BUSINESS SUPPORT

Find valuable information to help your business act responsibly across the five commitments of the Watford Business Pledge. Whether you're a start-up looking for space, a scale-up seeking investment or a global brand exploring relocation. The Knowledge Hub has a plethora of resources and general business support and provides information to assist you with your Watford Business Pledge application!

Local focus on procurement policies: Businesses could weave a local focus into procurement policies and utilise local networks to advertise contracts and tenders, Larger businesses could encourage their supply chain to adopt similar principles, and smaller local businesses could consider collaborating to create a stronger local offer which could be more competitive in a large tender situation.

Publishing forward procurement schedules: This helps potential local suppliers be fully aware of opportunities and offer mentoring/support activities so they can prepare and have the best chance of of being successful.

Shop locally: Encourage your employees and service providers to shop locally and ethically, supporting the 'Keep It Local' campaigns.

Supply chain and spend analysis: Conduct a supply chain and spend analysis and develop an action plan to spend more locally where possible.
Prompt payment code: By signing up to this code you are required to pay suppliers within clearly defined terms and there is a proper process for dealing with any issues that may arise. For more information, please click here.

Quotes: All businesses large and small can consider seeking quotes before searching more widely for supply, and potentially benefit from stronger more responsive supplier relationships as well as reduce carbon impact from transit the of goods.

Clear policies: Establishing a clear policy on prompt payment of bills, working towards 30 days as the norm and ensuring that the maximum is no more than 60 days (in line with late payment legislation requirements).

Prompt Payment Commitment (PPC): The PPC is a government standard that ensures businesses are promptly paid what they are owed. You must ensure that all staff are aware of the PPC especially those in finance and purchasing. For more information please click here.

Be open: You need to inform suppliers of your payment procedures and who is responsible for ensuring that payment is made.
Use local products: By using local products you can take advantage of freshness and suppliers are also not constrained by harvesting, packaging and transporting.

Use local services: Using local services has a vast array of benefits, including boosting the local economy, preserving local culture, and promoting entrepreneurship, you can do all this whilst also contributing to environmental sustainability.

Use local event spaces or meeting rooms: Watford is home to dozens of event spaces of a variety of sizes and uses.

Examples of Watford venue spaces (please note, this is not an exhaustive list):

West Herts College: The college have a plethora of event spaces varying in size.

The Pump House: In the 70s the old pumping station that once supplied

water to the Watford area was converted into a theatre auditorium and

rehearsal room.

Watford Palace Theatre: The theatre has been the heart of Watford since

1908. There are various spaces to hire inside.

Cassiobury Park Hub: This space in Cassiobury Park accommodates

between 25 to 30 people and is great for small events and parties.

W3RT Venue Hire: W3RT have two community centres in the heart of

Watford.

Watford Colosseum: Now available for corporate and special events.

Offering a space for every occasion, the capacity is 300 to 1,100 for

conferences and dining events it is up to 450 guests. The Forum Bar offers

a stylish setting for standing receptions, intimate dinners, and smaller

meetings. The capacity is up to 350 standing, or 144 seated on round

tables.

The booking team would love to hear about your upcoming events and

how they can help bring them to life. Please contact:

privatehire@watfordcolosseum.co.uk

Hertfordshire Film Office: Join the film industries supplier directory

Crew and suppliers database

Filming locations database

Work with other local businesses: You can collaborate with other local businesses on projects or staff training.

Register your business on the Hertfordshire Directory for potential supply options to the

public sector.

Watford LinkUp: Use this platform to find and connect with new potential local suppliers or find out about local business events. Create an account here.

Encourage your suppliers: Encourage your own suppliers to consider diversifying their supply base and 'buy local' more often.
Procurement/Sourcing Activities: An example of embedding local into your business values and operations is to put into your contracts that they must use local supply chains.

Staff engagement activities: Encourage your employees to shop locally and ethically and support the 'Keep It Local' campaign.

The Watford Gift Card: This is a scheme which support over 140 businesses in Watford

Town Centre. The gift card is available to order by individuals or corporates and can be a

great treat for your team.

Individual Orders

Corporate Orders

Share with you staff: Share material about local events and activities happening in the town.
Fully Funded Business Support:

Hertfordshire Growth Hub: This organisation can offer free business advice, events and guidance. Find out more here.

Wenta: This organisation offer free business advice and guidance for start-ups, small businesses and sole traders. Find out more here.

