Surrey Hills Enterprises proudly announces the appointment of Maggie Howell as its new Chief Executive Officer

Maggie succeeds the esteemed Wendy Varcoe, who is retiring after 7 years of dedicated service. Maggie Howell brings a wealth of experience and a relentless commitment to advancing the organisation’s vision of fostering a thriving sustainable rural economy in the Surrey Hills.

Maggie Howell’s appointment marks an exciting chapter for Surrey Hills Enterprises, as she steps into the role with boundless energy, passion, and enthusiasm. With over 20 years of experience in running two award-winning local, national, and international businesses, as well as three decades of expertise in marketing, event management, team leadership, and stakeholder management, Maggie is primed to build on Wendy’s incredible success.

“I am honoured and thrilled to lead Surrey Hills Enterprises into its next phase of growth and development,” said Maggie Howell. “Wendy’s legacy is undeniable, and I am committed to continuing her remarkable work of supporting environmentally sustainable businesses, promoting our members to the wider community and forging collaborations with key partners.”

 

Maggie’s deep understanding of Surrey Hills Enterprises, gained from her five years of dedicated service and her intimate knowledge of every member and facet of the organization, positions her as the ideal leader for this role. As an entrepreneur herself, Maggie brings a profound empathy for small businesses, coupled with a relentless drive for collaboration and business support.

Come and meet Maggie

To mark her appointment, Maggie will host her inaugural event on May 23rd, in partnership with the Surrey Sustainable Business Network, coinciding with the launch of the new Guildford Zero premises in Guildford. This collaborative event will bring together a diverse range of organisations committed to Surrey Hills Enterprises’ vision of creating a more sustainable business community in the Surrey Hills. To book a place please click here

Maggie Howell resides in the heart of the Surrey Hills with her husband, five sons, and a beloved rescue dog. Together, they cherish the beauty of the Surrey Hills and are deeply committed to its preservation and prosperity.

Denbies Wine Estate has become the first vineyard and winery in the UK to achieve Net Zero status to the UK Carbon Code of Conduct standard (UKCCC). Denbies joins only a handful of wine producers globally to have achieved Net Zero in wine production.

This achievement reflects Denbies’ ongoing commitment to sustainable and responsible wine production.

“As one of the founder members of Sustainable Wines of Great Britain, we are absolutely delighted that our wines are now produced with Net Zero impact”, commented Chris White, CEO Denbies Wine Estate. “This is another example of the UK wine industry continuing to strive for excellence in all areas of wine production. We committed to becoming Net Zero as part of a five-year plan in 2022 and are delighted to have reached that goal in under two and a half years.”

The Estate, which is both an agricultural business and tourist destination, totals 380 acres, which includes 265 acres under vine and surrounding woodland and sits within the Surrey Hills National Landscape.  As such, Denbies and its staff have taken responsibility for the wider environment and the surrounding countryside very seriously. This includes 10 acres within the vineyard left in their natural state to encourage biodiversity.  Other actions include self-generating green energy that has been installed on the winery buildings and environmental best practice for all new capital investment.

Denbies’ latest figures, which include the bumper harvest and bottling from 2023, show that the Estate sequestered more carbon than it emitted, leaving a carbon balance of -96 tonnes of CO₂e.

Denbies appointed Triage, a leading land management consultancy, to independently certify its Net Zero position and to realise their ambition to create Net Zero wine.

Triage used the UKCCC framework to measure, report and verify all Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions from the wine production process, including bottling and transportation, and measure carbon sequestration from the Estate’s natural capital: its vineyards, habitats and soil. The UKCCC certifies the Net Zero position, ensuring that Denbies’ wine Scope 3 emissions into the retail supply chain are zero.

UKCCC methodology and protocols align with the highest global standards including SBTI (science-based standards) and ICVCM (Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market).

