Sustainability award for Marshalls' marketing director
Chris Harrop
Chris Harrop, Marshalls’ group marketing director, responsible for sustainability, has been awarded a prestigious BITC’s Game Changer accolade.
In its 30th year of campaigning on responsible business issues, BITC has launched the one-off Game Changers accolade to recognise and celebrate the critical role that individuals have played in driving forward the responsible business movement.
This award honours 123 professionals that have been most influential and transformed the responsible business agenda over the last 30 years.
Stephen Howard, Chief Executive at BITC, said: “We are delighted to be able to recognise some of the brightest stars in corporate responsibility through our Game Changers award.
"As a campaigning membership organisation we are dependent on individuals from business to help us drive the agenda. Without the energy and passion of Game Changers like Chris I doubt very much if the UK responsible business movement would be quite so mature. They truly deserve this recognition which I hope will act as an inspiration to others.”
Graham Holden, Marshalls Chief Executive commented: “Chris has worked long and hard to develop the sustainability agenda within Marshalls and to drive positive change within the organisation and throughout the wider landscaping sector.
"I’m delighted that his passion and drive have been recognised by BITC in this very public way. Under Chris’s guidance, Marshalls really is delivering on its promise of “Creating Better Landscapes”, socially, environmentally and economically.”
Under Chris' direction Marshalls became a member of BITC in 2007 and his pioneering spirit and vision saw the Company become a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact in 2009.
The impact of his work spans both corporate and product sustainability in the UK and overseas; from reducing Marshalls’ environmental impact, being the first in the world at the time to carbon footprint over 3,500 products, developing products which alleviate flood risks, and driving a programme of human rights impact assessments.
“It’s fantastic that this Game Changer Award acknowledges and recognises the individuals who continually push the boundaries and challenge their organisations to do more," said Chris.
"I count myself very fortunate to be in a position to influence and drive the sustainability agenda and to work within my areas of influence to shift corporate responsibility from niche to mainstream."
