Farnham Maltings-based Fashion designer Eloise Grey has been selected as one of only three small fashion businesses by high profile fashion judges such as Wayne Hemmingway for the small company category for best fashion.

Recognising the very best businesses in the UK, the RSPCA Good Business Awards 2010 reward companies for their ethical approach to animal welfare.

Eloise Grey has been praised for excellence in advancing animal welfare and going the extra mile to include best practice in her ethical business policy. Eloise specialises in clothing using organic and ethically sourced tweed from Scotland. The wool is undyed and from native-breed sheep, who thrive in their natural habitat. The organic practices ensure the animals are kept in humane conditions. Her garments are beautifully made in the UK with a lifetime of wear and love in mind, as well as embodying stewardship of the land, wildlife and animals.

Judging the entries, designer Wayne Hemingway, says: “We were really impressed by the calibre of entries this year, which have shown a major advance since they first started six years ago. I was particularly taken with the smaller, ethically minded companies who are actively listening to customers and making huge steps forward for animal welfare.”

 Eloise says, “My customers generally buy my coats because they look great and they can see the quality, though some customers seek me out especially for my ethical approach. I feel really honoured by the RSPCA’s Awards and hope I win.”

The RSPCA Good Business Awards evening soiree will be held at One Marylebone, London, on Wednesday 6^th October.

ENDS

   Notes to editors:

 The judging panel for the fashion category are: Lisa Armstrong, fashion editor of The Times; designer Wayne Hemingway, founder of Red or Dead; and Shelly Vella, Cosmopolitan’s fashion director.

 About Eloise Grey

 Eloise Grey was brought up in Elstead, Surrey and returned to her roots to launch her label in 2007 working with organic tweeds from the Isle of Mull weavers and producing in the UK in the tradition of British tailoring. Eloise selects fabrics for their sustainable qualities. For AW10 Priscilla Carluccio has commissioned a version of the ‘Elizabeth’ coat for her Brompton Road shop, Few & Far.

 Stockists: www.eloisegrey.com; Eloise Grey, Farnham Maltings, Surrey (by appointment); Few & Far, Brompton Road, London; Haleluja, rue Nouveau Marché aux Grains, 6, 1000 Brussels. (Menswear).

 For media Enquiries please contact Eloise Grey on 07910 96 3737 or contact@eloisegrey.com, Studio 14, Farnham Maltings, Bridge Square, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7QR

 About the RSPCA Good Business Awards

 The RSPCA Good Business Awards were set up in recognition of the achievements of companies in the cosmetics, fashion and food industries to attain higher standards of animal welfare by implementing sustainable policies and practices.

 For media enquiries, please contact Alex Kennedy, Nicki Akers or Sarah Edwards at 77PR on 0207 492 0977. Email RSPCA@77pr.co.uk or call the RSPCA press office on 0300 123 0244.

Eloise Grey is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Rayna Baker, Investors in People Assessor, said, “Congratulations to Total Coverage for achieving Investors in People. The organisation demonstrates a clear commitment to the development and retention of their people and value the diversity of the individuals and the organisations that make use of its services. This makes Total Coverage a place that its people are proud to work in. I hope that they continue to go from strength to strength as a business and as an Investors in People.”

Total Coverage is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Mimimyne, the eco online store to help children grow up green, has been made a Finalist in the Make Your Mark in the Markets Awards run by Enterprise UK. The judging ceremony is on on Wednesday 11th August in London (at Old Spitalfields Market) and Mimimyne has been selected as one of the top 14 businesses who traded at local markets (out of 197 competition entrants). This means Mimimyne is a Finalist and will be given an award on the day for Highly Commended, Runner up or Winner.

Tabitha Potts, the Director of Mimimyne, won 10 days free trading at her local market, Old Spitalfields Market, as part of the competition. She sold her organic baby and childrens clothes and eco friendly toys directly to the public and got to try out new products and display ideas. “This competition is a fantastic opportunity for me and the business, and could help propel it to the next level,” she said.

Mimimyne (Me Me Mine Ltd) is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

We certainly are at Shared Interest.  This weekend I was delighted to join Patricia at the Co-operatives UK AGM held in Plymouth.  As well as the usual business conducted at an AGM we were there for a very special reason too.  Shared Interest received a Co-operative Award!  Awarded as a celebration of the diversity, innovation and excellent work of co-operatives, Shared interest was recognised as one of six award winners. 

Nominations for the awards are made to Co-operatives UK by those who know the work of the co-operatives, for example members or clients.  A panel then judges each nomination to create a shortlist and then the winners.  Collecting the award to the sound of ‘Moving on Up’ seemed fitting as Shared Interest continues to grow to support even more fair trade customers.  As a co-operative it is fantastic to receive this recognition from the Co-operatives community and to share the accolade with our members.