Pete Wain, CPO of Triage, added, “We are delighted to use our expertise to support Denbies in playing their part in the reversal of climate change and biodiversity collapse, all whilst maintaining their primary business objective, i.e. to produce award winning, Net Zero certified wine. We have delivered a fully auditable, robust, and holistic set of baselines, and developed an ongoing carbon emissions’ reduction and sequestration plan, and we look forward to providing continued assistance on Denbies’ nature-friendly farming journey.”

https://www.denbies.co.uk/

https://www.triage.ag/land

 

Denbies is a proud Trade Marked Member of Surrey Hills Enterprises

Azets Barometer

The Azets Barometer January 2024 is now live, providing the latest business insights from hundreds of business leaders.

Azets regularly survey hundreds of business leaders to help equip our clients with information relating to business trends, economic outlook, financial performance, and emerging threats and opportunities.

The Azets Barometer provides valuable up to date insight into the current and future business climate through the perspective of ambitious mid-market, owner-managed, and family-owned businesses across the markets we serve in the UK, Ireland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark.

Download our UK report detailing the key findings or explore the interactive dashboard where you can tailor the report by turnover, number of employees, country and sector.

You can find the download links here – Azets Barometer | Azets UK.

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With thanks to Azets -Founding Corporate Partners with Surrey Hills Enterprises

The Surrey Hills is an area of outstanding natural beauty known for its picturesque landscapes and charming villages, but what really sets it apart from other regions is the commitment of its local businesses to sustainability and environmentally-friendly practices.

Those businesses that fully embody this across the Surrey Hills have been awarded the Trade Mark Surrey Hills, a recognisable mark of quality, local provenance, and sustainability granted by Surrey Hills Enterprises. This special certification is a guarantee that when you visit or shop with a Trade Mark Surrey Hills business, you are supporting a company that is committed to preserving the unique character of the region and contributing to its sustainable development.

Read on to discover a selection of some of these local businesses, committed to sustainability and embracing eco-friendly practices!

Wellness

Nature’s Shield is run by two sisters aged 12 and 8 who are crazy about lip balm! Products created are 100% plastic free and made with natural ingredients. Lip balms come in recyclable tins and protect nature and humans from harmful waste and microplastics.

Family business, Nature Reclaimed, came about in response to the increase in litter during lockdown.Inspired to clean up, they soon discovered they could give old glass bottles a second life as scented candles using 100% natural wax, fragranced with pure essential oil blends, hand poured into upcycled glass bottles, each one cut by hand.

Revolutionising skincare: eco-Friendly, local, and purely natural, Puremess has a mission to offer skincare solutions that are as kind to your skin as they are to our planet. Their exquisite range of natural skincare products employ a blend of carefully selected oils, waxes, butters, and botanicals, sourced with sustainability in mind.

Julia Lampard Hair Salon is a retreat in the heart of Guildford where you can be assured of a warm welcome and relaxed environment. Passionate about caring for you, your hair and our beautiful planet, the team work in partnership with Davines, using natural and sustainable hair care products.

Food & Drink

The Chilli Potter handcrafts a wide array of chilli jams using homegrown chillis and ingredients sourced from a sustainable vegetable supplier. Each jams is homemade with lots of love and affection, each also with its own distinctive taste with plenty of fruitiness and fresh flavours.

Wildly Tasty is a range of nutritious plant-based meals for kids and families. They’re on a mission to show children how tasty wholesome plant-based eating can be, eating kindly to the planet whilst being packed with all natural nutritious ingredients. They are a planet-friendly business, working as sustainably as they can, from high quality suppliers and 100% vegan, all natural ingredients, through to recyclable packaging.

Traditional butchers with a modern twist, Surrey Hills Butchers sell meat from local, ethical farms in the Surrey Hills. They believe that every step of our food’s journey is important, from how the animal is fed to how it is slaughtered, not to mention how it is butchered and cooked.

Crumbs Brewing make beer using left over artisan bread from Chalk Hills Bakery in Reigate. Each beer is made with a different type of loaf, that way the style of the beer reflects the character of the delicious bread that makes it. They’re fighting food waste and making tasty, unique beers at the same time.

Chimney Fire Coffee is a B Corp™ Certified speciality coffee roastery, working hard to bring customers great tasting coffee that supports ethical and eco-friendly practices, all the way from farm to cup. They work directly with farmers, cooperatives, and exporters, making regular farm visits and committing to buying each new crop up front.

