Kent Business Environment Network
Kent Wildlife Trust has been listening to the business community since 1958. However, we recognise that we need to listen now more than ever before and share our knowledge, along with experts, on how businesses can improve their sustainability and reduce their environmental impact.
We have recognised that in the current environmental climate, we need to listen to local businesses and share our knowledge. We, therefore, took the decision to establish a networking group in Kent for local businesses who are interested in improving their sustainability, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and reducing their environmental impact through Kent BEN, our Business Environment Network - the first of its kind in the county.
Kent BEN is a networking group where Kent Wildlife Trust and experts in the field of sustainability, corporate social responsibility and climate change can share knowledge and help local businesses become more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Businesses that are a part of Kent BEN will also have the opportunity to engage with each other to share tips, best practice and what they have learnt on their journey.
A business not thinking about becoming sustainable is not a responsible businessBerkeley Homes
BEN Event - Allington Castle
Discovery Park, Sandwich
Kent BEN event – Allington Castle, Maidstone
Allington Castle was our first Kent BEN event, which provided us with an opportunity to talk to local businesses in West Kent about the challenges they may face with regards to sustainability, and how we can all work together towards a better, wilder future.
At this event, we had two guest speakers…
The first was Craig Baker, from Shropshire Wildlife Trust, to talk about how they successfully created their Meres and Mosses Business Environment Network (MMBEN) and how Wildlife Trusts really can help local businesses to become environmentally sustainable.
The second was Anthony Barron, from Berkeley Homes, who gave a business perspective of the importance of being more sustainable, especially now more than ever, stating that "a business not thinking about becoming sustainable, is not a responsible business". Anthony also spoke about how Berkeley Homes have changed aspects of their business and put the environment as one of their top priorities.
Kent BEN event – Discovery Park, Sandwich
The Discovery Park was our second Kent BEN event which provided us with an opportunity to talk to local businesses in East Kent about the challenges they may face with regards to sustainability, and how we can all work together towards a better, wilder future.
At this event, we had two guest speakers…
The first was Andy Whyle, an environment and sustainability specialist from Ricoh UK Products Ltd, to talk about the Sustainability Management Services they provide and how beneficial a network between businesses like Kent BEN can be in terms of helping local businesses become more sustainable and reduce their environmental impact.
The second was Leonard Kay, from Custodian Data Centres, who provided the business perspective. Leonard enlightened the group with how Custodian Data Centres are passionate about building a sustainable future, protecting the environment as well as enriching the wider community with their knowledge. Through this, they have won the Green Data Centre accolade at the Data centre Leader Awards.