Watford LinkUp as your local supply portal: Using the Watford LinkUp platform is a great way to find and connect with other businesses doing similar things. The platform is being developed to help find and connect with potential new suppliers so they can benefit from diversifying their supply base. Whilst specialist requirements can only be delivered elsewhere, there is an immense range of goods and services available within Watford and out immediate surrounding areas.

Find out more

Benefits to having local suppliers:

Flexibility: Local suppliers can be more responsive than those located further away. Particularly in relation to delivery of components, products or materials or for maintenance of premises or equipment.

Control: Face to face relationships allow concerns to be addressed more effectively, with less chance of misinterpretation, which can occur over distance or with large teams of people who may be disconnected with your business. This can help keep high quality standards within your business.

Reduced Costs: Transit of materials, components and products cost less over shorter distances.

Environmental Impact: Transit of materials, components and products has less carbon impact over shorter distances.

Community Impact: A good supply chain and connection to the local community could increase revenue as customers are more likely to have a positive view of your business.

Customer Perception: Revenue could increase by customers having a positive view of your businesses focus on a good supply chain and local community.

FSB- Benefits of buying local: There is a growing trend of people wanting more sustainable food. Businesses using local sources could see reputational benefits, reduction in their organisations carbon footprint and improve employee health, morale and satisfaction. For more information click here.

Support the Council's Shop Local Campaign: Watford has had a market since the 12th century. The market now has indoor and outdoor areas with many of its traders, who have been with us for many years, establish a wonderful reputation for quality, service and value. For more information click here.

Growth Hub Market: Here you can access contact information for other organisations in Hertfordshire who offer consultancy, mentoring and support services. This is a free platform but does require you to create an account. Click here for more information.

Create Growth Programme: This programme supports the creative sector SMEs with high growth potential. The business support package aims to help the SME to join the sector's supply chain. For more information click here.

Local networking groups and events: By attending business networking events you can build relationships, increase industry knowledge and strengthen business connections. Below are some organisations who host events, please note this is not exhaustive:

Watford & West Herts Chamber of Commerce: This is a membership organisation who host many networking events in Watford and surrounding areas throughout the year. For more information please click here.

Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce: This is another membership organisation focusing on facilitating business opportunities for members and providing benefits that assist them in operating profitable businesses. For more information click here.

Meet the Buyer: This is a great opportunity for larger businesses to connect with local suppliers and is part of the Fit to Bid Supply Chain Consultancy programme. The aim of this programme is to empower local SMEs by enhancing their skills to win new and large contracts. For more information please email economicdevelopment@watford.gov.uk

Watford Gift Card: This is a scheme which supports over 140 businesses in Watford Town Centre. The Gift Card is available to order by individuals and can be a great way to reward staff or offer seasonal benefits. For more information please click here or email the Watford Town Centre BID Team at enquiries@watfordtowncentre.com or call 01923 919989

Real Living Wage: Par the Real Living Wage to all employees and workers over the age of 18 (as set out by the Living Wage Foundation this does not include volunteers, apprentices and inters). For more information please click here.

Zero Hour Contracts: Only use zero hour contracts when necessary. Often this will be in areas where there is a business need to manage fluctuations in demand. Responsible use of these contracts is necessary. Sometimes these arrangements can suit both parties bringing mutual benefit, but care should be taken in case of exploitation. Please click here to find out more.

Trade Unions: Trade unions should be engaged with positively, staff should be made aware of potential trade union memberships. Find out more here.

Flexible Working Policies: Include flexible working policies wherever possible. Find out more and the advantages of implementing these policies here.

Federation of Small Businesses (FSB): This is a membership organisation offering small businesses and the self-employed a wide range of business service advice.

Herts Growth Hub: This is the central point of access for business support in the county and works with SMEs to help them grow, scale-up and innovate. They have a plethora of resources targeting recruitment and workforce development. To find out more click here.

Better Business for All (BBfA): This organisation brings together businesses and regulators in local partnerships to identify the issues facing local businesses. They can help businesses grow and comply with laws given by giving advice on general business activities like loans, grants, developing business plans and more. To find out more click here.
FSB Hubs:

Managing Staff

Small Business, Big Skills

Lets Grow Together

Workplace Wellbeing
FSB Articles:

Employment Law and HR

Getting Paid

Health and Wellbeing

Legal Compliance
Organisations to help develop a healthy workplace:

Hertfordshire Growth Hub: This is the central point of access for business support in the county and works with SMEs to help them grow, scale-up and innovate. They have a variety of resources available focused on wellbeing in the workplace. Find out more here.

