4 minute read
Managing Director’s Statement
A letter from the Managing Director
Life is a journey
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Life is a journey. And at The Parently Group, that’s how we feel about business too. For our people, the planet, and our performance, we have an eye on the destination, but for us, it’s really about the experience along the way.
The experiences we’re passionate about are those that have an impact. We want to engage and act with those who are passionate like us, and embrace the change and adaptability to makes things happen.
People
Our people are the essence of the business – they form the entity that we are. Making progress in life and work, is what we want for all our team members, and that culture of personal growth and kindness, when fostered, has led to a commitment and dedication that is wonderful to see in action. Diversity is so important in reflecting different views and making better decisions, and whilst our team has 67% female, 33% ethnic minorities and 8% BAME, we want to keep improving in this area, to benefit from the huge advantages it brings.
Community
The social value we can bring as a business, has becoming a growing part of who we are. We have enjoyed a variety of partnerships and support of charities that have been founded on the contributions of the whole team. Working with organisations like the Hygiene Bank, Wood Street Mission, Eco Schools and Boots 2 Africa, have shown that business can be a force for good and we can have a positive impact on the wider community, beyond just the day job.
And the customers we serve in the day job are the heart of our community. Our relationships with independent retailers who serve their local area provide a network of care and commitment, while the fans of the brands who seek us out, are forming a growing social gathering to share what we do further. If it’s providing training in writing tenders or digital marketing or engaging to provide product feedback that helps us make better decisions, our community of customers is the core of The Parently Group.
Environment
The commitments we have made over many years, to reduce the negative impact we have on the environment, have led the way in the markets we serve. Reducing waste is a constant driver, and so introducing Eco Uniform to David Luke 12 years ago has saved over 100 million plastic bottles* from landfill and oceans. Using post-consumer waste plastic in our garments, has saved around 70% of the carbon in manufacture. We have reduced our on-garment packaging, both plastic and paper, by more than 50% in the last 2 years, with more plans coming on improving further. Now Grass & Air and Juco have joined the movement and launched ranges of products made from recycled fibres and so more than 70% of our sales are now made up of Eco products. But we know there is so much more to do. We continue to invest in the research and development of extending the life of our products and into the circular business models and fabric technology that will be vital to the future of our planet.
*we usually quote 2L plastic bottles, but if we calculate based on the more commonly used 500cl bottle, we are nearing 150 million bottles!
Site
At The Parently Group HQ, we’ve been reducing our carbon impact every year since we started our ISO14001 Environmental Management System back in 2011, through energy, waste, recycling and procurement improvements. But the biggest impact has been converting our electricity to solar PV, with over 1000 panels installed, we’re now saving 25 tonnes of carbon each year. Our Sustainability Team gets together to keep the momentum going so we’re looking forward to bike sheds, electric charging, battery storage and recycled outdoor furniture.
Financial
For all that we want to achieve, for our people, the community and the environment, we work to achieve a performance that supports the investment we want to make. The financial strength of the business is critical, but profit goals have always been intended for the continual reinvestment in the next part of the journey.
The financial performance of The Parently Group in 2020 can be found in Appendix I. The challenges of the global pandemic were felt, but the resilience that has been embedded in the company through its culture, ensured that we could adapt.
Leadership
The compassionate approach to leadership has always been present and this accelerated during the past two years of the global pandemic. Immediate home working with daily videos to keep everyone informed and included, were the natural things to do. As resilience turned to reimagination, the transformation that was needed to become a digital business has been significant. The changes needed to keep the company agile, with new systems, new structures and a new approach to management, has not been for everyone. But the adaptability of our people and the compassionate leadership that has brought about change, has meant the company is fit and strong to embark on the next part of the journey.
The Parently Group brands have such an integral role in family life, kitting kids out for school, sport, and play. Inspiring the next generation to dream big, grow with kindness, and achieve a healthy future for all, are the key motivators for us on our journey.
So as we continue on our journey, for families, community, the environment and our people, if anyone in the back seat asks, ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ The answer is, “Not even nearly, but we’re enjoying the ride.”
