Latest news with #HouseofHackney
Forbes
31-03-2025
- Business
- Forbes
From Buzzword To Business Model: Nature And Future Generations On The Board
Laptop in the forest. getty The era of sustainability as an easy corporate buzzword is over. Today, companies who have done their sustainability homework are truly beginning to stand out. Investors and consumers can now point to impressive, cutting-edge examples of corporate sustainability. On this score, the luxury interiors brand House of Hackney set a bold precedent in its sector. The British company, renowned for its opulent, nature-inspired designs, is testing the thesis that businesses can champion environmental and social responsibility in tandem with building a strong brand. With their recent addition of a Mother Nature and Future Generations Guardian to their board and an innovative crowdfunding campaign, House of Hackney is not just embracing sustainability. They are redefining it. Putting Nature and Future Generations in the Boardroom Traditionally, corporate boards are made up of directors focused on financial performance and risk management. Given the fundamental impacts and dependencies of business on social and environmental systems, this is a narrow view of a board's fiduciary duty. House of Hackney's appointment of a Mother Nature and Future Generations Guardian is an example of a groundbreaking shift in governance. This board member's primary responsibility is to advocate for the planet and future generations in every strategic decision the company makes. House of Hackney builds on the pioneering work of Faith In Nature, the first company in the world to put Nature on its board of directors. Working closely with legal and conservation experts, Faith In Nature created a comprehensive, open-source toolkit to enable other companies to follow in their footsteps. House of Hackey has given Mother Nature and Future Generations legal personhood as an independent director. The individual fulfilling this role ensures that the impact of all business decisions considers the people and planet – today and tomorrow. By institutionalizing this role, House of Hackney is ensuring that sustainability is not an afterthought, but a strategic pillar of the company. For business leaders, this serves as a powerful lesson: to be more than a buzzword, sustainability must be embedded in the highest levels of decision-making, not relegated to stand-alone corporate social responsibility initiatives. A New Model of Funding: Crowdsourcing Sustainability As pioneering sustainability leaders re-design corporate governance, corporate finance is equally of interest. Another groundbreaking move by House of Hackney is use of crowdfunding. The company worked with Triodos Bank, a global leader in sustainable banking, to design a bespoke approach to fundraising intended to further strengthen their ability to pursue their strategy. Triodos, whose mission is to 'make money work for positive change' is (like House of Hackney and Faith In Nature) a certified B Corp with strong impact credentials. Unlike traditional corporate fundraising, which often relies on investors with relatively short-term financial incentives, Triodos worked with House of Hackney to design a campaign that invites sustainability-minded backers to support the brand's mission directly. By leveraging crowdfunding, House of Hackney also fosters a sense of community, ownership, and personal engagement with their business. Investors including customers, environmental advocates, and others strongly aligned with the brand's values and aesthetic are not merely funding a business; they are investing in redefining the sector. This approach aligns with a growing consumer sentiment: people want to support brands that align with their values and make a tangible impact. Lessons for Business Leaders on the Future of Sustainability House of Hackney's innovative initiatives offer three key takeaways for business leaders looking to future-proof their companies: House of Hackney is proof point that sustainability requires systemic change, from governance structures to financial models. By pioneering these bold initiatives, the brand is not only future-proofing its own operations but also providing a roadmap for businesses to follow.
