Success for Wightlink at the Big Sustainability Awards

Ferry operator Wightlink has won the Communicating Sustainability Award at the Big Sustainability Awards in Southampton.

Organised by the Southern Sustainability Partnership, the Big Sustainability Awards recognises public organisations and businesses bettering the planet and minimising their impact on the environment while setting trends in their industry.

The ferry company, which sails from Hampshire to the Isle of Wight, won the award for its communication of its hybrid energy strategy.

This year, St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton hosted the awards, bringing together some of the best in sustainable business from across the country.

2022 saw the awards receiving their highest number of entries so far, translating to more than 100 companies in attendance.

While Megan McCubbin, the zoologist, conservationist, photographer and TV presenter who was originally planned to host the awards, was unfortunately taken ill hours before the event kicked off, the organisers and attendees were treated to a surprise when Megan’s stepfather and co-presenter of BBC2’s Spring-Watch, AutumnWatch & WinterWatch, Chris Packham CBE stepped in to host the event on her behalf.

Gosport-based GHS Group, a local business which takes pride in its support of sustainability innovation and problem-solving, was the Awards Ambassador for the third year running.

The Communicating Sustainability Award, sponsored by ethical PR agency Warrior Agency, is awarded to an organisation which has driven action on key sustainability issues. The judges were looking for a campaign which engaged, entertained, elicited action and led to tangible shifts in behaviour.

Founder of Warrior Agency, Lizzie McManus, said: “Communication is key for promoting sustainability, by sharing best practices, other organisations can improve their own sustainability journey while clients and customers can also make well-informed decisions.

“All too often we want to ‘do the right thing’ but understanding what that is can be a challenge. That’s where communication comes in.”

Read more - Solent ferry service Wightlink appoints new commercial director

Warrior Agency was given four finalists to choose from following independent judging of all the entries. The overall winner, Wightlink, was announced on the night.

Lizzie said: “Wightlink secured the award by successfully communicating the building of its hybrid energy flagship and companywide green agenda. We were really impressed with Wightlink’s communication strategy and output.”

The other finalists passed on to Warrior Agency were WP Group, a renewable fuel management service with a ‘Fuelling Change’ initiative; Efeca Dorset Sustainable Palm Oil Community, a county-wide project to get local businesses exclusively using sustainable palm oil; and Futerra.

Lizzie added: “It was really tough choosing a winner as all of the finalists have done a fantastic job of communicating sustainability. We could only choose one winner, and for us it was clear that Wightlink deserved it, they’ve done an amazing job at inspiring change and shifting attitudes within their industry, all through communication and brilliantly thought-out campaigns.”

Keith Greenfield, Chief Executive at Wightlink said: ‘We’re thrilled to receive this award. Sustainability is at the core of our business, and we’ve all worked really hard to make our communications as effective as possible, so this award really means a lot. We hope to inspire others in our industry and show that change is possible in any sector.’

Read more - Solent LEP sustainability support programme returns

Featured image: L-R sponsor - Lizzie McManus, winner - Wightlink, Chris Packham. Credit: Warrior Agency