Hertfordshire Healthy Workplace: This programme supports SMEs from the private and voluntary sector, and their employees by providing them the knowledge, resources, training and skillset needed to create a wellbeing led culture. Find out more here.

What you can do to encourage a healthy workplace environment:

Designate a Health and Wellbeing Champion: Have someone work alongside your HR team to help promote and create a positive work environment. Find out how here.

Flexible Working: Support flexible working to help create an environment where your employees can thrive. Find out more here.

Gather Employee Feedback: Ask for your employees thoughts and feelings towards your the current workplace environment, do they find your current approach to wellbeing supportive and engaging? Gathering this information creates a mechanism of feedback.

Have Clear Commitment from Leaders: Ensure the senior leadership team recognise the importance of a healthy workplace and are encouraging staff to share their views and then communicate the results and take action.

Management Training: This is vital to ensure employees are supported and listened to effectively. Seek to get staff views and ideas on how to make the workplace better.

Good Facilities for Employees: This is a simple yet effective way to attract and retain staff and also create a positive work environment. Examples of good staff facilities can be found in our case studies resource here.

Action Plan: By developing a plan you are supporting your employees and recognising that mental health is on par with physical health. This is important for staff wellbeing and development.
EDI: Under the Equality Act 2010, a person is protected from discrimination throughout the employee lifecycle including recruitment, training and promotion. This Act sets out the main types of discrimination, including the personal attributes or characteristics which the law protects. Good EDI practices make sure the working environment is fair and accessible to everyone. It ensures that people are treated as equals, that people get the dignity and respect they deserve and that their differences are celebrated. A workplace that encourages EDI also helps prevent serious or legal issues arising such as bullying, harassment and discrimination.
Protected Characteristics:
Age

Disability

Gender Reassignment
Marriage and Civil Partnership

Pregnancy and Maternity

Race
Religion or Belief

Sex

Sexual Orientation
HMRC: Here you can find up to date resources, including gender pay gap reports, equality compliance and equality schemes. See more here.

CIPD: On this website you can find fact sheets on topics related to EDI. Find out more here.

ACAS: A workplace encouraging EDI can help make it more successful, keep employees happy and motivated, attract and keep staff and so much more. ACAS have some great resources focusing on what EDI means, training courses, policy templates and more. See more here.

Disability Confident Scheme: The scheme provides knowledge to employers who are committed to EDI in the workplace. Find out more here.

Federation of Small Business (FSB) Without Barriers: This webpage includes case studies from successful business owners who have a disability, guidance from leading experts and organisations, and recommendations from the government. See more here.

White Ribbon: This is the UK's leading charity engaging men and boys to prevent violence against women and girls. The organisation offers the White Ribbon Accreditation which is a commitment made by a workplace to work towards transformational cultural changes in their staff culture, systems and communities. Click here to find out more.

DWP: The job centre highlights the importance of a supportive work environment and have a plethora of resources and advice on how to build a culture of inclusivity and respect. Find out more here.

Hertfordshire Healthy Workplace: They have a wide range of resources targeted at improving health at work. Find out more here.

Age Friendly Employer Pledge: A free nationwide programme run by the Centre of Ageing Better. It helps businesses commit to value older workers and improve work for people in their 50s and 60s. Click here for more information.

Armed Forces Covenant: They acknowledge and understand that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy, and society they serve with their lives. See more here.

Make Your Staff Aware of the Services: There are many services out there that are provided by specialist organisations that can help adjust workspaces to enable those with disabilities to perform at their best. Click here for more information.

Monitor the Diversity in Your Workplace: This should be routinely monitored, and actions should be taken if there are any issues. This could include monitoring your workforce ages, disability status, race, gender and sexual orientation - including any pay gaps related to EDI.

Menopause Toolkit

Neuro Diversity Toolkit

Bitc Factsheet
Offering employees an employee benefits package is a great way to engage and motivate staff and provide them with something meaningful adife from their salary for the hard work they undertake for the business. Even for small businesses, offering an employee benefit package is worth doing. There are many advantages, such as keeping good talent, keeping staff healthy and happy, boosting morale and productivity, and there can also be cost savings to employee and employer through tax advantages of some benefits.