Just Champagne Ltd supplies champagne in smart gift boxes with your personal handwritten message delivered to the UK and USA. Using local suppliers wherever possible, the company also ensures their packaging is sustainable including recycled and recyclable cardboard boxes and sustainably sourced wooden gift boxes.

Experiences

Joy Farms – Craft, Woodcarving and Art is a friendly creative hub inspired by nature. They offer a variety of experiences to individuals, corporates and private groups looking to learn new skills, a new hobby perhaps or just to escape from it all and enjoy the peace and mindfulness of being creative surrounded by nature.

Harmony In Nature is run by experienced Forest Bathing guides Joanna Bristow-Watkins and Katie Robinson. Sessions combine an educational element, mindfulness and slow walking in woodland with sensory and meditative practices, for an immersive experience of the forest environment.

Lorraine and Paul Matthews at Hedges & Hurdles are passionate about sharing their knowledge and skills with others, encouraging people to discover a newfound love for nature and the outdoors! Offering experiences including hedgelaying, coppicing, and wattle hurdle training courses through to hands-on wood craft and willow art, craft and sculpture workshops.

Fully Charged Guildford are electric bike specialists with many years of expertise. Conveniently located in the centre of Guildford, they offer a carefully curated full range of urban, folding, hybrid, eMTB and eCargo electric bikes for everyone looking to go from A to Beyond!

Offering fresh seasonal, scented and sustainable flowers grown in the Surrey Hills, Plant Passion grows naturally without pesticides. Fabulous for weddings and events, individual and seasonal bouquets as a gift or for yourself, monthly individually picked stems delivered to your door or even to learn the art of flower arranging with Claire.

Art &Craft

Taxidermist, The Surrey Stuffer, works with British Native Wildlife which has died accidentally or as result of pest control/culling, donating a percentage of any profits made to local wildlife rehabilitation.

Alison at Ned+Sloan creates individual and wearable jewellery inspired by her garden, the seaside and a longstanding interest in fashion. Most pieces are one-offs and she particularly enjoys hand casting and using unusual stones. Her preference is for recycled silver and hand casting allows her to re-use all of her ‘scrap’ metal.

Surrey Woodcraft is a collaboration between twins David and Stewart McKenzie that brings together their different woodworking skills, producing a range of handcrafted wooden homeware, kitchenware, stationary, gift items and musical instruments using reclaimed timber where possible, or else locally sourced timber.

Business Services

Working with bold purpose-led businesses as their outsourced chief impact officer, Keartland & Co helps them to make sustainability their competitive advantage. Through bespoke consultancy, they help business leaders build a sustainable business by showing where to start and what steps to take, using a proven five-step approach to create and deliver their sustainability roadmap.

The Crest Business Awards celebrate and recognise success in sustainability. Free to enter and open to any businesses operating in Surrey, they are the only awards of their kind, aiming to inspire and motivate innovation to protect the environment and promote more sustainable working and lifestyle habits.

Raw Clay is a soulful identity and interior design agency, specialising in food and drink, property and lifestyle brands. Digging beneath the surface to craft an identity customers want to immerse themselves in, Raw Clay works exclusively with brands that give back positively to the world.

A carbon management consultancy, 5D Net Zero helps local businesses to reduce carbon emissions, become carbon neutral and achieve net zero by 2050. Supporting businesses in every step of their journey, they deliver tailored carbon footprint measurements to identify the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), carbon reduction plans and certified carbon credit offsets using the most widely used and internationally recognised standards.

LC Energy is one of the UK’s leading specialists in sustainable wood fuel supply, complete biomass systems and long-term timber purchase agreements. The business is at the forefront of the sector and working with both local independent companies and installations, as well as large national projects such as BAA and Center Parcs.

Hampton Digital Services Ltd specialise in WordPress design for service-based businesses looking to reduce their carbon emissions. They offer green hosting power by 100% renewable energy, along with website design and maintenance, SEO, social media management, competitor analysis and google analytics.

Expatriate Tax Advisory Service Limited are a family-owned tax practice with UK and US qualified tax consultants, providing tax advice and preparing tax returns for British and other individuals, living in the UK or abroad. They became a Certified B Corporation in 2022 and are currently planning their journey to Net Zero by 2030.

