Savile Row tailor, Gieves and Hawkes takes first big steps in becoming a leading player in sustainable fashion
 

• Gieves & Hawkes is taking its first big steps in sustainable fashion by pledging to reduce its carbon emissions and to source new exciting eco-friendly fibres

• Accreditation to The Planet Mark sustainability programme is having a positive P&L impact in addition to cutting carbon emissions

• Nick Keyte, MD says employees are actively engaged and genuinely want to make a difference

Gieves & Hawkes is leading the way, not just along Savile Row but also as an internationally renowned SME and retailer, by pledging to do what's right for the environment.  With sustainability as one of their core values, in September 2018 they received accreditation from The Planet Mark, a certification programme recognising commitment to continuous improvement in sustainability.

2018 is Gieves & Hawkes' first year of business carbon footprint reporting. It calculated the emissions of its 7 retail sites, head office and warehouse operations in the UK for the year ending December 2017 and set a target to reduce emissions by 5% annually.

Gieves & Hawkes MD, Nick Keyte is very aware that everyone and every company has a responsibility for the environment. By becoming accredited to The Planet Mark, the whole Gieves & Hawkes team has embraced the challenge to reduce their carbon footprint following The Planet Mark's CEO Steve Malkin giving the team engaging training, advice and direction.

Nick Keyte is delighted with their response, saying:

"Everyone and every company is responsible for the environment - Gieves & Hawkes is no different. It is like pushing against an open door as everyone genuinely wants to do their bit, with small steps making a big impact. A knock-on result of the staff being trained on how to reduce their carbon footprint in the office means they are also bringing their knowledge back to their homes and proudly tell us about they're recycling plastic at home and not using disposable coffee cups!"

Nick Keyte says that they are already saving money since becoming aware of their carbon footprint. Starting with analysing their electricity and gas usage, then becoming aware of and monitoring travel in terms of carbon footprint, the company is reducing flights, car and train journeys. They are even saving money buying green energy and changing to stationery suppliers with sustainable FSC accredited sources introduced to by The Planet Mark. 

Gieves & Hawkes is looking at their supply chain management process, asking suppliers for their sustainability strategies and is committed to improving animal husbandry.  They are researching and raising awareness within the business for sustainable alternatives, seeking out eco-friendly fibres and they donate surplus sourced materials.

Nick Keyte is wholeheartedly recommending other companies to join The Planet Mark accreditation scheme and says, "Sustainability has a commercial perspective as we're saving money at the same time. Join The Planet Mark and make a big difference not only to the environment but also to your staff morale and your bottom line. The expertise that the Planet Mark team shares is outstanding."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Short bio on The Planet Mark

The Planet Mark is an internationally recognised and trusted sustainability certification programme, recognising commitment to continuous improvement in sustainability. It is awarded to businesses, properties, new developments and projects that are committed to reducing their carbon emissions.

Partnered with the Eden Project, The Planet Mark contributes 5% of all certification fees to the award-winning visitor attraction, The Eden Project. Each certification also comes with 12 free tickets to Eden Project, encouraging organisations to learn more about climate change and the importance of biodiversity.

The Planet Mark has pledged to protect an acre of endangered rainforest for every organisation it certifies, working in partnership with Cool Earth whose patron is Dame Vivienne Westwood and Andreas Kronthaler. 

The first year of certification to The Planet Mark is based on the commitment to continuous improvement in sustainability in its business operations by measuring and reducing its carbon footprint and engaging its stakeholders. In subsequent years, holders of The Planet Mark have a minimum requirement to reduce their carbon emissions by 2.5% per year. The average absolute carbon reduction achieved by holders is 6% per annum and 15% per employee per annum.

Contact Details:

Amanda Ruiz PR

Tel: 07711 419595

Email: hello@amandaruiz.co.uk