Also at the AGM was the announcement of plans for the International Year of Co-operatives in 2012.  This provides an exciting opportunity for co-operatives like Shared Interest to raise awareness of the work we do and the alternative co-operatives offer to other business models.  The weekend was a medley of inspiring talks, presentations and exhibiting with one of the highlights, other than the awards of course, coming at the end.  While the adults had been involved with the Co-operatives UK Congress, school children were also discussing their hopes and ambitions for Co-operative schools.  Over the weekend they had been devising their own co-operatives, centred around bananas and came up with some spectacular ideas.  My favourite was ‘Shine-o-rama’; you pay 20p for a banana and get to enjoy it while your shoes are polished with the skin.  In other words you polish off the banana while they put polish on your shoes.

Ed Mayo, head of Co-ops UK, is a member of Shared Interest and a keen supporter of fair trade.

For more on Shared Interest visit http://www.shared-interest.com

Shared Interest Society Ltd is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Spring 2010.

Claire, founder of Green Passion Creative, was invited to become a Fellow, and member, of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA)

“In recognition of your unique and innovative approach towards towards ensuring that the graphic design industry can help promote and protect the environment.’

For over 250 years the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) has been a cradle of enlightenment thinking and a force for social progress.  To find out more about Green Passion please visit http://www.green-passion.co.uk or the RSA http://www.thersa.org

Green Passion Creative is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Oxford -based print firm Seacourt have just been awarded “The Sustainable Business of the Year 2010” at this year’s Sustainability Live, the UK’s premier environmental event. 

As part of the Environment and Energy Awards, and sponsored by organisations such as WRAP, BSi and AEA, amongst others, these awards are now well recognised as industry standard awards, celebrating excellence and innovation in sustainability. 

Open to all companies across all industries, the awards are always well-subscribed with over 100 entries in the Sustainable Business category alone.  Judging criteria was based on recognising businesses or organisations which have taken their environmental, social and financial performance to the next level, by mitigating impact whilst using the sustainability agenda to gain competitive edge.  The judges looked at the organisation’s strategy and performance within a number of areas including waste, transport, energy, carbon emissions, buildings, pollution control and stakeholder engagement.  From a shortlist of 5 companies, all were asked to present a case for their company.  The category was one of 11 awards presented that evening. 

Seacourt,  quoted as a “Top 3 environmental printer worldwide” by The Waterless Printing Association, has won numerous national and European awards to date, and is a recipient of The Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development.  This award constitutes their 9^th over the last 10 years. 

Jim Dinnage, Chairman, stated “The Sustainability Live event and publication have grown over the years to become outstanding platforms of communication in our industry, and so we are bowled over to have won this prestigious award.  However, the greatest recognition and thanks need to go to our loyal and supportive customers, many who’ve been with us from the start of our sustainable journey. “  

Seacourt Ltd is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Although women-owned businesses are on the increase there still aren’t enough female role models, is the claim of the leading women’s organisation, Women on Their Way.

Most people still think that the majority of businesses are run by men due to the stereotypical images that we see all around us. That’s why Tabitha Potts is delighted to be short-listed for the prestigious National Women on Their Way Awards 2010 in the Online Business Award category.

Women are equally qualified to run businesses as men but also need more opportunities to connect and do business together.

The competition this year has been particularly tough so it’s a huge honour for Tabitha Potts to be short-listed. Tabitha is a mother of two very interested in the environment and good design. When she started looking online for products for her children and realised that there were not many websites aimed at families which combined a strong design ethos and environmental awareness, she came up with the idea of creating an online shop to do just that. She started her company Mimimyne, showcasing the best in UK and European eco design for kids, in September 2008, and it has been expanding its range and developing a loyal customer base ever since. Tabitha has run the business single-handed while caring full-time for her two sons (aged 7 and 5) and doing a part time job alongside it.

Since her company started trading, Tabitha has been a Runner-up for the Mum-Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 and a Finalist in the Archant Environmental Awards and the Thames Business Gateway Awards. She has been featured in the Daily Express and the Sunday Times Business section as well as in various well-regarded design blogs. She has presented a session on selling online at the Everywoman conference (www.everywoman.com) and also runs a regular ‘Mumpreneurs Meetup’ for fellow entrepreneurs in East London which is sponsored by BT Tradespace. One of the products she helps to promote, the Splat Chair by Spinifex, has been exhibited in the V&A Museum of Childhood!

There are four short-listed candidates for each award and the winner will be announced on Friday 19th March at the Women on Their Way Annual Awards Lunch taking place at Aston Villa Football Club, Birmingham from 11.00 to 15.00.

The awards event is in its second year and aims to connect women through the UK, to inspire and to increase their self belief.

The Women on Their Way Awards is the brainchild of former Apprentice Candidate Jo Cameron and her Co-Director Lisa Ibbotson.