The Guardian
02-03-2025
- The Guardian
10 of the best Exmoor experiences: day trips, activities and places to stay
Exmoor's 37-mile stretch of coastline is one of the most undeveloped in England, with steep cliffs (at 1,044ft Great Hangman is the highest sea cliff in England) overlooking quiet fishing villages and long sweeps of beach. Broadsands – not to be confused with the beach of the same name in south Devon – is a hidden gem, lying 239 steps down from the South West Coast Path, between Watermouth and Combe Martin. It's also accessible by kayak from Combe Martin, but for those who do walk, the lovely outdoor terrace at the nearby Sawmills Freehouse is the perfect recovery spot after the climb back Rising 1,700ft above Exmoor's wooded valleys and rolling hills, Dunkery Beacon is the highest point in the national park, and at its loveliest in spring when wild flowers carpet the valley woodland. A circular walking trail runs from the car park at the Webber's Post lookout spot, with Bronze Age barrows dotted around the landscape and the chance of spotting red deer between the trees. The three-mile walk takes around an hour, with a stiff pull up on to the Beacon, worth it for the spectacular views. Afterwards, pop to Porlock for lunch or tea and cake at the Whortleberry For an upmarket stay with a real sense of tranquillity, book into Locanda, tucked away in the sleepy seaside port of Porlock Weir, where the clutch of houses, galleries and cafés are set around a small, quaint harbour. The four bedrooms are furnished with carefully chosen brands, including House of Hackney fabrics and Aromatherapy Associates toiletries, while the restaurant, overseen by Pio, originally from Naples, offers a daily-changing set menu. This is a quietly sophisticated bolthole, run with real love, from the curated books, games and records, to the pot of Exmoor coffee, brewed fresh on arrival. Doubles from £200 B&B, A 13th-century Norman castle converted into a lavish country house 600 years later, Dunster is one of Exmoor's most dramatic sights, set on a wooded hill, surrounded by terraced gardens filled with Mediterranean and subtropical plants. The castle charts 1,000 years of history, with artworks, a library, atmospheric attic rooms and a grand, central staircase, while outside a working watermill and natural play area are surrounded by 700 acres of parkland. Dip into Gatehouse Books to browse hundreds of secondhand titles, or settle in for homemade soup, sandwiches and cakes at the Watermill Food is a big part of a visit to Exmoor, with farms, bakeries, dairies and specialist producers scattered across the hilly heathland. A cream tea is a must, and the Withypool Tea Room – on the site of a former garage – is hard to beat, famed for its Withybig Scones, best taken at one of the outdoor tables, with the restored Shell petrol pumps gleaming in the background. Across the road, the Withypool Shop specialises in selling Exmoor foodie (and drink) treats, including locally produced tea, coffee, meats and Exmoor is famous for its red deer, but the moors are also home to Exmoor ponies, badgers, stoats and weasles, and more than 275 species of birds, including kestrels, buzzards and grey herons. Red Stag Safaris offers wildlife safaris in the company of an Exmoor guide who knows where the animals are most likely to be found. The morning safaris begin at 9.30am, afternoons at 2pm, with a maximum of six people a day. The tour lasts around two and a half hours. £75pp, book on 01643 841831, No holiday on Exmoor is complete without a visit to Tarr Steps, an ancient 'clapper' bridge across the River Barle, which still divides historians as to whether it was originally constructed in the medieval period, or actually as long ago as 1,000 BC. The longest bridge of its kind in Britain, the steps are surrounded by oak woodland and meadows that offer delightful walks, while Winsford Hill is home to wild ponies and a collection of 'wambarrows' – ancient burial mounds. Post-walk, settle in at the 16th-century Tarr Farm Inn, where new spring menus offer the best local For those on a budget, the Rockford Inn, hidden away in the remote Brendon valley, offers the chance to experience Exmoor at its wildest and most traditional. Built in the 17th century, the Rockford is an ideal base for walkers, with a lattice of footpaths running through the surrounding woodland and gorges, and along the banks of the East Lyn river, which flows directly past the pub. Dinners of Exmoor beef burgers or honey-glazed ham and eggs are perfect post-walk fuel, while the seven rooms are simply furnished but perfectly comfortable. Doubles from £95 B&B, Ideal for families, the 530-acre site surrounding Wimblehall is packed with activities, from archery and fishing to walking and cycling trails, including the nine-mile Lakeside Round hike, around the full perimeter of Wimbleball. Cycle routes mostly follow bridleways and quiet country lanes, while the calm, flat water makes paddleboarding, kayaking and sailing easy for everyone from beginners to serious watersports One of Exmoor's most picturesque market towns, Dulverton has more than 30 independent shops, offering everything from antiques to handmade jewellery at Browns of Dulverton and paintings by local and national artists at the Barle Gallery. Pick up goodies for a picnic at the Exmoor Deli, browse the vintage and retro finds at Mother's Attic and dip into two floors of books at Rothwell & Dunworth, before discovering more about the town at the Heritage Centre. Afterwards, pop into Tantivy – part tea room, part shop, stocked with local books, maps, stationery and Exmoor produce.
