholders.” In the episode ‘What’s farming got to do with climate change?’ Guy Singh-Watson founder of Riverford has a heated discussion with Sam Fulton of frozen food company Nomad Foods, where he questions the company’s use of sustainability certifications and claims, stating: “I am sceptical about claims about sustainability, but they are fundamentally carrying on with the business-as-usual model of food and farming….I wouldn't even call my own farming sustainable.” The podcast is available from 18 January on all major streaming platforms and www.cafedirect.co.uk/podcasts.  The season contains nine episodes with one episode released every Wednesday. cafedirect.co.uk NOTES TO EDITORS For press release enquiries, episode previews and interview requests please contact Lauren Morris on lmorris@cafedirect.co.uk John Steel is also available to write op-eds on any of the topics covered by this series.  *The 2022 Cafédirect survey results of 300 people: 40% are very concerned or extremely concerned about climate change.   96% stated that companies should be responsible for their impact on the environment. 92% think that companies are entirely or largely responsible for the people who produce their products, in terms of living wages and safe working conditions.  40% find that it is quite or very hard to identify which products are genuinely ethical and sustainable. For example, our survey found  93% see the term ‘sustainable’ to mean that a product is good for people and environment or good for the environment and 80% think that ‘carbon neutral’ means that it has a positive impact on climate or that it no impact on the climate (when it has a negative impact on climate). 84% believing that everyone in the supply chain is paid fairly before dividends are paid to shareholders **Source: Buzzsprout, 10 October 2022

Our Membership Executive Chris Morgan takes you through how to make the most of membership. Find out more about the work we do both for and with our members. 12 January 2023 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVBZIP884YA

According to Social Enterprise UK cuts to energy support for business will not deliver savings and could cost taxpayers more. If the proposed changes go through as many as 10,000 social enterprises could face closure putting as many as 160,000 jobs at risk and costing the UK billions in lost output and tax revenue. Peter Holbrook, CEO of Social Enterprise UK commented: “British businesses that should be at the heart of our economic recovery face the threat of closure should the Government prematurely cut back its energy support package for business. In the social enterprise sector, even the existing package has proven inadequate, with at least 3,900 social enterprises set to close, and over 10,000 more at risk of closure. This could put as many as 160,000 jobs at risk and could potentially cost the UK billions in lost output and tax revenue. The long-term costs to the economy would likely outweigh any savings made today from cutting energy support. If the Government goes through with further reductions in support, then the collapse of more social enterprises will become inevitable. Communities across the country will be deprived of businesses that are committed to investing in tackling social challenges and fostering inclusive growth. Supporting social enterprise today is not a cost, but an investment, one that will pay dividends when viable businesses survive these hard times and are able to drive the future recovery.”

Hear from tech for good/start-up ventures as they pitch for investments, partnerships and strategic relationships to accelerate impact Time: Thu, 2 February 2023, 16:00 – 21:00 Location: Toynbee Hall 28 Commercial Street London E1 6LS Who this event is for Tech for good junkies, impact investors, venture capitalists, angels, strategic partners and anyone interested in investing in business as a force for good. About the Accelerator Challenge cohort In November 2022, we launched our Accelerator Challenge in partnership with BRAN Investments across the UK. We were delighted to welcome a cohort of exciting ventures from across a range of diverse sectors - including health-tech, food and beverage, financial inclusion, ed-tech and climate change - tackling issues that have a positive influence on humankind and / or the environment. These ventures have worked through 3 phases over the course of the challenge and now come together to conclude at our demo day, where they will present to a collective of investors and others in the impact space. If you are interested in investing in this sector, we welcome you to attend and can facilitate. You may have already heard the buzz about a few of them already, so come along and meet them on the day. SIGN UP FOR THE EVENT HERE About Allia Allia has been active in social and environmental issues and supporting tech for good ventures for many years. We pledge to help as many small businesses as we can to make substantial changes to their working practices and systems, through advice delivered by programmes and workshops, as well as within our own Future Business Centres. About BRAN Investments BRAN Investments is dedicated to helping passionate people achieve real business success. Since the late 2000s, banks have become reluctant lenders, and we’ve heard about numerous great ideas and well-run businesses unable to win the financial backing they need to grow. BRAN want to change that. They want to give you your chance. BRAN are a family of four with 40 years’ experience in business and property. Through BRAN Investments, they want to share their own expertise, access to our large network of knowledgeable commercial contacts and offer direct funding and access to capital to help new and promising ventures achieve more. Other information This is an in-person event at Toynbee Hall, 28 Commercial Street, London E1 6LS. For more information, please contact hello@alliaimpact.co.uk