To discover more local business offering eco-friendly products, experiences and services, visit: https://surreyhills.org/love-local/find-local-businesses.

A Must-Attend Event for Surrey Businesses!

Surrey Hills Enterprises presents the annual Surrey Hills Sustainable Business Showcase on February 7th, 2024, from 6-9 pm at the Rik Medlik Building, Surrey University. This transformative event brings together local organisations offering insights, tools and techniques to adopt sustainable practices for business success as well as a greener future.

The Surrey Hills Sustainable Business Showcase aims to inspire and empower local businesses by focusing on discussions and insights that guide attendees to make practical, realistic sustainable choices. As the desire for sustainability grows among small businesses, the event dispels the notion that eco-friendly practices are daunting, showcasing evidence of increased bottom lines for organisations embracing eco-friendly values.

Attendees will experience a diverse range of Surrey-based organisations sharing firsthand experiences and success stories. This showcase goes beyond theoretical knowledge, emphasising the effective implementation of sustainable ideas with tools and techniques that will equip organisations to contribute to a sustainable future.

Leading-edge speakers will provide insights on navigating the sustainability transition, accessing funding for sustainability goals, marketing and promoting sustainability benefits, measuring sustainability impact, and effectively communicating and celebrating sustainability success in businesses.

Organised by Surrey Hills Enterprises, a community interest company committed to a robust local economy, tourism industry growth, and environmental sustainability, the event reflects their dedication to fostering a community prioritising sustainability. In addition, Surrey Hills Enterprises has awarded the Trade Mark Surrey Hills accreditation to over 200 organisations, symbolising local provenance, quality, and sustainability.

Wendy Varcoe, Executive Director of Surrey Hills Enterprises says “This event is a collective effort to empower businesses with the knowledge and tools to embrace sustainability and will dispel the misconception that sustainability is overwhelming. With insights from leading-edge speakers and experiences shared by businesses like Nutfield Dairy, Albury Organic Vineyard, Crumbs Brewery, and Coverwood Farm, this event is a unique opportunity to navigate the sustainability transition, access funding, market sustainability benefits, measure impact, and celebrate success.’

Registration is now open, so you can secure their spot for a nominal fee of £20 – attendance is free for Surrey Hills Enterprises Members.

Plus all attendees will receive a free ebook on 40 ways to make their organisation more sustainable!

To be part of this exciting and important event, register now at https://surreyhills.org/event/surrey-hills-sustainable-business-showcase

As the song says, Tis The Season To Be Jolly, but it is also the season to shop local if you’re looking to celebrate a more sustainable Christmas this year. The Surrey Hills is brimming with small businesses of the highest quality, creating their products and services locally and sustainably.

Look to these local businesses when shopping this festive season to gift loved ones with special, often one-off pieces created with true heart, whilst enjoying a greener Christmas, with products created close by, using sustainable materials and with a fully traceable provenance.

Whether it is delicious locally produced food or hand-crafted drinks, beautiful art or craft gifts or a voucher or gift experience, there is an inspiring small business ready and waiting to offer a solution to your Christmas shopping dilemmas this year.

Here is just a small selection of gift ideas from Surrey Hills Enterprises members this Christmas:

Foodie Gifts

The C’Hills Christmas Hamper (£75) from Chalk Hills Bakery contains a fantastic array of festive treats. Including Box of 4 Mince Pies, pack of 5 mini Florentines, Christmas Pudding, Cinnamon Stars, Gingerbread Father Christmas, Biscotti, Vanilla Fudge, pack of Pfeffernüsse spice biscuits, pack of Cheddar Cheese biscuits and a pack of Chalk Hills delicious Granola.

The Merry Christmas Box (£32.95) from Surrey gift delivery company Sensiful is full of delicious, local, seasonal treats with something for everyone to enjoy – Boxing Day Chutney from Jam Packed Preserves, Pink Marc de Champagne Truffles by Wicked & Wonderful, Organic Oat, Currant and Cacao Cookies by Nourish, and Christmas Tea by The Lawn Collection.

