The British luxury sector is one of the fastest growing and most successful industries in the UK, with brands including Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Claridge’s, dunhill, Harrods, The Glenturret, Manolo Blahnik, Mulberry, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Wedgwood renowned throughout the world. Worth over £81bn to the UK economy, growing at a rate of 11% annually and employing over 450,000 people across the country, British luxury brands represent the highest standards of creativity, innovation and quality.
For more information about the contribution of the luxury sector to the British economy, please see our recent Luxury in the Making study.
With their unique leadership position, rich heritage and prospects for future performance, British luxury brands have both the opportunity and responsibility to play a key leadership role in addressing the most urgent environmental and social challenges, setting the pace for change and working to create a more sustainable future for all. That is why Walpole commissioned the British Luxury Sustainability Manifesto 2024, which builds on the work of our first sustainability manifesto, released in 2020 (you can read that here).
By working collectively, we can draw on the knowledge, expertise and creativity of Walpole’s 250+ member businesses to share best practice, scale practical solutions and direct investment towards tackling the reduction of carbon emissions, reducing the impact on our environment, and create more inclusive organisations to ensure sustainable business growth.
Through Walpole’s comprehensive sustainability manifesto, we aim to support the British luxury sector to become a world leader in sustainability.
"In sustainability, none of us can drive the change we need to see as individuals," says Walpole's Charlotte Keesing. "But if we come together, work collectively, share best practice, insights, suppliers, innovation, challenges and discoveries, then we are incredibly powerful and can build a more sustainable future for British luxury. Through Walpole’s British Luxury Sustainability Manifesto we have created a comprehensive and ambitious framework that all of our members are able to use and adapt.
"We are enormously grateful to the team at McKinsey & Company for their expertise and support in developing the second phase of our sustainability work."
