Nature has been given a say in the decision-making process of a second UK company, as House of Hackney appointed a ‘nature guardian’ in November. The London-based firm, which sells wallpaper, paint, furnishings and fabric, is committed to sustainability and wishes to connect its customers with nature. The nature guardian, appointed by faith-based beauty firm Faith In Nature, which pioneered the concept in 2022, has a formal say in corporate decisions that could impact long-term sustainability. They have access to external advisors to support their understanding of specialist topics, and the firm will be required to publish reasons for any decisions it makes that go against their advice.
Co-founder Frieda Gormley said that thinking about nature’s response had already made her company reconsider a lucrative partnership offer. Having a guardian present “speaking for nature is huge” explained Simeon Rose, creative director of Faith In Nature. Rose has already heard the question, “What would nature think?”, asked on House of Hackney’s factory floor.
The approach adopted by House of Hackney and Faith In Nature is part of a growing trend towards the definition of a specific corporate purpose beyond purely financial profit. Firms involved in the Better Business Act campaign are working to ensure all UK companies align their interests with the environment and broader society. Feedback on this new way of operating has been overwhelmingly positive, with Rose reporting that the approach is seen as more of a mindset shift than a black and white process. Faith In Nature has even published an open-source guide on its website for companies interested in adopting a similar approach.
The role of nature guardian is “an absolute privilege” according to Brontie Ansell, a senior lecturer in law and director of Lawyers For Nature who was the first to hold the position at Faith In Nature. Ansell initially listened to corporate discussions for a number of months before expressing the natural world’s views and voting accordingly. Rose reported that he has been contacted by a wide range of firms, charities and councils expressing an interest in the process
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