The concept of sponsorship and partnership has expanded beyond traditional brand visibility and financial support, with organisations recognising the power of sport as a vehicle for sustainability and social impact, driving meaningful change while also delivering business value.

Clipper Ventures, the organisation behind the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, is at the forefront of this movement, embedding sustainability and social responsibility into the core of its partnerships.

The Evolution of Purpose-Driven Partnerships

For years, corporate sponsorship in sports was primarily transactional, companies gained exposure, while events, teams, and athletes received financial backing. However, this model has shifted. Today, brands seek to align with organisations that share their values, particularly in areas such as environmental sustainability and social impact.

At Clipper Ventures, this shift has been embraced wholeheartedly. Managing Director Laura Ayres acknowledges that while sustainability was once a byproduct of the Clipper Race, it has now become a key focus.

"We've never really lent into it as much as we now have the confidence to do. And I think a lot of that's to do with our work with the FuturePlus team and platform, really recognising that social impact is a key part of business and a key part of sport and how effective they can be together."

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is a unique global sporting event that takes participants into some of the most remote parts of the world’s oceans. This proximity to nature brings an undeniable awareness of the environmental challenges our planet faces.

"We are racing around the world on these oceans, and we are seeing firsthand... the direct impacts and how we can positively impact that for the future."

This firsthand experience has led to a greater commitment to sustainability within Clipper Ventures and its partnerships.

Participants and partners alike witness the reality of ocean pollution, climate change, and plastic waste. These encounters serve as a powerful reminder of the responsibility that sports organisations have to operate sustainably and inspire change.

Social Impact as a Cornerstone of Partnerships

Beyond environmental sustainability, Clipper Ventures is also deeply committed to creating social impact through its partnerships. More than 50% of the Clipper Race’s current partnerships feature social impact projects.

"We should be building those types of projects into every partnership package as standard and then also looking at what we can do as a business without relying on partnerships to create those opportunities," explains Laura.

A key example of this is the organisation’s long-standing partnership with UNICEF.
Over six years, the Clipper Race has raised over £1.5 million for UNICEF, providing unrestricted funds that can be allocated where they are needed most. However, as Laura highlights, the partnership is about more than just fundraising; "It's also about education and taking that message about the work that UNICEF does and ensuring people are aware of that."

Another impactful initiative is Clipper Ventures’ Ambassador Programme. These programmes provide opportunities for individuals from underprivileged backgrounds, those not in education, employment, or training, and even young cancer survivors to participate in the race.
"The uniqueness of the Clipper Race is that it's one of the few professional sporting events that allow everyday people to participate," says Laura.

"So partners can put people on the race to experience the values that sailing can instill, problem-solving, resilience, empathy, communication, teamwork."

By giving people from disadvantaged backgrounds a chance to experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Clipper Ventures and its partners are not just creating personal transformation but fostering skills and confidence that translate into real life and career opportunities.

Tackling Environmental Challenges with Innovation

Sustainability also extends to how Clipper Ventures manages its equipment and resources. The organisation is actively working with its partners to find innovative ways to extend the life cycle of its products, reduce waste, and minimise its environmental footprint.

For example, as part of its work with FuturePlus, Clipper Ventures has been exploring how to responsibly manage excess race kit and equipment, ensuring that it does not end up in landfill but instead finds a second life in other sailing programmes and marine rescue initiatives. "It's great to see that the product's not just going to landfill and actually being repurposed and reused," says Ayres.

A similar approach is taken with the Clipper Race’s fleet of racing yachts. Rather than constantly replacing boats with new models, the organisation ensures that each vessel is built to last.
"For me, that's far more sustainable than having the most cutting-edge technology new boat each year, only for it to become obsolete soon after," Ayres explains.

"Once our race boats are no longer suitable for the around-the-world race, they are repurposed for training or Arctic exploration."

This commitment to extending the lifespan of resources aligns with the broader principles of the circular economy, reducing waste, reusing materials, and ensuring that products continue to have value long after their initial use.

The Future of Sustainable Sports Partnerships

The growing emphasis on sustainability and social impact in sports partnerships is not just a trend, it is the future of the industry. As brands and consumers alike demand greater accountability from sports organisations, those that embrace sustainable practices and meaningful impact will be the ones that thrive.

Clipper Ventures is leading the way, demonstrating that sustainability and sport are not mutually exclusive but instead, deeply interconnected. By embedding purpose into partnerships, they are proving that sports can be a powerful force for positive change, both for the planet and for people.
"We have a lot of ambition to do more," Ayres says.

"We have a great base of people that I think are engaged and want to become citizen scientists. There’s a huge opportunity for brands to use the Clipper Race platform to align with sustainability and social impact, and to share that story with the world."

As the industry moves forward, Clipper Ventures’ commitment to sustainability serves as an inspiring example of what’s possible when sport, business, and social responsibility come together.
To find out more about Clipper Ventures’ sustainability programmes and progress, click here.

To listen to the Clipper Ventures' episode on the Business of Sustainability podcast, click here.

To discover how FuturePlus can help your business make a positive impact, click here to book a call with a sustainability expert.