Supporting social entrepreneurs to scale sustainably. Applications now open. Application deadline for North 2023 and UK mentoring-only programmes is 9th January 2023. What is Accelerate? The Accelerate programme supports young social entrepreneurs and social enterprises with a focus on supporting young people into employment, education, or enterprise. We want to help social enterprises to grow and thrive so that they can continue to play an important role in stimulating local economies and affecting social change. We offer a full 3-month programme, and a 1-month mentoring-only programme. The full programme offers a 3-month timetable of support and consists of: A business coach relationship: offering 1:1 support in understanding and leveraging business performanceTailored workshops: targeted at understanding the key financial and operational levers of businessNetworking events: to connect with potential clients, supporters and advisorsProcurement opportunities: opportunity for successful candidates to apply to join large corporate supply chainsLegal support: join legal support clinics around IP and employment law The mentoring-only programme offers 1-month of business mentoring supporting you with: A specific objective in your chosen focus area (operational, strategic or commercial)1:1 Support from an Expert/Specialist in the Field/Subject AreaFree access to a market-leading online growth planning tool Who will I work with? Accelerate is supported by volunteers from a range of teams across EY and external organisations across the UK. Participants will receive support from: Business coaches The wider EY network, including legal professionals Trainers and facilitators from a wide variety of sectors, all specialists in their field   Can I be part of the Accelerate programme? Individuals who meet the below eligibility criteria can apply to the programme: Running a social enterprise that supports young people into education, employment or enterprise or A social entrepreneur aged 18-30 Plus, at least three of the following: Your organisation is already established with 1+ years of tradingYou (the social entrepreneur) are working full-time within the businessYour social enterprise is generating revenueYou have a credible plan to grow at a local, regional or national level which in turn will create employment opportunities in the future Join Accelerate If you meet the eligibility criteria above, apply now to become a part of the next cohort. ⏰Application time: 3-5 minutes  📆 Application deadline: 9th January Further information: https://lnkd.in/eNxxszMRApply now: https://lnkd.in/eVrqEx6J

Launching in January 2023, Social Procurement Connect is a new initiative from Social Enterprise UK (SEUK) created to support organisations add social value and impact into their supply chains. Building on the successes of SEUK’s Buy Social Corporate Challenge, which has directed over £250 million towards social enterprise suppliers, Social Procurement Connect will take our social procurement experience and expertise to a broader community of organisations. It will be a digital service to guide and support organisations who want to improve their purchasing and buy from social enterprises centred around an online resource hub which will contain best practice learnings, and tools developed by SEUK. Social Procurement Connect is open to any organisation interested in bringing social enterprises into their supply chain from social enterprises themselves to private and public sector organisations. Through joining Social Procurement Connect participating organisations will benefit from: Tips for creating and implementing an organisational social procurement initiativeExpert insights on social enterprise suppliersA review of your supply chain and the opportunities it presents to bring in social enterprise and social value.An online peer community of leading social procurement practitioners and fellow early adoptersTools for better understanding your organisation’s impact through its supply chain Introductory webinar We will be hosting an introductory webinar to introduce Social Procurement Connect and social sourcing on 19 January 2023 from 10-11 am. You can register for the free webinar here.