Examples of staff benefits:
Travel to Work Schemes

Good Holiday Entitlements

Investment in training and Staff Development

Performance Related Incentives

Amenities of Offer

Staff Social Activities
Watford Gift Card

Gym Memberships

Dental/Medical

Childcare Support

Employee Assistance Schemes

Legal Advice

Th

Future workforce development is vital to support the gorwth and learning of your people. This investment will not only address present skill shortages and prepare for future demands, it will also ensure your workforce remains relevant.

See below how you can support the development of the future workforce

West Herts College Skills Makers: This brings education and employment closer together by creating a pipeline of young talent with the skill businesses need. Click here to find out more.

University of Hertfordshire: The university hosts events for local employers to recruit students. For more information, click here.

Shap Curriculums: Work with schools or colleges to help shape the curriculum to ensure students are aware of the career opportunities available to them and provide practical support to help them develop the skills they need to succeed in the future labour market. See below some examples:

Services for Young People

Careers and Enterprise Company

Enterprise Advisor: Become an Enterprise Advisor and work with schools and colleges to provide strategic support and help to develop and implement an effective careers strategy that puts opportunities with local employers at the heart of a young person's education. Information can be found here.

Work Placements/Taster Days: Explore offering these to local young people, as well as giving a young person valuable experience, this can help you test out future employees before taking them on full time.

Services for Young People

West Herts College

Creation of employment and training: Encourage employment and training opportunities as part of procurement and sub-contracting arrangements - in sectors where appropriate - and encourage sub-contractors to do the same.

Amazing Apprenticeships: This is one agency in the education sector, working with schools, colleges and employers. They have a comprehensive list of resources to guide employers through employing an apprentice. For more information please click here or email kerrie@amazingapprentices.com

THCH: They are a training provider, offering a wide range of training courses and support those looking for jobs. Employers can collaborate with THCH to access a large pool of job-ready candidates. For more information please click here.

Step2Skills: They partner with employers to help local residents facing barriers to access employment, education and training. To find out more click here.

Read More

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Investing in staff training and development helps improve the knowledge and skills of employees to match the various changes in the industry. These improvements with positively affect the productivity of workers leading to profits and efficiency of the organisation increasing.

See below methods you can implement for staff training and development:

Employee Development Plan: Create a plan which is regularly updated and includes succession planning where appropriate.

Training suggested by staff: Enable staff to suggest training they would like to attend and gain skills to deliver their current role, take on further responsibility or for a promotion opportunity.

Hertfordshire Opportunities Portal (HOP): Here you can find a wide range of courses both paid and free, There is a tab on the sire specifically for employers. Find out more here.

Watford Opportunities: Provides free support to small and medium sized businesses to upskill employees, support career progression, recruit and retain staff, address skills shortages and support Watford businesses to increase productivity and grow. Find out more here.

Step2Skills: They offer a range of free workshops to Hertfordshire employers looking to help their staff develop their skills. Click here for more information.

Offer Apprenticeships: This can be part of staff development for those working in the organisation. The best place is to start by speaking to your local Skills Advisors who can guide you through the best options for your business. HOP have a page on their site providing guidance for employers. For more information please click here.

Action Plan: Develop targets to create employment and training opportunities, through activities such as apprenticeships, bespoke traineeship schemes, work experience and placements. For more information and examples please click here.

FSB: Small Business Big Skills is a hub on their site focusing on engaging with education providers, train new talent and recruit staff. Click here to find out more.

Construction Industry Training Board (CITB): You can access training grants, funding and apprenticeships here as well as other sources of support, help and advice. Please contact the South Hertfordshire region: Anneli Somlo anneli.somlo@citb.co.uk 07768 083882
Explore Local Talent: Local agencies who provide training and employment support can help source suitable candidates for you. Whilst some specialist roles may require a wider search there is a rich range of skills and experience that can be accessed through local routes. Exploring local avenues to find staff can increase the range of candidates companies can choose from, and can bring a more diverse applicant pool that the obvious established routes can't.

Job centres and Employer Advisors: Did you know the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), have Recruitment Specialist that can fill your job Vacancies for Free? The average time to recruit a new employee is 44 days, the DWP can do this in 7 days. The average cost to recruit is £3,000, the DWP can do this for FREE! Services available:

CV Sifting

Planned interview days

Free room to conduct the interviews

Training for up to 6 weeks, if you have 2 or more job roles

Work trials

All customers are booked an appointment and matched before any interview, work trial and training.

