WE LOVE LANARKSHIRE Launches Clean and Green Forum
- Gavin Tweedie
- 24 hours ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 7 hours ago
BE-ST campus, Blantyre. 11th June 2026: After years of working globally, there’s no greater honour than returning to the area I grew up in to support local businesses in unlocking the commercial benefits, efficiency, and competitive advantages that come from making responsible growth their standard practice.
Ray and I were delighted to attend and support today’s highly productive workshop on responsible growth and circularity at the WE LOVE LANARKSHIRE community launch of the Clean and Green Forum, at the BE-ST (Built Environment, Smarter Transformation) facility in Blantyre -> a beacon to inspire a strong, sustainable and smarter built environment.
Hosted by Neil Barnes of the Verdancy Group, Neil spoke passionately about his belief that actions need to be taken now to alleviate the climate crisis, and it is within our collective powers if we all choose to get involved.
The event was moderated by the excellent Stallone-Obaraemi Samuel who got the group really engaged in the sessions. His expertise in connecting people, building trust, and creating the conditions for collaboration are the foundations that enable communities like We Love Lanarkshire to harness the power of many and turn shared ambition into meaningful action.
Bob Wortherspoon started the event by introducing the supporting organisations who made it such a special day.
Bob went on to provide us with a valuable reminder why he founded the community and the impact he’s aiming to achieve with it.
Stallone-Obaraemi Samuel literally brought the audience to their feet at the start of the event and this set the tone for lively and collaborative conversations. This clip shows the energy in the room.
The Responsible Growth Session
We led a session on circularity supported by industry specialist, Michael Cusack from ACS Clothing.
WLL member, ACS is a leading circular fashion company that extends the life of garments through repair, refurbishment, rental, and resale services, making it a recognised industry exemplar for demonstrating how sustainability and profitability can successfully go hand in hand.
We began by asking the attendees what does Responsible Growth mean to you ?
Views from the Workshop
Building something that lasts, the right way.
We once described this approach to business as sustainability or net zero, but those terms can divide opinion, when we're trying to bring people together. Responsibility is different. It builds trust.
Trust influences buying decisions, strengthens relationships, and supports long-term success. Businesses that operate responsibly are more likely to earn confidence, create value, and achieve responsible growth.
The convergence of people, planet and prosperity for long-term responsible growth
Today, organisations must demonstrate responsible practices across people, planet, ethics, and supply chains. The companies best positioned for long-term success are those that create value for customers, employees, communities, and shareholders alike.
The Power of Many
We spoke about circles of concern. What can we actually influence, actually change ? Global challenges can feel overwhelming, but meaningful change starts with focusing on what we can control, influencing what we can, and collaborating with others to achieve more.
This is where We Love Lanarkshire plays a vital role. By bringing together like-minded businesses, organisations and individuals, it amplifies collective action and creates a stronger voice for positive change. Together, we can achieve far more than we can alone.
History proves the power of collective action. In the 1980s, governments, businesses and communities united to tackle the depletion of the ozone layer by phasing out harmful CFCs. Since their ban in the 1990s, the ozone layer has been steadily recovering demonstrating what is possible when people come together around a shared goal.
The lesson is simple: focus on what you can control, work together to influence what you can't, and never underestimate the power of many people taking action in the same direction.
The Circularity Workshop
The teams discussed the principles of circularity and how they can be applied within their business.
"In nature, nothing is wasted. Everything becomes something else. The circular economy simply applies this wisdon to the way we live, work and consume. Building on three decades of circular fashion experience, ACS is now applying the same principles to workwear, uniforms and PPE. By refurbishing, repairing, redeploying and recovering garments, organisations can significantly reduce costs, cut carbon emissions, improve resource efficiency and maximise the value of existing assets."
This is especially poignant when you consider that the fashion industry is responsible for
8–10% of global carbon emissions more than the combined emissions of all international flights and maritime shipping.
Summary of the workshop attendees ideas
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