Cheltenham Business Champions

We are offering training to support local businesses within the Cheltenham community! There are many interconnected reasons for taking voluntary action to combat climate change, it may be to improve the balance sheet - since saving energy and resources, saves money. This issue has been bought into focus with the credit crunch and the possibility of a recession looming. Improving your green credentials can also create competitive advantage in a crowded market place and satisfy growing customer demand or shareholder pressure.

To view the training pack (from 2008) click here.

Background

During 2008 Vision 21 teamed up with Cheltenham Borough Council to offer a free training and consultancy service to five local companies. This is a pilot scheme for the Council as part of their new initiative, Cheltenham Business Pride.  Cheltenham Business Pride demonstrates the council's commitment to local businesses.  The Business Champions project is great way for the council to kick start an exciting and rewarding long-term commitment to local companies.

BMW, Paragon Laundry, Cheltenham Race Course, Cheltenham Borough Homes, and Heath Avery Architects each selected a member of staff to attend this half day training session to motivate and enable them to become an Environmental Champion for their work place. The event took place at the University of Gloucestershire who, by way of support, kindly lent the venue at no charge. In addition the University’s Business School is independently evaluating the session so as to improve the training for future groups. The event took place on 9th October 2008.

The Business Champions were provided with information to give them confidence to back up the greening of their work place. The interactive stimulating session examined the complex issues of climate change, including how business both has an impact on our climate and how climate change will in turn have an impact on business. The champions will also be given practical support, over future weeks, that will help reduce the impact of, and lead to savings in transport, procurement and energy. This is likely to involve site visits and/or remote support.

 

Graham Philpot, economic development officer for Cheltenham Borough Council said: ''This opportunity has given local businesses the confidence to actively seek change where it is needed and make a difference. With the introduction of these specially chosen Environmental Champions, they should have the necessary skills in place to help reduce the impact of climate change and offer savings in transport, procurement and energy to the local economy. Thanks to the efforts of these champions, everyone can now benefit.’’

David Dawson from the University of Gloucestershire’s Business School said “Vision 21 is bringing their environmental expertise to bear in businesses through easily accessible seminars and ongoing targeted consultancy advice.  With Vision 21 businesses can explore how they can become more sustainable in their industry context and engage their staff with sustainability on a day to day basis.  In the future work like this will be essential for business performance.”