How did you come to work in sustainability?
Despite studying Geography at university, I initially thought I was going to go into insurance. Whilst applying for graduate schemes in my final year of uni and researching potential employers, I had a lightbulb moment. I realised the only reason I ever wanted to work for particular organisations was their corporate responsibility programmes. So I gave up on insurance, and after a few months travelling, I literally Googled “sustainability jobs in London” – and the rest is history.
In an ever-changing area of corporate policy, what's one resource that's really helped you in your role?
The best resource I could ever have is colleagues and networks in sustainability. The subject is so enormously broad and sometimes technically specific, I learn most from chatting through latest news and ideas with passionate people who equally share what they’ve come across.
What is the biggest challenge your company faces when it comes to delivering your sustainability goals?
Time. Collectively we have a huge amount to achieve and simply not enough time to do it – and bring our occupiers, suppliers and community on the journey with us.
What's your best advice for communicating your sustainability work with customers?
Transparency and simplicity. Our customers are both our occupiers and our community, so it’s really important we communicate clearly and simply what is relevant to different customers, in a way that both shares learnings and drives collaboration.
Is there an area of sustainability that you think doesn't get talked about enough in the luxury industry?
I think luxury has been seen as inherently sustainable for a long time, due to the principles of exclusivity, high quality and durability, which has left the industry complacent and perhaps not looking at the systemic change needed around the circular economy and rental models. Whilst we are certainly making progress, just tweaking the edges isn’t going to get us where we need to be.
Which action you've taken has had the most impact during your time in the role?
Arguably the most impactful thing I’ve done is engage and empower colleagues to enact change within their own areas of the business. One person can’t get very far on their own, but enabling and encouraging others to act really ramps up what you can achieve.
What action do you wish your company had taken sooner to aid your company's sustainability?
In an ideal world, we would have launched our sustainability strategy “Chelsea 2030” sooner, but COVID had other plans!
What are your main priorities when it comes to sustainability?
Our main priorities are engaging our occupiers and suppliers. Ninety-six per cent of our footprint is in Scope 3, so bringing our value chain on the journey with us and enabling them to enact change will have the biggest impact in getting us towards net zero.
Collectively, what action is going to drive the most change for the luxury industry?
Collaboration. Transparent conversations about our challenges and working together to address them.
What's another luxury company whose work in sustainability you admire?
I love what The Social Outfit is doing in Australia, supporting refugees and migrants with training and employment, whilst repurposing and reusing fabrics to create beautiful inclusive designs.