Your local DWP team:

Naomi Davey - Recruitment Specialist naomi.davey@dwp.gov.uk 07500 825666

Verity Hamlin - Recruitment Specialist verity.hamlin@dwp.gov.uk 07554 112297

Davina Gilbert - Recruitment Specialist davina.gilbert@dwp.gov.uk 07795 640426

Laura Pumilia - Recruitment laura.pumilia@dwp.gov.uk 07741234305

Anthony Ford - Matcher anthony.ford@dwp.gov.uk

Re-Start Scheme: This Government scheme can also support employers to connect with local jobseekers; in Watford this is delivered through Reed in Partnership. For more information please click here.

CV's and Applications: Be open to taking CV's and applications from people directly or in person, rather than solely relying on the online recruiters and selection engines filtering candidates for you.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI): Incorporating EDI into your recruitment process enables you to recruit and promote the best people for the job, irrespective of who they are. This might include ensuring all hiring managers have undertaken equality and diversity training and signing up to the Disability Confident Scheme, or a professional body, accreditation or campaign to ensure inclusive employment.

Purple Tuesday

Investors in People

Step2SKills: A fully funded service by Hertfordshire County Council (free to employers) that can help to create a more inclusive and diverse workforce. They offer a bespoke recruitment advice and matching services, along with support to achieve Disability Confident Scheme recognition. For more information please click here.

Employer Help and Advice: 'Find a Job' is a free service where you can post job openings. For more information please click here.

Apprentice or University Student Placement: This can help you shape candidates to help them develop the skills and competencies that you need within your business. The best place to start is to speak to a local skills advisor who can guide you through the options for your business.

Hertfordshire Opportunities

Requirements specified in job adverts: Consider removing an unnecessary barriers to allow for the widest possible candidate pool. For example, try not to specify qualifications where evidence could be more appropriate.
Hertfordshire Growth Hub: This organisation can offer business advice, access to events and guidance. Click here for more information.

ACAS: This organisation gives employees and employers free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice. Click here for more information.

Wenta: This organisation offers free business advice and guidance to start-ups, small businesses and sole traders. For more information please click here

Wenta's advice on Payroll:

Setting up a payroll

Annual reporting and tasks, part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, and part 5

Handling pay and wages

Wenta's advice on contracts:

Legal documents for start-ups

eek guidance on reducing water use in industrial processes
Turn off taps when not in use
Only use the dishwasher and washing machine when fully loaded
Encourage staff to report any leaks promptly and fix them to prevent water wastage
Create and regularly review a climate/sustainability action plan. Consider the areas below:

Net Zero Emissions: Net zero means measuring and reducing the greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted through operations and activities (both direct and indirect), and then, for those emissions which can be eliminated, offset to achieve net zero. The plan should outline how you will achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050 in the short-term and medium term.

Assessment and reports: Log your business's emissions from direct energy consumption (fuel) and indirect energy consumption (electricity), commonly known as Scope 1 and Scope 2, respectively. Find guidance on how to do this here.

Watford Environmental Manager's Network: This is a free network where you can gain insight into how other businesses are achieving their sustainability goals and share practices. To join the network please email: sustainability@watford.gov.uk

Wenta Net Zero: Wenta provide Free support to help businesses in reduce their carbon footprint. Find out more and access free support here.

Business with more than 50 employees should also consider the below areas:

Assessment and reports: Log your businesses indirect emissions from the supply of goods and services (supply chain), commonly known as Scope 3. Please find guidance on how to do this here.

Setting targets: Have a trajectory towards achieving Net Zero emissions aligned with capping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius. Find guidance on how to do this here.

Identify ways to reduce energy: For example
Travel Planning: Promote and encourage staff to explore environmentally friendly alternatives for community to work, and reduce travel emissions. Find guidance on how to do this here.

Promote alternatives to driving to work: such as walking, cycling or using public transport

Incentives: Provide incentives for employees who choose sustainable travel options, such as subsidies for public transport passes or bike-share memberships.

Install provisions: These could be electric vehicle charging stations at the workplace

Alternative working arrangements: Encourage remote working to reduce the need for daily commuting and/or flexible work hours to allow employees to avoid peak commuting times, reducing congestion and emissions.

Switch fleets: Invest in electric vehicles or cargo bikes wherever possible.

ModeShift: This is a membership organisation offering to support travel delivery. Find out more here.

Natural Environmental Ecosystems: Implement strategies to reduce food wastage, minimise air pollution and conserve water resources, while promoting the integration of green spaces as natural environments, where feasible.