Jo Cameron added “we are delighted that Tabitha Potts has been shortlisted. There are so many amazing women in the UK who don’t always recognise the impact they have made and it is my absolute privilege to be inspired by so many incredible women. We are very much looking forward to announcing the winners in a few weeks time”

This year the judges include Gill Fielding and Caroline Marsh of TV’s Secret Millionaire and other esteemed women from both the public and private sectors. They will be judging the shortlisted candidates over the coming weeks.

There are twelve awards this year including Start Up and High Growth Businesses, Online Business, Woman in Finance, Law, Transportation, Construction/Engineering, Woman in The Community, Public office, The outstanding contribution to Women’s Learning and Development, Young Woman in Business, Outstanding New Product and Woman’s Advocate. This year the coveted prize for the overall Woman on her Way is a weekend away for two included flights and accommodation to Milan.

Tickets are priced £65+VAT each or £600 +VAT for a table of ten places. With up to 500 guests it provides opportunities for networking and to meet other leading and aspiring women.

Last year’s winner of the Legal Award, Laura Kearesley added ““I was thrilled to win the Women in Law award last year; it was a real honour. It was a fabulous day, where I made some really good contacts. Since winning the award and the subsequent publicity I have also been approached by other potential business partners, so it has been really positive for me personally and for business!”

Tabitha Potts, Director (Me Me Mine Ltd trading as Mimimyne)
Phone 0208 133 0962
Mobile 07984 291 409
Twitter @mimimyne
Skype tabithapotts
Email tabitha@mimimyne.com
Web www.mimimyne.com

For more information on the Women on Their Way Awards please contact Women on Their Way press office + 44 (0) 870 2626 555 or email talkto@womenontheirway.co.uk or call Lisa Ibbotson on Tel: 07968 368630 email lisa@womenontheirway.co.uk

Photo of Tabitha Potts courtesy of Ian Billinghurst

Mimimyne (Me Me Mine Ltd) is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

The CEW beauty awards sponsored by Boots on the 22^nd February will be judged by the members of the association following a showcase at the Royal Horticultural Halls in Victoria London.

Natural Empathy will be represented in 4 categories with 3 key products, namely ‘Everybody’ luxury hand and body lotion, Shea Luxury body butter, Care and Repair signature moisturiser for men and will also compete in the ‘best new brand’ section.

The Directors of this family owned natural skincare brand, Beverley Stuckey, Madelaine Stuckey and Philip Stuckey will represent the business personally along with experienced beauty therapist Valerie Baldwin.

We hope to see some of our fellow Ethical Junction members there but it is worth remembering that it is a ticket do!

Info from alice@cewuk.co.uk

Natural Empathy is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

YouGen has been voted winner of the green living advice category of the Green Web Awards. The website, which aims to make it easy for people to work out whether or not renewable energy is a appropriate for their house, had been up for less than a year when it was shortlisted.

“To be publicly recognised like this is a huge boost,” said Cathy Debenham, founder of YouGen. “I’d like to thank everyone who voted for us.” It was a nail-biting contest, as we were shortlised against two really good websites: The Guardian’s Ethical Living site, and My Zero Waste. It is a real honour to win.”

The Government’s announcement of financial incentives for people who want to install microgeneration technologies last week, makes websites like YouGen even more vital. “The Clean Energy Cashback (feed-in tariff) makes it likely that more and more people will be tempted to install solar panels or other types of renewable energy,” says Cathy. “More installers will enter the market too, making it harder to identify the good ones. This is where YouGen differs from most renewable energy websites – helping people find an installer they can trust is at the heart of what we do.”

Research by Oxford University’s Enviromental Change Institute and the Energy Saving Trust has  found that the newness of the market makes it difficult for potential buyers to assess what they are being offered by suppliers. YouGen aims to help people overcome that barrier.

We provide practical, down to earth information, in plain English,” adds Cathy. “This means that people have a good understanding of what to ask an installer. They can search for local companies on the site, and we encourage existing microgenerators to rate their supplier under five different criteria, to make it easy for others to choose an installer they can trust to do a good job. In a new market it’s often impossible to ask a friend for a recommendation. Getting one from the YouGen community is the next best thing.”

YouGen has also been vocal in championing early adopters of microgeneration whose income from microgeneration will fall when the feed-in tariffs start in April 2010. “They have been treated unfairly,” says Cathy. “These derisory rates throw all their payback calculations out. The pioneers will be left with even longer payback times, while watching those who played safe and waited getting a healthy return on their investment. We have done our best to give them a voice, and get their message heard.”

First published on YouGen.

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We are very pleased that Tropical Wholefoods Fairtrade Apricot Kernels were the winner of the Green Familia Gold Leaf TGF Rated Awards for Food and Drink for 2009. This is a reader voted award. Results were announced on December 31st so a great end to 2009 for the kernels. Says Kate Sebag, director of Tropical Wholefoods: the tamari and chilli kernels are proving extremely popular – and now are available in sharing/catering tubs 500g from our website shop.

Tropical Wholefoods (Fullwell Mill Ltd) is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more