As part of its ‘100-1-0’ business goals, Pentland Brands has made significant progress on its sustainability plans over the past year, with highlights as follows:
• 16 million consumers already impacted by Pentland Brands’ initiatives to help people live positive, active, sustainable lifestyles.
• 165,000 people benefited from important support provide across UK communities.
• Signed up to Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), committing to publish a clear carbon reduction roadmap to reach net zero in alignment with the Paris Agreement.
Just 12-months ago, Pentland Brands unveiled, and promised action in delivering, its ambitious 100-1-0 positive business goals by its centenary year in 2032:
• to help 100 million consumers live positive, active, sustainable lifestyles,
• to improve the lives of one million people in its communities
• to be a net zero business by 2032.
The work completed as part of the programme has already been significant:
Pioneering brands for good – 100 million consumers
Since November 2022, Pentland has supported 16 million consumers to live positive, active, sustainable lifestyles through its products, campaigns and brand activations. These include:
• Speedo’s Outsiders Club campaign, which shines a light on the joy gained from swimming outside, and, most importantly, the friendships and communities formed from a shared love of the water. The brand also celebrated World Ocean Day by sharing ways to change the tide on climate change, educating consumers on how they can reduce their environmental impact when it comes to swimming and swimwear.
• Berghaus’ free repairs service, Repairhaus, which has repaired nearly 5,000 items to keep its gear in use and out of landfill. Berghaus is also a supporter of non-profit organisation OUTO (Opening Up the Outdoors), which helps make sure that everyone, regardless of their ethnicity, gender or ability, is welcomed when they step outside.
• Kickers’ first 100% vegan ‘Back to School’ collection and its collaboration with pre-loved platform Reskinned, which helps consumers give their Kickers a new life by trading them in to be refurbished or recycled.
• ellesse’s tennis court regeneration project. A competition to nominate a local community tennis court for a refresh. Entries were judged and shortlisted by ellesse tennis ambassadors including Paul Jubb, Freya Christie, and wheelchair tennis star and world number one, Alfie Hewett.
• Mitre’s ‘Different League’ campaign with Tyrone Mings, which encourages players of all ages and abilities to watch and participate in the game. Plus, its investment in the women’s game through its partnership with the Scottish Women’s Premier League.
• Canterbury’s Future Fund, which offers community grants to help more women enter and progress in grassroots rugby. The brand is also encouraging consumers to get active by spotlighting inspiring young athletes and clubs, to show how grassroots sport is making its mark on UK communities.
Making life better – one million people
Through a combination of community programmes and product donations, Pentland Brands has improved the lives of 165,000 people in its global communities in 2022. These include:
• Speedo Swim United, which aims to make sure that all young people leaving primary school can swim 25 metres by 2025. In 2022, Speedo funded swimming and essential water safety skills sessions for over 4,500 children in the UK, France and South Africa and new programmes are planned in the US and Australia in 2023.
• Canterbury’s Fair Game campaign, which assists UK families struggling during the cost-of-living crisis, by providing 332 schools and charities with free P.E kit through its partner In Kind Direct. The brand also continued its support of the IRFU ‘Give It A Try’ programme, helping girls aged 8-14 to learn rugby.
• In 2022, brands across the Pentland Brands portfolio donated nearly 110,000 products across 12 global regions to support those in need.
Driving a sustainable future – net zero
Pentland Brands recognises that businesses have a crucial role in reducing the impact of climate change. The business has joined the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and is currently working to verify its emissions targets, which will provide a clear roadmap to reduce its impact in line with the Paris Agreement goals. Significant investments are also being made in tools to support carbon data mapping and tracking in 2023.
Collective accountability
All brand, team and employee personal development plans now include annual positive business targets. In 2022, Pentland Brands also made changes to its employee annual bonus scheme so that, regardless of the sales revenue and profit targets achieved, bonuses are only triggered if the business first delivers its annual Positive Business targets.
Sara Brennan, positive business director, Pentland Brands, says: “While it can sometimes be easy to set ambitious goals, using them as criteria for employee and business success demonstrates we’re taking action in the areas where we can make a genuine impact. While we know there’s always more to do, I’m proud of what we’ve achieved and look forward to sharing how we continue to deliver for people and our planet in 2023”.