The UK’s largest independent athlete support programme opens its annual Award programme for new applications today (20 December 2022). Talented athletes from across 65 areas across the UK are invited to apply for a range of support awards which include financial support, access to sport facilities, physiotherapy, lifestyle mentoring and mental health support. The GLL Sport Foundation celebrates its 15th year in 2023 and it is the UK’s largest independent athlete award programme which has so far contributed over £13m to help over 24,000 athletes on their sporting journey. The innovative scheme is provided by charitable social enterprise GLL and expects to award £1.2m worth of help in 2023 for successful applicants. Already a popular and essential support programme for athletes, the Foundation is expecting heightened athlete interest as the cost of living crisis hits and training costs, equipment purchases, strength & conditioning costs and travel costs continue to rise.   All successful applicants will be given access to the 250 sport and leisure facilities across the UK operated by GLL under its “Better” trading brand. Applications open from 20 December 2022 until 20th February 2023. The award application announcement for 2023 was made at Lee Valley VeloPark, following the commencement of GLL’s newest partnership with Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA). This means that athletes based at LVRPA’s world class facilities are now able to join the GLL Sport Foundation, including Lee Valley VeloPark (which hosted the Commonwealth Games Track Cycling event in 2022), Lee Valley White Water Centre (hosting the ICF Canoe World Slalom Championships in 2023), Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, Lee Valley Athletics Centre, Lee Valley Riding Centre, and the new £30m Lee Valley Ice Centre (opening in 2023). This is in addition to a number of other world class venues – the London Aquatics Centre and Copper Box Arena on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Manchester’s Aquatics Centre (reopens 2023) and National Cycling Centre. Over the past 15 years, GLL Sport Foundation supported athletes have excelled in major competitions and have gained 76 Olympic and Paralympic medals and 77 Commonwealth Games medals. Previous holders of GSF awards include Darryl Neita (athletics), Anna Hursey (table tennis), Charlotte Worthington (BMX), Alex Yee (triathlon), boxers Anthony Joshua, Aiden and Michaela Walsh, divers Tom Daley, Matty Lee and Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, swimmers Tully Kearney, Susie Rodgers, Tom Dean and Ellie Simmons. It has always however been a core mission of the programme to support young emerging talent on their sporting journey, with the majority of athletes aged under the age of 21 and the largest cohort under 18 years old. Across the programme, 87% of athletes receive no other funding or athlete support, which underlines the importance of the scheme to both athletes and GLL’s social values. Speaking at the launch of the awards at Lee Valley VeloPark, Peter Bundey, GLL Sport Foundation Chair, paid tribute to the support of Foundation Patron Sally Gunnell and all partners involved in the programme including; SportsAid, Mary Peters Trust, SportsAid Wales, sponsors, medical and local authority partners and a new collaboration for 2023 with Switch The Play, who will provide wider mentoring and mental health support.  “Our awards work alongside a number of national talent pathways, provide a lifeline to individual athletes as well as helping local communities discover the opportunities and enrichment that comes through sport”.  Daryll Neita, who secured a bronze in the women’s 100m and a silver in the 4x4 100m relay at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games said:  “I am so thankful for the support I have received from GLL Sport Foundation. My first individual medal ever is extremely special and I would not be here if it wasn’t for the support I have received from the GLL ‘family’.” The successful impact of the Foundation is important to Patron Sally Gunnell OBE, who remains the only athlete to hold consecutive Olympic, World and Commonwealth titles.  She said:  “From my own experience starting out as a young athlete and progressing through my sport, I understand how important the recognition and support from organisations like the GLL Sport Foundation can be to a young athletes. It can make the difference in achieving sporting ambitions. “This is ever-more important today as we recover from a difficult and challenging two years, where dreams have been put on hold and sport had to stop. Athletes can now refocus having re-started competition and working towards those goals with the support of the GLL Sport Foundation.” Shaun Dawson, Chief Executive of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority said: “We’re delighted to support the GLL Sport Foundation Awards in 2023 – it’s an extension of the commitment we consistently make to communities across the region. “These are hard times for athletes so any extra financial or practical help is welcomed ahead of national and international competition. “Like the GLL Sport Foundation, our venues are truly inspiring, offering world class facilities for athletes and anyone who wants to take part in sports and physical activity for fun and health.” Applications are open until 20th February 2023 via the website portal – www.gllsportfoundation.org About GLL/Better Established in 1993, GLL is the largest UK-based charitable social enterprise delivering leisure, health and community services. Operating under the Better brand, we manage 258 public sport and leisure centres, 113 libraries and 10 children’s centres in partnership with 50 local councils, public agencies and sporting organisations. GLL has 850,000 members and welcomes 46 million customer visits per year. Co-founder and CEO of GLL, Mark Sesnan OBE, is stepping down from his role at the end of 2022. Mark has been a key figure in the social enterprise movement for over 30 years, and under his tenure GLL has grown to being one of the country’s largest and most successful social enterprises. Find out more about Mark’s involvement with GLL here. www.gll.org GSF athletes attending the GSF Awards launch event at Lee Valley VeloPark were: Will Kirk - triathlete Jonty Yin - taekwondo Kimberley Woods - canoe slalom Joe Clarke - canoe slalom Nikita Setchell - canoe slalom Prince Reid - para athletics Chris Reid - para athletics Gavin Rumgay - table tennis Amy Holder - discus Susanna Banjo - athletics Catherine Demont - swimming masters

