The current and future state of sustainability in retail was one of the hottest discussion topics at Autumn Fair 2022
Autumn Fair is the UK’s leading marketplace for wholesale home, gift and fashion in the run up to peak season for retail. Its where the top buyers, merchandisers, designers and manufacturers from across the globe gather and where the hottest products get selected for Christmas trade.
Georgia Bell, co-cre8’s Sales and Marketing Manager, was invited to speak at the Products for Change panel discussion, held during the show, to debate the current state and future of sustainability in the retail sector. Also featured on the Panel was moderator Helena Mansell Stopher, from Products of Change, alongside the inspiring Tom Savigar, futurist and founder of Avansere. The ensemble explored some of the biggest topics impacting retail and the planet right now, including reframing business as a service, ESG values, and the importance of material innovation in the sustainability conversation.
The show also marked the debut of Honest Bottle on the consumer scene as the team embarks on a mission to drive the UK’s reuse economy into action with a mission to not only provide consumers with its recycled PET reusable water bottle, but increase the number of active and accessible free, public water fountains across the UK.
According to Georgia, “All of this is about systems and systemic thinking. Don’t blame plastic, blame the way that we use it. We’ve been exploiting it and using it by ways in which we use it once and just throw it away”
WATCH NOW – What is the Future for Sustainable Retail?
The Honest Bottle premieres at Autumn Fair 2022
Keshari joined the co-cre8 team in 2022 and is responsible for the daily management of the business finances including financial reporting, purchase ledger, sales ledger and building relationships with customers and suppliers.
Wayne joined the co-cre8 team in 2022 and brings more than two decade’s worth of operational and commercial experience in the food service packaging and waste management sectors. With co-cre8’s portfolio of three business divisions, Wayne spreads his unrivalled skillset across multiple activities including for our Honest brand, internal Waste and Recycling Stations and System Design partnership projects. Wayne plays a key role in ensuring co-cre8’s operations are commercially viable, building and maintaining great relationships with suppliers, ensuring the smooth success of projects and keeping a smile on everyone’s face!
We welcomed Hannah to the team in January 2022 to grow and develop our Built Environment business division. Hannah brings a wealth of skills to the team including her fantastic communication and eye for detail.
Katie joined the team in December 2021, and plays a key role in supporting the Sales and Marketing Manager with all sales and marketing activity across the co-cre8 and Honest brands. Katie’s main responsibilities include pro-actively developing and reactively managing business-to-business sales opportunities, processing orders, general customer service and supporting with the creation and delivery of marketing campaigns.
Prior to co-founding co-cre8 in 2019, Peter spent 10 years as a UK Director of Closed Loop Environmental Solutions. With a passion for recycling and, as one of the UK’s leading exponents of promoting more circular solutions, Peter created and delivered many pioneering industry projects, most notably the Simply Cups scheme.
James has over 20 years’ experience in the waste and recycling industry. Starting with just one second hand truck, he founded and developed Simply Waste Solutions into a thriving, profitable business with a £35m turnover. In 2020, James decided that he was ready for new challenges and took Simply Waste to a successful exit, selling to Biffa plc for £40m.
Natalie joins the co-cre8 team with extensive knowledge and experience in waste, recycling, and circular business models, with her speciality in Finance. For the last 17 years, Natalie has worked, and was a shareholder, in a start-up, high growth to exit waste and recycling business, with 15 years spent at board level.
Georgia joined the team at co-cre8 in 2020 and is responsible for developing the business through creative thinking and effective communication via sales and marketing channels.
Rachel originally joined the co-cre8 team in 2019 as Customer Service Specialist for Simply Cups. Her role has since evolved, following the launch of the Built Environment range, where she now heads up all logistics including supplier liaising, order processing and general operations of the business.