RoniB’s Kitchen is offering their Great Taste Gift Box 2023 (£26) this Christmas, featuring five of their Great Taste Winning products including Banana Ketchup, Black Bean Chilli Oil, Garlic Chilli Oil, Black Bean Chilli Paste and Kalamansi Marmalade.

The Jamsperience Gift Box (£23) contains jams specially selected by The Chilli Potter master jamologist to take you on a taste journey through the finest jams. This box set includes five individual Chilli Potter chilli jams ranging from mild to medium, including The Green One, The Red One, The Odd One, The Hab One and the Scotch Naga One with handy tasting notes.

Delightfully Decadent produces a wide range of seasonal specials of brownies, fudge and other tasty delights. Choose from a Fudge Snowflake (£25), Christmas Pudding Flavour Brownies (£3 per slice), Rocky Road Christmas Trees (£4.50) and more.

Gifts for the Drinks Lover

Silent Pool Gin is providing a touch of sparkle this Christmas, with a range of gifts available to purchase online or from their Distillery Shop, open seven days a week. Gifts include a Silent Pool Gin Magnum (£99), the Silent Pool Gin Luxury Tumblers Gift Set (£81) and the Silent Pool Gin Christmas Decoration (£15).

The Taste of Surrey gift box (£61.95) from Albury Vineyard is a thoughtful (and delicious!) gift for those who love English produce. Containing a bottle of Albury Estate sparkling wine, hand-made artisan chocolates locally made by the award-winning Kokoh chocolatiers, and a jar of Albury Honey, made by bees that live on the vineyard. Presented in either a natural or black gift box, protected with natural wood wool.

Choose Chimney Fire Coffee’s Christmas Blend 2023 (£15) for the coffee lover in your life. Packaged in a reusable cardboard tube, this unique blend of five of coffees from around the world features a bespoke watercolour of a wintery scene of Denbies Wine Estate, home of the roastery. Bursting with Christmassy flavours – think dried fruits, toasted nuts, and a hint of cinnamon.

The Respect Gin (£44.95) from Wessex Distillery is an exceptional gin that also supports a noble cause. Each purchase will be donated to ‘Across Rainbows’, an organization committed to celebrating and embracing diverse stories and experiences within the LQBTQ+ community. Alternatively, the Mini Gin Tube (£20) is the perfect introduction to Wessex Distillery; a beautiful gift set containing four miniature 5cl bottles of gin of your choice.

Swygge creates natural and fresh premium bottled cocktails that are lower in sugar. This Christmas, choose the Life Of Chai (£14, 200ml) – Portobello® Gin, Chai Tea, Swygge® Coriander & Almond Cordial, Cold Pressed Fresh Lemon, Swygge Grenadine, Angostura® Bitters – or the Gilded Grace (£14, 200ml) – Swygge® Peanut Butter Infused Portobello Road® Vodka, Swygge® Organic Cacao Liqueur, Milk Oolong Tea, Chocolate Bitters – for two particularly special options.

The Naan Laager 4 Bottle Gift Pack (£14) from Crumbs Brewing features four bottles of the world’s first beer made from wonky Naan bread in a smart gift pack.

Shopping for the Champagne lover in your life? Visit Just Champagne. They offer gifts of both a single bottle or bottles in gift sets with chocolates, flutes, stoppers and other items. You can choose single, double, triple and six bottle gift boxes or plain cases.

Raw Honey Distillery have a Gin with a hint of Kaffir Lime & Orange (£39.99) that is perfect for the festive season. Deliciously smooth, it boasts 10 botanicals, making for the ideal gift.

Art & Craft Gifts

Kate Lloyd scarves are created from photographic images taken by Kate herself. They are made in England and feature images of either horses or the natural world. Luxury silk scarves, guilt-free luxury, sustainability and individuality come together to create unique works of art. Choose from the Pearl Horse Silk Scarf (£150) or the The Golden Gondolas Silk Scarf (£125) as two beautiful options.

Lisa Davies Art offers fun and whimsical original art, prints and gift products, each piece telling its very own story with a little touch of humour. Illustrated prints include Mad Cat Lady (£30), The Dog Whisperer (£30) and limited edition East Street (£60).

