On Thursday 22^nd September 2011, Seacourt staff, family and customers gathered to celebrate Seacourt’s second Queen’s Award forEnterprise in Sustainable Development.  HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, made a special visit to theOxford –based family firm to commemorate the day and partake in the celebrations.

Amongst their many previous accolades in water reduction, green energy and being carbon neutral, the firm is now officially zero-waste (their last bin collection to landfill was in October 2009), a world first in the printing trade, and certainly among the first in all trade categories in the UK.  Everything is either recycled or reused.  HRH took a special interest in the recycling bay where all containers were clearly labelled and organised.

Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Tim Stevenson stated “It is known that winning a Queen’s Award is no mean achievement, you have to jump through some quite tricky hoops. It’s very much a sense of many are called but few are chosen”

The Duke of Kent presented Chairman Jim Dinnage with the award saying “Seacourt are a remarkable company and should be used as an exemplar for sustainability.  I do not think anyone can underestimate the work involved over many years, it has taken a great deal of determination.”

Turnout at the celebrations was overwhelming, with guests, civic representatives, press and media as well as staff, family and friends all there to celebrate the grand achievement.

“We won our first Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development 4 years ago, which was a wonderful achievement in itself” stated Jim Dinnage.  “But to win a second award alongside the first is just amazing.  Our greatest thanks must go to our wonderful staff for their hard work, and to our loyal customers who supported our efforts all these years.”

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

Greenhouse PR have named Linda Moss, of Organic Places to Stay as their Eco Hero for September.

“The reason why we love Linda is that she has been passionate about organic holidays for the last 12 years – working her socks off to produce a wonderful guide and website and never giving up – despite difficulties along the way. The outcome is a wonderful guide with truly wonderful organic places to stay.” says the Greenhouse PR website.

Greenhouse PR asked Linda a series of questions to reveal the inspirational woman behind the Organic Places to Stay website and book, and you can read the full article on the Greenhouse PR website.  Here is a snippet:

1. What inspires you?

What inspires me is the dedication that drives some people to act on their own initiative and who have the courage to support something they believe in. The hard working people who run the businesses I promote on my website are all examples of this.

2. What makes you angry?

What makes me angry is the way we’ve been duped into thinking it’s okay to go into the supermarket to fill our trolleys with processed foodstuffs rather than to eat real natural food.

3. If you were Prime Minister, what would be the first thing you’d change?

If I were Prime Minister, the first thing I would change is the way our food is produced and promoted. I would make a stand against the big food companies, ban all additives and promote the idea that food should be wholesome and unadulterated.

4. Can individuals really make a difference?

Throughout history, there are examples of how an idea that starts with an individual quickly spreads to other individuals and generates a process of change. Today, we have the power of the internet so it’s much easier for individuals to communicate with each other about the differences they would like to see.

5. What is your personal mission?

My personal mission is to try to raise awareness about the importance of organic food. It is a fundamental notion that healthy food equals healthy people. It has become my life’s work to promote the principles of eating organically, not as a lifestyle choice for the few but as a basic right of access to nutritious food for all of us.

Get the rest here.

We have recently made our next donation of £5,000 the Somerset Community Foundation. This will be matched by the government to take the Myakka Grass Root Fund up to £20,000. Community Foundations are charities dedicated to strengthening local communities and tackling issues of disadvantage and exclusion.  The Somerset Community Foundation was set up in 2002 to provide an independent funding body to tackle poverty and disadvantage throughout Somerset.

We have always supported our suppliers and their local communities in northern India following the principles of fair trade. Earlier this year, we donated a proportion of our profits to SKSN School as well as developing further community projects to help empower older children with the ability to support themselves and their families.

Georgie and Simon, our founders recently visited the Penselwood Community Allotment Scheme which has received vital support from the Somerset Community Foundation . The aim was to create a successful productive allotment producing fresh, affordable food for the community and the grant from Somerset Community Foundation enabled the group to install an essential waster supply to 12 allotment patches.

Somerset Community Foundation provides grants to local small, voluntary and community groups at the grassroots level.  We have been based in Wincanton, Somerset since we were founded eleven years ago and we all feel it is important to support our local community ad we would like to encourage groups who may benefit from a grant to visit www.somersetcf.org.uk for more information. Applying is kept as simple as possible with the minimal amount of paperwork possible. The board consider applications every 6 – 8 weeks; the next deadline for applications is the 16^th November.

Myakka is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Have you ever wondered how many countries your pants have crossed before they end up in your shopping basket?  Or how many hands have touched them before they reach the shop? 

