Environmental & Social Responsibility

Impact starts here

For many years, Gardner Leader has played an active and supportive role in its local communities, purpose-driven to make a positive impact and offer Peace of Mind for its clients, employees, local communities and the planet. We recognise that the global environmental and social issues facing us all are becoming urgent and acknowledge the vital role that businesses must play in turning things around.  Future generations and the future of our planet depend on us acting now.

Over the past few years, we have commenced a journey without an end point – a mission to become a more responsible business for both People and Planet. We have put people and planet at the heart of our decision-making and Strategic Plan for the near future. We have also included a clear commitment within our firm’s blueprint – its LLP Agreement (the legal document outlining how the business will be run and how profits, duties and liabilities are shared). There are now so many inspirational businesses working incredibly hard and achieving wonderful things.  We aim to become one of these inspirational businesses, but we have work to do…

Gardner Leader is pleased to confirm its support for the Better Business Act. The Better Business Act is a UK‑wide campaign to amend Section 172 of the Companies Act, ensuring every company is legally required to balance the interests of people, planet and profit, not just shareholders, when making decisions.

We support the Better Business Act because it aligns with our commitment to environmental and social responsibility. Embedding stakeholder and environmental duties into law will strengthen responsible decision-making across our supply chain. Learn more on the Better Business Act homepage – Home page – Better Business Act

Gardner Leader has appointed an Environmental & Social Responsibility Manager, who structures our progress and keeps track of key data, to measure and target improvements. We have set up our exciting ‘Impact’ initiative to engage employees throughout the firm, raising awareness through employee events and planning improvements across four key areas of Environmental and Social Responsibility.

Nature and environment

At Gardner Leader, we recognise that even service-based businesses have an environmental impact, from employee travel and office energy use to waste generation and supply chain emissions. That is why we have measured our base-year carbon footprint across Scopes 1, 2, and 3, laying the groundwork for a targeted Carbon Reduction Plan.

Our firm-wide Nature and Environment working group drives initiatives like litter-picking lunchtimes, installing swift boxes, planting bee-friendly greenery, and hosting events with environmental experts. We are reducing paper use through smart tech, offering recycling facilities, and planting trees globally via an organisation called ‘Ecologi’ for every Client Feedback Survey received. While we know there is much more to do, we are proud to be taking meaningful steps to reduce our footprint and support biodiversity. For local collaboration or ideas, please contact our Environmental & Social Responsibility Manager, Chris Dale, at c.dale@gardner-leader.co.uk.

Wellness at work

At Gardner Leader, we are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels supported, empowered and able to thrive. Our holistic approach to wellbeing spans physical, mental, and emotional health, with initiatives like our ‘Wellness at Work’ group and dedicated Wellbeing Support Team offering resources, events and guidance on everything from stress and neurodiversity to climate anxiety. We promote an active lifestyle through running clubs, charity events and our annual Step Challenge, while our “Good News for Monday Blues” brings positivity to the start of the week.

At the heart of it all is our mission to provide Peace of Mind, not just to clients, but to every member of our team.

Diversity and inclusion

We celebrate individuality and strive to create a culture where everyone feels seen, heard, and free to be themselves. Our Diversity and Inclusion working group leads initiatives across six key pillars; Disability, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Age, Race and Ethnicity, and Cultural and Religious Backgrounds. The group aims to ensure that our workplace is inclusive and respectful. From prayer spaces and cultural calendars to LGBTQ+ allyship and inclusive facilities, we are committed to removing barriers and fostering understanding. We believe that a diverse, authentic team not only enriches our firm but also enhances the way we support our clients and communities.

Community and charity

We are proud to give back to the communities that support us through fundraising, volunteering, sponsorship and awareness initiatives. We always try to support charities with local or meaningful links to Gardner Leader and have done so for several years.

We’ve proudly supported a range of incredible charities over the years, including Newbury Soup Kitchen, Thames Valley Air Ambulance, Pancreatic Cancer UK, Swing and Smiles, Naomi House, Blood Cancer UK, Race for Life, Newbury Cancer Care and Parkinsons UK. Each has made a meaningful impact, and we’re grateful to have contributed to their work. Currently, we’re supporting Prospect Hospice, whose compassionate care continues to make a real difference in our communities.

We also actively support local events such as GreenFest, Newbury 10K, and Thatcham KidFest and contribute to school career fairs and mentoring. Many of our team serve in their own time as trustees for local charities and we regularly host inspiring speakers and community business events to raise awareness and provide platforms for meaningful causes. We also offer student work placements to help young people explore careers in law.

Our four working groups meet regularly to share ideas and help drive real change, staying true to the values that shape our culture.

We encourage everyone across the firm to bring a sense of ownership, creativity, and energy to our Environmental and Social initiatives. We value diverse perspectives and are committed to a culture of inclusion, where everyone is treated with kindness, respect and integrity.

Ultimately, we want Gardner Leader to be a place where people genuinely enjoy working and where everyone feels part of something bigger, making a positive impact for our teams, communities, charities, biodiversity, and the planet.