Linkedin Newsletter 07/03/25

Highlights from Sustainability Live

This week, Polly Milne and Liz Corse from the team attended Sustainability Live at the QEII Centre.

The event looks to provide insights from industry leaders and engage in thought-provoking
discussions.

Here are Polly’s key takeaways:

• 2025 is a new chapter for sustainability. Let's embrace it.

The ESG landscape has undoubtedly changed. But what an opportunity to be laser-focused on resilience, growth and value creation, showcasing the huge strategic advantages we know sustainable business models bring.

• Bring on the data revolution.

Legislation, including CSRD, is driving a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring about a corporate data capture revolution. But let’s be clear on how we turn the data into accessible and actionable outputs that can be integrated into company systems.

• Scope 3 is officially mainstream.

Supply chain data collection is officially no longer a niche activity for the super geeks. But there needs to be something in it for everyone. Proactive and meaningful supplier engagement is absolutely key to achieving results.

World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance on Business of Sustainability podcast

This week saw the publication of the latest episode of The Business of Sustainability podcast, which saw Alexandra Smith and Mike Penrose sit down with Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.

Glenn shares his insights on the future of hospitality, consumer influence on industry practices, and what it takes for hotels and venues to make a lasting impact.

Available on all major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music.

Download our latest hospitality guide, which features hotels that have been awarded the IMPACT CERTIFIED badge, recognising their commitment to sustainability.

With FuturePlus’s support, these hotels demonstrate leadership in sustainable hospitality and drive progress in the sector.

Download here.

Sustainable Ventures Launches New Sustainability Impact Funds

FuturePlus member, Sustainable Ventures, a leading UK climate-tech investment firm, has announced the launch of two new Sustainability Impact Funds. These funds continue the success of previous Sustainable Ventures cohorts, supporting early-stage climate-tech startups through investment, mentorship, and tailored programs.

The funds have adopted the FCA’s new ‘Sustainability Impact’ label, reinforcing their commitment to driving meaningful environmental and social change. FuturePlus has supported Sustainable Ventures in its adoption of the new FCA Sustainability Impact label and will continue to work with them and the portfolio companies to measure and manage their ESG impact.

For the first time, Sustainable Ventures has partnered with Sapphire Capital Partners LLP, a specialist in SEIS and EIS funds. This collaboration will enhance scalability and flexibility for both investors and startups.

The funds will support ventures that:

• Offer scalable solutions with measurable sustainability impact
• Align with SEIS/EIS eligibility, providing tax-efficient investment opportunities
• Have the potential to drive transformative change in climate tech

Andrew Wordsworth, Co-Founder and CEO of Sustainable Ventures, said, “These new funds will underpin our mission to build the world’s most impactful climate tech ecosystem, empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs through funding, access to expert services and a thriving support ecosystem.”

Arksen pop-up at Selfridges

Arksen Apparel has launched an in-store pop-up at Selfridges’ flagship London store until the end of March.

A collection of outerwear, performance layers, and legwear are showcased on the first floor in the menswear outdoor department.

Reducing the impact of products is at the core of Arksen’s design process, and it uses FuturePlus to manage and report on its sustainability to set the benchmark for its industry.

Visit the pop-up: Selfridges London, 400 Oxford St, London W1A 1AB.

Clipper Race to begin from Portsmouth, UK

Staying with a marine theme, on Tuesday, FuturePlus member, Clipper Ventures, announced that the next edition of the Clipper Race will begin from Portsmouth, UK on the 31 August.

Gunwharf Quays will once again be the Race Start and Finish Partner, hosting the yacht fleet’s spectacular departure and return in the heart of Portsmouth.

The Clipper Race is more than just a global sailing event, it’s a driver of economic growth, tourism, and community engagement. When the fleet departs from Gunwharf Quays this August, we’ll be celebrating:

Last summer’s Clipper Race Grand Finale in Portsmouth saw:

📈 90,000+ visitors
💰 Over £7.5 million in economic impact from tourism, hospitality and retail

FuturePlus Group Platform Demo

Find out how a growing number of businesses use this multi-award-winning sustainability and ESG platform to measure what matters for better business, resilience, and growth. As we shape the future of responsible business in Hampshire, you’re invited to attend an online demo to explore how the FuturePlus platform helps businesses Soho House, The England and Wales Cricket Board and Clipper Ventures understand, measure, manage, improve, and report on sustainable business practices.

With an easy-to-use tech platform, an ecosystem of products, and access to sustainability experts, FuturePlus is designed for SMEs across all industries to make sustainability make business sense.

Join Fiona & Elizabeth from our team for a group demo to see how FuturePlus can help.

12 March at 1100 GMT. Register here.