Becky John, social entrepreneur and founder of whomadeyourpants? asked herself those same questions and believing that everyone should be able to answer them, she set up her own business to do things differently.  We interviewed Becky to find out more.  You can read the interview in full on the Ooffoo website.  Here are some juicy snippets…

When Becky John answered the telephone ‘Hello, who made your pants?’, I knew that I was going to enjoy quizzing her about her knickers. Becky, the founder of a Southampton based workers cooperative, had agreed to a telephone interview. She promised me I would be inspired and she didn’t disappoint! Becky is a buoyant and passionate woman, and I felt every breath of her story as she told it.

Becky makes and sells ethical pants using upcycled materials, with a team of volunteers and refugee women whom she is helping through the scheme.  She dreams of a day when all knicker-wearers will be asking how many hands have touched their knickers before they reach the shop and how many countries they’ve crossed on the way to the shopping basket.

   “I’d started to realise that I didn’t have to do what I didn’t want to do. I knew I was ready to make a big change; that I didn’t have to stay within the constraints of a safe job and a safe income. Putting these feelings together with my ambition to do something socially responsible and my love of knickers was a perfect match.”

   “I love beautiful underwear – it makes you feel sexy and confident, but I didn’t want to compromise my ethics to have it… [ so I ] …decided to make and sell the kind of pants I wanted to wear.” 

   “I had begun to realise that women are just subjected across the world to crap messaging and societal norms that even in our culture don’t support women to feel as strong as they could. Having found my own strength I wanted to help other women to help themselves…Our motto is that we work with women who have never had opportunity, or have had it taken it away.”

   “I had a job earning lots of money to do nothing. Now I am poor and busy, doing something I love. I’m so happy.”

Read the full interview.

whomadeyourpants? are members of Ethical Junction.  View their profile here.

Launched in January 2010 NEW FRONTIERS is a national to global initiative created to stimulate truly sustainable design solutions fit for the social and environmental challenges of the 21st Century. Designed to capture, catalyse and create ideas and innovation, from architecture to urban design to materials engineering to product design, NEW FRONTIERS is working with leading universities, professional institutions, NGOs, government agencies and pioneering global brands to embed a strong understanding of sustainability; form new collaborations; and promote the best innovation for this new and fast moving sector.

Focused on interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge sharing, capacity building and public discourse,  NEW FRONTIERS programme comprises seminars, scholarships, mentoring, a participative digital platform, a living lab and other planned elements, culminating in a prestigious biennial national prize.

The initiative begins with a series of seminars created in collaboration with NEW FRONTIERS’ partner organisations and panel members, many of which are playing an integral role in the development of the series. Featuring a world-class speaker line-up and rolling out across venues in Greater Manchester including the Centre for the Urban Built Environment, the seminars will explore the very latest developments in sustainable innovation in design, engineering, science and technology.

Themes the seminar series will explore include Biomimicry, Living Architecture, Industrial Symbiosis, Design Ecology, Closed Loop Systems, Chemical Leasing, Sustainable Building Technologies, Smart Cities, Urban Farms, Air Pollution, Resource Harvesting, Urban Acoustics, Open Source Design, Fab Labs, Upcycling and Micro-production. Confirmed speakers who will be giving presentations and keynotes during the seminar series include amongst others NEW FRONTIERS panel members Senior TED Fellow Dr. Rachel Armstrong, Professor Neil Spiller of the Bartlett School of Architecture and the UK’s foremost biomimicry expert Professor Julian Vincent.

On 23rd September 2010 NEW FRONTIERS is hosting the second seminar in its series. Titled ‘Building Blocks of the Future’ the event will bring together diverse elements of the built environment supply chain, from material chemists to architects and designers to explore new and evolving chemistry solutions and materials for the future of sustainable buildings. The speakers are Dr. Richard Miller (Technology Strategy Board), Dr. Troy Manning (NSG Group, Pilkingstons) and Gill Kelleher (BASF). The free seminar will be followed by a drinks reception and buffet sponsored by industry-led chemical cluster support organisation for the £10.2 billion NW chemical sector, Chemicals Northwest.

Individuals that wish to participate with NEW FRONTIERS seminars, but cannot make the events in person can send questions and comments remotely via the NEW FRONTIERS groups on Linked and via the Twitter using the hashtag #NEW_FRONTIERS

Further information on this event can be found at NEWFRONTIERS.uk.com

Societás is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Many companies now say that are an ethical business. But what does this actually mean? How ethical are they? What is the relationship between green and ethical? And how does this all related to being responsible, and doing well for people and planet?

