Fashion and Ethics - a powerful combination
Sustainability has historically been a word banded around by businesses for PR purposes. But times are changing as companies across the world are responding to stakeholder, investor and customer pressure and investing in the development of sustainable business practices.
By adopting these practices, companies can gain competitive edge, increase their market share, and boost shareholder value. What's more, the rise in ethical consumerism has created a major new market from which savvy businesses are reaping huge rewards.
The South West is leading the march as companies in the region prove that no matter what the sector, they can be run in an ethical and sustainable way.
Beacon South West is a South West of England Regional Development Agency (RDA) initiative that is dedicated to identifying and bringing together the region's most successful companies which include leading sustainable enterprises. There are currently 190 Beacon companies in the network, spanning breweries, manufacturers, leisure operators, architects and luxury food companies.
Discussions about how to adopt sustainability have been taking centre stage in the Beacon Boardrooms - the regular gatherings of Beacon companies that occur across the region. Companies such as Mulberry, Venus and Triodos Bank with strong credentials in the area have been quick to share best practice, providing much food for thought.
Sue Baker, director of Beacon South West, comments: "In recent months, the issue of sustainability, what policies companies should be considering and how to use the environment to add value to a brand have recurred across the Beacon network. We are eager to highlight Beacon companies that are making great strides in this area so that they can inspire other businesses and protect the competitiveness of the region's economy."
Fashion and ethics don't always go together but in one leading UK fashion house, it is proving to be a powerful combination. Founded more than 30 years ago in Somerset, Mulberry is renowned world-wide for its craftsmanship and quality. The brand's backbone is an extensive line of luxury bags for men and women that combine stylish, stand-out design with the finest leathers and detailing.
Despite various commercial pressures throughout the years, Mulberry has maintained its commitment to British design and manufacturing and to ethical production practices throughout the supply chain.
Mulberry's guiding philosophy is to 'do what is right' and to trade with people in the manner that they like to be traded with. For this reason, Mulberry has a written code entitled 'Mulberry Global Sourcing Principles' that ensures that all of its partners and suppliers share its philosophy and operate in an ethical way. Mulberry does not use fur or skin from endangered animals and through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), it is able to guarantee total traceability on all of its more exotic products.
Ian Scott, supply director at Mulberry, explains: "We ask our partners to act in an ethical and sustainable way. Our Global Sourcing Principles cover many areas including the way in which employees are treated and animal welfare."
To sustain its vision of having the majority of its design and manufacturing workforce in the UK, Mulberry has worked with Skillfast UK and Bridgwater College to pioneer an apprenticeship programme in Leather Goods Manufacturing.
In the last year, nine 16 to 19-year olds have been learning the trade at Mulberry and working towards an NVQ Level 2 and City of Guilds qualification. Uniquely, the apprentices never have to leave the premises as staff from the college come to Mulberry for the weekly 'classroom' sessions.
Ian Scott comments: "The majority of our staff live within a five mile radius of our Chilcompton base. We are an important local employer and we want to support the community by developing and training the skills of the local people. Our apprenticeship scheme has been a great success this year and a crucial way in which we can raise up a new generation of craftspeople so that our business can continue to grow and be based in Somerset. We are taking on a further ten teenagers for the next intake in September.
"We are also seeking to develop the skills of our supervisors by enabling them to do an NVQ Level 3 which teaches them how to manage their teams and motivate staff. We see our training programme as key to the future viability of Mulberry."
Mulberry endeavours to leave a positive footprint on its local community and to cultivate artisan crafts. Through various initiatives, sponsored by its charity committee, it supports local craftsman, schools, churches and specific one-off charitable requests.
Sue Baker of Beacon South West concludes: "Every company makes an impact on its environment. The key is to minimise the negative element, whilst maximising the positive. There are commercial benefits as well as social from embracing sustainable business practices and businesses that bury their head in the sand will surely miss out."
