As a global events organisation, GL events’ commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) is well established, with three key frameworks – Think Green, Think People and Think Local, launched in 2009.
Here at GL events UK, our personal commitment to sustainability has evolved out of our business values. Our people care about the environment. They want our organisation to do as much good as possible, and they bring that thinking to work every day.
We’ve often found ourselves part of the industry discussion, joining focus groups and conducting our own research into attitudes towards sustainability. Following the launch of our Good Event Guide, we announced our support of Festival Vision: 2025, and are proud to have received a Major Events International Award for Global Sustainability.
Since then, GL events UK’s strategic commitment to sustainability, as well as organic, team-driven momentum, have led to several new developments. You could say we’ve taken CSR to heart.
In September, we announced our partnership with NSPCC and, since then, have developed a programme of fundraising, outreach and awareness throughout the year. The team has been hard at work baking, carving pumpkins, taking part in the Great South run, and raffling a duvet day to raise more than £1,000 for the charity.
We’re proud of our heritage and the Midlands origins of the business units that make up the GL events UK Group. With many of our staff local to Coventry, GL events UK was delighted to join the 2021 Club, supporting Coventry in its development as UK City of Culture 2021.
As a major supplier of temporary infrastructure and overlay solutions to the UK’s biggest and best-known sporting events, we were only too happy to sponsor the junior team at Coventry-based Dunlop Rugby Club and, as you’ll see from the photos, we couldn’t have partnered with a more enthusiastic team of upcoming sports stars!
Elsewhere, it has been our pleasure to donate tickets to events, including rugby fixtures taking place up and down the UK, to Change Grow Live, a national health and social care charity that is close to the heart of one of the GL events UK team.
In the near future, we’ll be sharing news of our support a great local charity, working with young people every year to prevent homelessness in Birmingham. We’ll also be keeping you up to date on our participation in some outstanding challenges, in support of NSPCC and with the aim of making a difference in our area.
Meanwhile, operationally, GL events’ strategic commitment to CSR includes significant investment in environmentally-efficient new equipment management facilities. Our team of account managers and depot supervisors recently completed IOSH Managing Safety programme, supporting our risk management culture and enhancing GL events’ commitment to quality, occupational safety and health.
Our people and clients continue to drive GL events’ sustainability agenda. The benefits of our initiatives to date have proved to be both a motivator for our people, and another reason for our clients to trust GL events. We understand that no business can ever be perfect, regardless of good intentions. We’re no experts – but we’re proud of our achievements and we’re aiming to continue the conversation and become better every day.