“We’re all only ethical as far as it suits us. Where do you draw the line? – What’s the ethical standard? If we had an Ethical Association, what would their criteria for membership be? If we had to meet standards for ethical-ness, what would those standards be and how would we be judged by the relevant authority?” Max Wiseberg, director of HayMax, a natural drug-free pollen barrier for hayfever on the subject of ethical. 

HayMax manufactures a drug-free pollen barrier aimed at hayfever sufferers, many of whom find it works either to partly or completely relieve their unwanted hayfever symptoms including sneezing, runny nose, itchy face, throat and eyes. It is a Small-Medium Enterprise (SME), employing less than 10 people. Find more about HayMax at www.haymax.biz.

HayMax considers itself to be an ethical business. For them, this means acting responsibly – both towards people and the environment. They do this partly by being as green as possible. So the business reduces waste, recycles, has as small a carbon footprint as possible and aims to be carbon neutral by offsetting any carbon emissions. It uses local ingredients which are also organic and fair-trade wherever possible. And partly by conducting business in an ethical way – treating others fairly and resolving any disputes that arise amicably without resorting to legal action, as well as having what they consider to be an ethical product itself. 

HayMax is a natural, organic product that people can use for hayfever.  It traps pollen and the idea is that if you trap enough pollen then this will help curb unwanted symptoms of hayfever and ease the suffering without having to take drugs and possibly suffer unnecessary side-effects. Drowsiness, for example, is a commonly reported side-effect of taking antihistamines for hayfever.

Charitable giving could be another marker of ‘ethical-ness’. HayMax fulfil this too – they started donating to local charities once the business went into profit and say they will give more as they continue to grow.  And they use an ethical PR company – Excellart – also an ethical business to promote themselves.

What about other ‘ethical’ businesses?  Can ethical also apply genuinely to a large corporate, or conglomerate or international business?

Cafedirect, another ethical business is a large international business. They make coffee from fair-trade beans, giving farmers in the developing world a fair price for their product. They aim to support sustainable livelihoods, as well as the environment and say that this depends on tackling economic and social issues. They set out their values and beliefs as dealing with others fairly, acting with integrity, empowering everyone they do business with or help or employ and taking an ‘inspirational and creative’ approach to business.  They say they make a quality product, which could be another marker of ethical-ness. They are a large, successful, international business but they clearly conform to many markers of what is ethical. More information about Cafedirect on their website at www.cafedirect.co.uk.

Ethical and Green

Being green (namely tackling climate change by a number of means and supporting a sustainable environment)is often associated with being ethical – it is certainly a big part of being ethical. You could look at it in terms of acting responsibly towards the planet, as well as people.

There is something approaching an ethical monitoring organisation for business. Ethical Consumer is an organisation that works on behalf of the consumer to expose unethical business practices and to rate businesses in terms of the service they provide, one of these markers being how ethical they are. Companies at the bottom of the scale include Tesco and BP, and at the top of the tree (in terms of how ethical they are) is Liberty International and Intercontinental Hotels. So being a big business doesn’t necessarily mean being unethical.

So in conclusion, ethical in business can be marked by a number of things. Including, but not solely limited to: green-ness, how a business deals with other companies, how it treats its employees, what ingredients it uses in its product or its materials, the quality of the service or product it delivers, the impact it has on the world and the environment and how it functions on a day to day basis. Essentially – the impact it has on the world around us: both people and the planet, including its values and how these are applied to both. These factors can apply to small and large businesses alike.

HayMax Limited 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

Inspired Entrepreneurs will be holding several events in March, featuring both his own expertise and special guest spots from some top international celebrity speakers including Judy Piatkus, Dr Robert Holden, Sarah Alexander and Jackee Holder.  Specialising in encouraging people to take what they know and love doing and turning it into a pleasurable, profitable business, Inspired Entrepreneurs was founded by Nick Williams, best selling author and expert on inspiration both at work and at home.

To celebrate this new start to the year of you – Inspired Entrepreneurs is offering a special trial membership of just £1 – meaning new members can attend each event and get a free book for just £1 each.  Regular monthly members pay just £12.99 per month, entitling them to free entry to the talks as well as the free books. 

All events are held at the International Students’ House, London apart from Success Intelligence which is to take place at the University of Westminster.

Full List of March events:

7 March (10am) – Passions Into Profits with Nick Williams

A half day mini workshop exploring the 11 steps needed to kick start your own business and earning potential by taking what you are passionate about and turning it into a profitable business. 

£99 (£45 members)

7 March (2pm) – Entrepreneurial Masterclass with Judy Piatkus – Reinvent Your Business for Changing Times

Founder of successful independent publishing house Piatkus Books, Judy Piatkus will take you through six critical emerging trends set to shape the business landscape and how you and your business can keep up and take advantage of these opportunities.