Improve local biodiversity: This can be done by identifying ways and taking actions to incorporate nature into your business-operated premises - plant trees or a wildflower patch, create a mini pond, log shelter or hedgehog corridor.

You can use the below resources to help you achieve this:

How to help wildlife at work - The Wildlife Trust

Biodiversity Benchmark - The Wildlife Trust

Identify and take action: This is to minimise pollution to the local area, such as light and air pollution. This both improves local biodiversity and human health.

Use the below resources to help you achieve this:

International Dark Sky Association - Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting

World Economic Forum - 5 Ways Businesses Can Clear Up Air

International Day of Clean Air

Office-based activities: Identify ways and take actions to reduce water usage for office-based activities, as well as any industrial processes. Install water-saving devices and increase staff awareness around water-saving behaviour.

Use the below resources to help you achieve this:

Water Saving Tips - Affinity Water

Nature and natural environments: Explore ways to incorporate these into your businesses. For example:

Designated areas: These can be gardens, green roofs, or outdoor seating surrounded by plants and trees

Maximise natural light: Indoor through large windows, skylights, or glass walls to reduce reliance on artificial lights

Use of plants: Plants can be enhanced indoor air quality

Meetings: Hold meetings in outdoor green spaces

Minimise pollution: Identify ways and take action to minimise any pollution impacts your business may have on the local area, such as light pollution, air pollution, land pollution and water pollution.

Responsible resource use: Adopt waste reduction and resource conservation measures to promote sustainability and responsible management. For example:

Identify and action: Find methods to reduce water usage for office-based activities, as well as any industrial processes. Methods include:
Seek guidance to reduce energy used in industrial processes
Seek guidance to improve the energy efficiency of commercial buildings and workspaces
Source sustainable materials: This will be for use in the production and operations

Certifications: Source materials and products that are certified as sustainably sourced or produced

Prioritise sustainable sourcing practices: This can be done by selecting suppliers and partners who adhere to ethical and environmental standards

Procurement: Embed sustainability in procurement policies and encourage or require suppliers to do the same

Single-use plastic: Reduce the use of single-use plastic and opt or reusable alternatives

Packaging: Reduce packaging and encourage the use of reusable materials and containers

Digital documents: Implement digital document management systems and encourage electronic communication and documentation to reduce paper usage

Printing: If you do need to print documents, ensure the printers default settings are to double-sided, encourage printing only when necessary, and use recycled paper to minimise paper use

Waste Management:

Reduce waste going to landfill: Produce a 'waste hierarchy' which conveys the principles or reduce, reuse, recycle, recover - then landfill

Policies: Be ready for the new trade waste recycling policies being implemented in 2025. For guidance and information please go here or visit Watford Council - Simpler Recycling

Food waste: Identify ways and take action to reduce food waste and promote plant-based alternatives

If you provide food either to employees or customers:

Plant-based food: Ensure that there is at least one plant-based menu option. Plant-based food contains no animal meat or by-product, such as meat, fish, dairy, eggs, gelatine or honey.

Use the below resources to help you achieve this:

The simple formula to cut your diet's carbon footprint - BBC Food

Plant-based recipes - BBC Food

Minimise food waste: Any leftover catering to be donated to be homeless shelters, food banks and food charities

Businesses with more than 50 employees should also consider the below:

Carbon implications: Provide information on the carbon implications of your food choices. This requires the emissions of each food choice to be calculated and then clearly displayed. Examples can be found at restaurants like Wahaca, Churchill College and Camille Thai

Adapting to change:

Demonstrate adaptability to embrace sustainability changes, ensuring a resilient and environmentally responsible approach to operation

Climate change presents a severe risk to how we operate, both in the short and long term. For instance, we are seeing warmer, wetter winters in the UK, with increased flooding. This can impact how we travel, access to services and the price of commodities. Businesses need to be aware of these increased risks and opportunities to alleviate or mitigate them.

