Pictured: Hepworth & Co Brewers will host the first demonstrator event
Release date: 22 June 2023
As part of the county’s ‘Let’s Go! Net Zero’ programme, the Champions, who are all local business leaders, have agreed to participate in a year-long publicity campaign that includes talks, events, and online resources.
They’ll take insights from their own business journeys to help others understand what works, what doesn’t, and the easiest ways to get started. They’ll also share how sustainability can take a business to the next level, helping cut costs, win contracts, attract customers, and recruit new talent.
The Green Business Champions each bring hard-won industry knowledge and a wealth of experience making sustainability work for the planet and the bottom line:
They are:
- Krisi Smith, Founder & Director, Bird & Blend Tea Co
- James Lizars, Founder and CEO, Thrive Accountants
- Adam Huttly, Founder & Managing Director, Red Inc
- Simon Green, Managing Director, Stubcroft Farm Campsite
- Emma Cox, Managing Director, Paua Trading Limited
- Andy Hepworth, Chairman, Hepworth & Company Brewers
- Ruth Anslow, Cofounder and Executive Director, HISBE Food
- Steve Sawyer, Executive Director, Manor Royal Business District
- Josie Cadwallader-Hughes, Sustainability Director, Thakeham Group
Look out for them at business events across the county from this summer.
With over a decade of experience growing a successful business that’s also sustainable, Green Business Champion Andy Hepworth said: “12 years ago, we started planning to build a new brewery and realised that to make it economically sustainable we needed to make it ecologically sustainable. When we looked into the possibilities, it was clear that it could be done and would be good business. We all love beer but believe that we shouldn’t be damaging the planet to make it, and we know we can do better.”
Cllr Deborah Urquhart, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change at West Sussex County Council, said: “I am thrilled that the West Sussex Green Business Champions will be sharing their valuable experiences with others, and I encourage local businesses to take advantage of the free opportunities this programme offers. West Sussex has a thriving and innovative business community and, working together, the Let’s Go! Net Zero programme and Green Business Champions will be a driving force, enabling positive change and supporting a resilient future for our businesses.”
Let’s Go! Net Zero also delivers a countywide programme of demonstrator events, and a bank of online resources handpicked for their relevance to small businesses.
The first demonstrator event will be ‘Tour & Tales from the Taproom: Food & Drink Sustainability Showcase’, which will be held on 18 July at Hepworth & Co Brewery, Pulborough, from 2:00pm to 4:30pm.
Aimed at food and drink producers, attendees will be treated to a tour of the Hepworth & Co Brewery and hear how Chairman, Andy Hepworth has made low carbon brewing work for his bottom line. West Sussex food and drink producers Cocoa Loco, Mud Foods, and Nutbourne Vineyards will also share their stories. There’ll be food and drink tasting and ample time for networking.
Visit the Let’s Go! Net Zero website to find out more about the programme and to book your free ticket for the 18 July event: www.letsgonetzero.net
Further events will be announced regularly, so keep an eye on the website.
