Introduction
Big change often begins with a small, thoughtful idea. Back in 1707, William Fortnum, a footman to Queen Anne, spotted an opportunity in what others saw as waste. Leftover candle wax from the palace was being discarded, but William had a vision. He repurposed the wax into new candles, selling them to members of the royal household. This resourceful act sparked the beginnings of Fortnum & Mason, a company built on ingenuity and responsibility.
Fast forward over 300 years later, that same ethos drives Fortnum & Mason’s commitment to sustainability. In 2022, Fortnum & Mason partnered with Planet Mark to deepen their impact, creating a focused strategy to deliver measurable environmental and social progress. Together, we’ve worked to engage their suppliers, empower their teams, and reduce their carbon emissions, ensuring their operations reflect their rich heritage and forward-thinking vision.
Turning Ambitions into Action
When Fortnum’s began their collaboration with Planet Mark, their goal was clear: move beyond aspirations and begin building a robust net zero strategy. Their journey started with expanding their measurement remit to include all Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, ensuring a complete understanding of their net zero baseline.
Submitting their Scope 3 data marked a critical milestone, paving the way for a net zero target-setting workshop with Planet Mark. From here, we’ll work together to develop a Net Zero Transition Plan, helping them accelerate their decarbonisation goals.
At their Piccadilly store, outdated equipment and a lack of energy monitoring posed challenges. After a thorough review, new upgrades and monitoring systems were introduced, making it easier to track and reduce emissions.
“Planet Mark’s support and knowledge helped us focus on quick wins and larger infrastructure projects, transforming how we operate,” explains Justin Baker, Head of Property.
These efforts are already delivering results. Since 2018, the Piccadilly store has reduced water use by 57% and cut carbon emissions by 21%, as detailed in their 2023 Sustainability and Social Responsibility Report.
Engaging people and Partners
Customers of Fortnum & Mason have also played a pivotal role in shaping this transformation. Today’s consumers expect more than great products, they want to know how those products are sourced and their impact on the planet. By helping Fortnum’s share their sustainability story with confidence, we’ve supported them in building trust with a growing audience of environmentally conscious shoppers.
Within the organisation, employee engagement has been key to turning ambitions into action. With Planet Mark’s guidance, initiatives like Town Halls, senior management meetings, and the Future Matters Network have empowered teams to embrace sustainability as part of their everyday work. Workshops like Sustainability Energisers and Good Morning Fortnum’s’ bring energy and ideas to life, ensuring staff feel inspired and equipped to contribute to the company’s net zero goals.
By empowering employees and engaging suppliers, Fortnum’s has cultivated a culture where sustainability is a shared mission, and they are building a culture of transparency, collaboration, and action, creating a more sustainable future together.
Empowering a Greener Supply Chain
The supply chain of Fortnum & Mason plays a vital role in their commitment to sustainability and net zero goals. Together with Planet Mark, they’ve worked to engage suppliers across the UK and Hong Kong, equipping them with tools and guidance to adopt greener practices.
Many of these suppliers are small artisan businesses, some of which have partnered with Fortnum’s for decades. While these long-standing relationships reflect shared values, sustainability can often feel overwhelming for smaller suppliers.
By encouraging suppliers to submit carbon data, Fortnum’s has strengthened their measurement efforts and laid the groundwork for deeper collaboration to reduce emissions in the future.
“Now, more and more businesses are beginning to realise that just reducing carbon is not enough. We need to think about our businesses’ future. So we are looking at how do we manage our supply chains and the commodities that we rely on in the future. And part of that is to start looking at our natural capital as it would be commercial capital, give it that level of importance,” explains Sasha Notley, Director of Technical and Sustainability.
By addressing these challenges and reassessing sourcing practices, Fortnum’s are safeguarding workers, resources, and their supply chain for decades to come.
Making a Wider Impact
Beyond their business operations, Fortnum & Mason is also committed to creating a positive impact in their communities. Partnerships with organisations like The Felix Project in London and Feeding Hong Kong showcase their dedication to reducing food waste and supporting local communities. These initiatives align with their broader vision of embedding sustainability into every aspect of their business.
Additionally, programs like the Future Matters Network, a sustainability-focused employee group, have helped embed environmental responsibility across all levels of the company. By involving employees in the journey, Fortnum’s ensures that sustainability is not just a corporate goal, but a shared mission embraced by their entire team.
Building a Sustainable Future
Fortnum’s journey is a reminder that even the smallest steps can create meaningful change. With a Sustainability Strategy Board chaired by their CEO and Planet Mark as a trusted partner, they’re creating a legacy where tradition and sustainability thrive together.
As we continue to work together, their dedication to resourcefulness and responsibility inspires us all. By embedding sustainability into every part of their operations, Fortnum & Mason is creating a future where heritage and progress go hand in hand.