Address the climate and ecological emergency in your business risk register

UK Climate Risk Register - Climate Change Committee

Independent Assessment of UK Climate Risk - UK Climate Risk

Climate Adaption Toolkit - Local Partnerships

How to develop a climate risk register - NI Adapts

Risk register: Include environmental and climate risk within your business risk register, business continuity plans and include actions to mitigate and adapt

Staff development: Offer staff training and education programmes to employees to raise awareness and build capacity for sustainable practices

Embrace change: Be innovative and adaptable to stay ahead of emerging sustainability trends and regulations

Goals: Regularly monitor and report progress towards sustainability goals, encouraging transparency and accountability

Resources
Sustainability Pledge Scope 1&2
Sustainability Pledge Scope 3
Sustainability Pledge Staff Travel
Simpler Recycling Guide
Governance and Organisational Commitment: Implement policies and measures to ensure accountability, transparency and commitment to environmentally sustainable practices, integrating them into the company mission, vision and values. Examples of how to do this:

Identify a representative: This is someone from the business to lead on sustainability. This could be a unique job role or an additional responsibility for someone, with clear responsibilities set out and understood by the individual.

Sustainability leadership: The Council have designated a team member to lead sustainability efforts. This role ensures a dedicated focus on sustainability, continuous progress, and accurate data capture. Our sustainability leader drives initiatives, monitors advancements, and integrates sustainability practices into our daily operations. Our Sustainability journey is shared with internal staff.

Relevant information: This information and knowledge is to be shared with employees in a clear and accessible way, with workplace initiatives to encourage staff support.

Senior representatives: Identify someone from the business to lead and report on sustainability. This signals to staff, suppliers, customers and clients that sustainability is a priority for the business and helps to embed sustainable practices throughout the organisation.

Goals: Regularly monitor and report progress towards sustainability goals, encouraging transparency and accountability.

Policies: Implement policies and measures to ensure accountability, transparency and commitment to environmentally sustainable practices, integrating them into the company mission, vision and values.

Sustainability considerations: Embed sustainability considerations into core business strategies and decision-making processes.

Staff development: Offer training and education programmes to employees to raise awareness and build capacity for sustainability practices.

Acknowledgements: Secure an organisational accreditation or form of recognition to environmental sustainability.
Champion and promote: Tell your clients and customers about your sustainability commitments and ask your suppliers and contractors about their sustainability commitments. Examples of how to do this:

Website: Include information clearly on your website about what you are doing, how and why

Review contracts: Organise meetings with your suppliers to review your contracts and ensure sustainability is a priority

Sustainability communication: The Council actively share our sustainability journey with new prospects, demonstrating our commitment and progress. By communicating our initiatives and achievements, we aim to inspire others and contribute to a broader culture of sustainability.

Collaboration: Collaborate with stakeholders, including employees, customers, suppliers and communities to gain support and input for sustainability initiatives in the workplace and business operations about outside of the workplace to.

Branding: Link your sustainability activities and credentials with your brand, to make customers, competitors and investors aware of your ethos.

Businesses with over 5 employees should also consider the below:

Collaboration: Investigate collaborative working with other companies, key stakeholders, including employees, customers, suppliers and communities to gain support and input for sustainability initiatives in the workplace and business operations, and outside of the workplace too.

Procurement: Embed sustainability requirements in your procurement policies and supplier contracts and monitor how they are delivered. Up to 90% of a business's environmental impact can lie in the supply chain. For example Watford Council enhanced requirements around sustainability and social value in its procurement strategy - Watford Borough Council Procurement Strategy

Other resources include:

The 1.5 degree supplier Engagement Guide - Exponential Roadmap

How to be a good supplier - The Carbon Trust

Cutting carbon from the supply chain - The Carbon Trust

Resources
Watford Environmental Managers Network: Watford is committed to working with communities and businesses to achieve our aim to be carbon neutral by 2030. The Watford Environmental Managers Network is a place for you to express your views on making Watford a cleaner, greener town. Yo join the Network, please email sustainability@watford.gov.uk

Sustainability Hub: The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) have an area on their website dedicated to sustainability and Net Zero. Click here to find our more.

UK Business Climate Hub: This Hub provides net zero advice for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK. Click here to find out more.

Visitor economy businesses: Visit Britain have created a step by step guide for measuring your emissions. Click here to find out more.

Accreditations:

The ISO 14001 is an accreditation for environmental management. Click here to find out more.

B Corp accreditation. Find out more here.

Science-Based Targets initiatives (SBTi) Guide for SMEs: These are targets that are in line with the latest climate science deems necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement - limiting global warming to 1.5c above pre-industrial levels.

Targets: Create science-based targets with clearly defined pathways for companies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, this helps prevent the worst impacts of climate change and future-proof business growth. For more information please click here.

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol: Apply the world's most widely used greenhouse gas accounting standards and guidance. Offer tools and resources enabling companies to develop completeness and reliable inventories of their GHG emissions.

