• Swindon & Wiltshire Eco
• Thursday October 5 2023
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Federation of Small Businesses and Business West join forces to help SMEs to net zero

The Federation of Small Businesses and Business West have joined forces to help SMEs either get started with a move to being more sustainable, or progress further on their journey to net zero.

An event – Futureproof Your Business: Small Steps to Net Zero – is the first of its kind in Swindon.

It will take place in the Swindon Hub, the community space in the heart of Swindon’s town centre from 10am until 1pm on Thursday, November 2.

Speakers include Aisha Stewart from Business West, one of the largest chambers of commerce in the UK and a certified B Corp, and Graeme Leighfield of Gel Studios, which is also a certified B Corp.

Aisha will demystify the jargon around what net zero means and how to get started with a plan to suit your business.

Graeme will be talking delegates through his roadmap to make his business more sustainable and how he achieved B Corp status.

Meanwhile, Ira Blake from Light My Space, will talk about how businesses can use lighting in a sustainable way and still save money.

Ruth Lambert, FSB’s Somerset and Wiltshire development manager (pictured), said: “We’re aware that, what with Covid and now the cost-of-living crisis, many businesses have, and who can blame them, lost focus with their intentions to be more sustainable.

“So, it’s our hope that this event will inspire and encourage them to turn their attention back to it.

“We’ve got a great range of speakers and we’re thrilled to be collaborating with Business West.”

Aisha Stewart from Business West, said: “We’re really looking forward to this event with FSB.

“From engaging with over 200 businesses in this area, we know that firms want to start taking action to be more sustainable but are not sure where to start.

“We hope this event will help businesses identify some steps to get them started on their sustainability journey.”