£99 (£45 members)

10 March (7.15pm) – Success Intelligence with Dr Robert Holden

A top guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr Robert Holden has written 11 books on success including the bestselling Success Intelligence – How To Create Authentic & Heartfelt Success.  He guest speaks at this event which in particular focuses on how to inspire students to make the most of their futures.  £20 (FREE for members) including a copy of Success Intelligence.

18 March (7.15pm) – Self Care for Inspired Entrepreneurs with Jackee Holder

Expert in how caring for yourself is at the heart of a successful business, author of Soul Purpose and Be Your Own Best Life Coach, Jackee Holder, focuses on practical ways to keep yourself ready for action so your business is a success.  £20 (FREE for members) including a copy of Be Your Own Best Life Coach.

All these events can be viewed and booked online at:

http://www.inspired-entrepreneur.com/Entrepreneur-Events.aspx

Every talk is introduced and presented by the Inspired Entrepreneur himself, Nick Williams, author of five books including the best selling The Work We Were Born To Do and How To Be Inspired.

He has worked with individuals as well as entire organisations across the globe on a personal level, helping them achieve their dreams of success through inspiration and passion.  Nick regularly contributes to the media.

Press Contact: Lisa Jackson, Eurydice PR

lisajackson@eurydicepr.co.uk

 01440 709460 / 07702 415187

 www.eurydicepr.co.uk

 Gorgeous you – beautiful world

Eurydice PR is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

February is make a difference and make a profit month at CommunitySoul.

Twice each week, throughout February, CommunitySoul are running free tele-seminars and webinars aimed at helping you make your difference and make a great living too.

These seminars look at mindsets and strategies, as well as tools and techniques.

Almost 2000 people have already participated in these sessions, which have been promoted by TV presenters in the UK and USA, as well as best-selling authors, publishers and internet marketeers.

Director, Neil Fellowes says, “Our role is just to show the conscious business owners how they can become more visible and create strong businesses, so that more business comes to businesses that have a conscious approach.”

You can join in the seminars by registering at www.communitysoulbusiness.com

CommunitySoul is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Social enterprises – businesses which trade primarily for social and environmental purposes – now have their own distinctive Mark. The Social Enterprise Mark was launched yesterday in Cardiff at Voice10, the Social Enterprise Coalition’s national conference.  The Social Enterprise Mark will identify businesses which meet key criteria for social enterprise, and consumers will recognise that businesses displaying the Mark are trading to benefit people and the planet.

The Mark was developed by a group of social enterprise leaders working with the COI and the Office of the Third Sector, and aims to raise awareness of social enterprise to as wide an audience as possible.  The design and implementation was informed by a social enterprise Mark developed and delivered by RISE, the voice of social enterprise in South West England with funding from the Big Lottery Fund.

Speaking at the launch Angela Smith, Minister for the Third Sector, Cabinet Office says; “The Mark has the potential to be a real catalyst to put social enterprises where they belong – clearly defined and at the heart of the UK economy and society. I have seen some amazing and innovative examples of social enterprises, and the more people that know about them and the more people that get involved in the sector, the better!”

Peter Holbrook, chief executive of the Social Enterprise Coalition, the national body for social enterprise, confirms the importance of the Mark for the growth of the movement in the UK. He says; “Social enterprises are businesses doing really extraordinary things in new and innovative ways but they have until now been hard to recognise, partly because they work in practically every industry imaginable and range from community enterprises to international companies. The time is right for the introduction of a visually powerful Mark which indicates, at a glance, the integrity of an organisation and around which we can drive awareness and understanding.”

The Mark will be administered by a joint venture set up by the Social Enterprise Coalition and RISE. Lucy Findlay, CEO of RISE, says; “The Mark represents a set of clear criteria which a business must meet to prove that it is a genuine social enterprise. Its achievement and use by businesses up and down the country will be crucial in spreading the message about a different way of doing business that has the potential to revolutionise attitudes to consumerism.”

Albert Tucker, on the board of the Big Lottery Fund’s England Committee, says; “As the funder of the original RISE project which pioneered the use of a Social Enterprise Mark in the South West region, the Big Lottery Fund is extremely proud that this scheme has been so important in moving Social Enterprise Marks onto the national stage. We look forward to seeing the widespread take up of the Mark and the benefits it will bring to the social enterprise movement.”

This emerging sector already contributes £24bn to the UK economy and employs 800,000 people in the UK in a wide range of businesses from health and education to IT and retail. The ‘Trading for People and Planet’ Mark will play a key role in growing the sector as more consumers turn to businesses which use their profits for social and environmental benefit.