Guidance for businesses making environmental claims: Green claim codes: making environmental claims - Gov.uk

This is not a definitive list, if you would like further information please email economicdevelopment@watford.gov.uk

Council for Voluntary Services (CVS): Watford and Three Rivers Trust (W3RT) deliver the CVS, which is there to connect and support voluntary and community organisations. Watford's wide-ranging group of voluntary and community organisations are keen to foster greater working with the local business community, and W3RT can help facilitate this. If you are a Watford or Three Rivers business and want to connect with local organisations please visit here or contact the CVS Lead for Watford Suzannah Brunert susannahbrunert@w3rt.org

W3RT Community Directory: This is a helpful tool when wanting to locate and contact organisations in the local area. To access the directory click here.

There are local organisations who can offer guidance on social value and engaging with the third sector

Herts Growth Hub

Wenta

Herts Community Foundation (HCF)

The Giving Machine
Voluntary Sector: Watford has over 400 registered charities, alongside a range of dynamic local community organisations. People often think about donations or volunteering as the way to connect with charities, but there are a wide range of ways through which businesses can help the voluntary sector. There are also many ways that the voluntary sector can help businesses.

Environmental, Social Governance (ESG)/Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR): Larger organisations that have normal ESG/CSR policies often seek charities to partner with to deliver against these organisational policies and commitments. Clearly there are many fantastic national charities to work with, but finding a good fit with a local organisation can bring great benefit to both parties.

Professional Mentoring Support: A business could offer professional mentoring support for individuals or departments within the charity.

Support Specific Services: Offer to support specific services, such as finance, HR or marketing

Meet with Local Organisations: This way you can exchange ideas to develop new projects or initiatives which can benefit both organisations.

Examples of EDI Activities:

Team building opportunities: running fundraiser days and activities can be a good way to build trust within your team.

Working with the local community: This can lead to understanding local issues and help develop plans to bring more support.

Sponsorship

Donations
This is not a definitive list, if you would like your organisations schemes listed, please contact the Economic Development Team economicdevelopment@watford.gov.uk

Volunteering in Watford: Watford has a network of amazing volunteers who contribute their time and energy into maintaining the parks and open spaces so that they are wonderful places for everyone to visit and enjoy. To find out more and volunteer click here.

One YMCA Corporate Connect Club: This is a platform for businesses to work with the charity. For more information, please click here.

Watford Community Fund: This fund is here to help communities in Watford. Organisations can become supporters to raise money for the fund and help with charity events. To find out more click here.

Cassiobury Park - Corporate Volunteering: Cassiobury Park is the largest and most loved park in Watford, covering 250 acres. Cassiobury park has been voted for by the public within the top 10 parks in Britain at the Green Flag People's Choice Awards. The site has a diverse range of habitats and provides opportunities for corporate teams to get actively involved and make a difference for local wildlife.

Corporate Volunteering Opportunities

Book a session with volunteering organisations: Arrange a bespoke team building experience by working with a specialist charity. This would include staff expertise/supervision, tools, first aider and insurance for all activities. Can cater for larger work parties - up to 60 people, although the team would be split into groups undertaking different tasks as tools are limited.

Herts and Middlesex WIldlife Trust and the Conservation Volunteer: These organisations work on improving our habitats at the park. They both have corporate volunteering programmes and deliver activities in Cassiobury Park. Follow the links below for further details and costs:

Herts Middlesex Wildlife Trust

The Conservation Volunteers

Park staff led sessions: Corporate work parties led by Cassiobury park staff members, this would provide staff expertise/supeervision, tools, first aiders and insurance for all activities. Groups of no more than 30 people. Donations of materials are welcome. Please note there is limited availability and recommend booking in advance. Contact: cassiobury@watford.gov.uk

Self led team sessions: Teams planning a self-led session at the park. Please inform the parks team cassiobury@watford.gov.uk they will assign you a location and practical tasks for your organisation to undertake. The parks team requires a copy of your event risk assessment and public liability insurance. No fee for this option.

Practical Conservation Work
City
Temperature °F
Forecast
Humidity
Washington, DC
58
63%
Philadelphia
58
53%
New York
60
43%
Activity
Duration
Area
Benefits

Seek guidance to reduce energy used in industrial processes	Seek guidance to improve the energy efficiency of commercial buildings and workspaces

City	Temperature °F	Humidity
Washington, DC	58	63%
Philadelphia	58	53%
New York	60	43%

Activity	Duration	Area	Benefits

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