IMPORTANT INFO - THIS EVENT IS ONLY OPEN TO BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS BASED IN HACKNEY Do you want to learn how you can make more environmentally positive decisions in your business? Do you need some expert advice on ways to reduce your carbon footprint? This hands-on event will help you transition towards a net-zero economy! Day 1 : Monday 30th January 2023, 9am – 5pm @ The Fisheries, London Fields, Hackney Day 2 : Monday 6th February 2023, 9am - 5pm @ The Fisheries, London Fields, Hackney Who's the event for? For all established small businesses who are looking to develop and grow into a more eco-friendly and sustainable business. Open to all types of businesses; from start-ups, and solo-founder/ entrepreneurs to high street shops & cafés. Participants must be living in or operating in Hackney, East London. If you live in, are registered in, or your offices/workspace is/are based in Hackney, then this is for you! As part of your participation in this FREE event you'll receive: 🌎 The latest green tips & tactics to navigate the uncertain business landscape 🌎 Develop your personalised “Green Action Plan” 🌎 Access to £250 towards your net-zero accreditation suited to your business* 🌎 Access to 3 free follow-up hours of 1-to-1 mentorship with an Allia Business Coach tailored to your business needs. 🌎 Opportunities to join the Allia Alumni network of 2,000+ ventures 🌎 Leave with your certificate of participation & a wealth of knowledge An overview of the 2 days - what will you come away with? Learn from experts the correct environmental vocabulary & terminologies to use surrounding net-zeroAccelerate your own transition to net-zero in a digestible 2-day seminarNetwork with like-minded entrepreneurs in Hackney who want to make a differenceEngage with peers, mentors, and resources on how Hackney can be net-zeroInsight from Industry experts on the topics of: Green Marketing (Green Claims Code) - How to avoid greenwashing and staying compliant with the latest advertising standardsSustainable Business Models - Building sustainable value propositions into your businessCarbon Calculation Workshop – Understanding your environmental footprint so you can measure, react and reduce as well as sharing this with customers, suppliers, and stakeholdersFunding Opportunities for your business in 2023 (SEIS/ EIS) - The state of green finance and how it can or can’t serve you Work through your challenges with 1-to-1 coaching and stay up-to-date with small business trendsCalculate your Carbon footprint and generate your Green Action PlanConnect with the Allia Alumni Network of 2,000+ small business ownersCertify your actions. Access to £250 towards your Green Accreditation (from BCorp, Green Mark, etc) suited to your business*Build resilience & understand the evolving customer requirements of eco-conscious customers Join us for hot drinks and breakfast (fruit & pastries) from 8.30am on both days to meet the team and other small businesses attending the seminar. A delicious vegan lunch will be provided by one of our Green Business Alumni - Gaia Pulses, who deliver delicious, homemade, organic food in reusable containers - and we welcome you to join us for a drink after the seminar at the Pub by the Park! About Allia Allia has been active in environmental issues and supporting cleantech and smart energy start-ups for many years. We pledge to help as many small businesses as we can to make substantial changes to their working practices and systems, through advice delivered by programmes and workshops, as well as within our own Future Business Centres. From working with Hackney Council we are providing a Green Business programme to help local businesses, start-ups and ventures in the borough to start making positive green steps for their business. Special thanks to the Hackney Council who sponsor this incredible event to move towards net-zero. allia.org.uk