Rachel is B&Q’s Sustainability Manager – and on 26th May, she was recognised at the Guardian Sustainable Business Awards, wining the Unsung Hero category. She was nominated by 2 of her team, shortlisted by a panel of expert judges and then, the public were able to vote. The award recognises someone who has gone beyond the call of duty to drive sustainable change in their organisation.
As the driving force behind developing B&Q’s One Planet Home programme from its launch in 2006, Rachel has been involved in many key projects. B&Q achieved 100% responsibly sourced, Forest Friendly, wood and paper products in 2011. B&Q’s absolute carbon footprint has been cut by 33% compared to a 2006/7 baseline and the programme has saved the business £141M by becoming more efficient. 37% of B&Q’s sales now come from products with sustainability credentials. Innovations have included easyGrow™ – eliminating expanded polystyrene and peat from B&Q’s pack bedding plant ranges.
George Padelopoulos, B&Q Responsible Sourcing Manager said “It’s time that Rachel’s tenacity, commitment, resilience and unstinting passion for doing the right thing is recognised. It is not often in the world of retail that a programme lasts a couple of years, let alone the ten that One Planet Home has. Rachel needs to take a huge amount of credit and recognition for being the driving force behind it.”
Read more about the award.