Buying a piece from Adam Aaronson Glass Studio means purchasing a piece of glassblowing magic! Be it a bottle, vase, sculpture, bowl, paperweight or more, each item is beautiful in its own special way. Choose the Small Pink Scent Bottle (£60) or Blue and Red Sky Bowl (£45).

The Eco fun Christmas Lip Balm set (£9.99) from Nature’s Shield is the ideal gift for children or teachers. This plastic free handmade lip balm is a great stocking filler in Frosty Mint, Merry Mandarin and Santa’s Hot Chocolate and sold in a festive gift bag.

Surrey Woodcraft produce a whole range of handcrafted wooden homeware, kitchenware, stationary, gift items and musical instruments. Off-cuts from making the instruments are used in other products, making this a sustainable brand perfect for gifting – buy a beautifully carved English Oak bowl or Beech Clock.

Bee Friends is headed up by a bee farmer who manages 38 apiaries, mainly in the Surrey Hills, producing delicious local honey, associated products and beeswax gifts. With a whole range of festive gifts, there is something for everyone. Options include the Christmas Wellbeing Basket (£34), featuring honey and beeswax skin care products, candles, honey and beeswax wraps, and the Christmas Lavender Care Gift Box (£22), with Honey & Lavender hand cream, soap and bath bomb, plus two lavender coloured pure beeswax candles.

Sarah Cox Landscape Painter brings the landscapes of the Surrey Hills and those further afield to life through her colourful, textured artworks. This Christmas, she has a range of beautiful paintings available for under £150. ‘Our Happy Place’(£145) is a stunning piece that is sure to brighten any home, with ‘Strawberry Light’ (£145) another thoughtful option.

Gift Vouchers & Experiences

Book a Festive Distillery Tour (£35) with Silent Pool to celebrate the festive season with an immersive 90-minute dive into the world of the Silent Pool Distillery. Begin your tour with a delicious Rare Citrus hot toddy in a beautiful complimentary Rare Citrus Copa glass and a hot mince pie, plus receive a £5 voucher to use in the Distillery Shop.

Choose an English Wine & Cheese Tasting Voucher from Albury Vineyard (£29.95), valid for 12 months, to enjoy a talk and tasting of Albury Estate sparkling wines with a member of the Albury team, followed by a glass of your choice accompanied by a selection of English cheese, all whilst admiring the views from the tasting room over the vineyard.

Joy Farms offer Surrey Hills art, crafting and woodcarving experiences to allow you to get closer to nature while learning a craft. Whether it’s learning to carve a spoon (£120) or weave a basket (£140), flower arranging (£95) or a fire lighting bushcraft experience (£95), there is something for everyone.

The Village Spirit Collective Distillery Tour & Ginfluencer Experience (£50) is a dream gift for the gin lover. Meet the distiller and gain an insight into distillation whilst enjoying a welcome drink and exploring the gin range. Create your own gin blends by exploring and blending individually distilled botanicals.

Buy a Rustics, Friends of the Rural Life Living Museum Adult Membership (£35) and contribute to the future of the museum whilst enjoy a whole year’s worth of visits. The Rural Life Living Museum tells the story of the countryside, its unique collection of re-located historic buildings allow visitors to explore inside, complemented by one of the largest collections of agricultural implements and objects from everyday life.

Why Knot Art offers Time Out Art Workshops using the arts as a basis for discovery and change, to empower, help, or soothe you. Art can bring people together and open a whole new world for you in the form of pictures and personal expressionism. Book the Individual Mindful Art Workshop (£160) which may include meditation, forest bathing or music.

To discover more sustainable Surrey Hills businesses this festive season, visit: https://surreyhills.org/our-community/find-local-businesses.

5D Net Zero has achieved the ISO 14065:2020 Standard for Validating and Verifying Environmental Reporting

5D Net Zero is one of the first companies in the UK to achieve ISO 14065:2020 compliance for a sustainable future.

We’re thrilled to share some groundbreaking news that’s driving us towards an even greener future! At 5D Net Zero, we’re not just keeping pace with innovation; we’re setting the standard as one of the first companies to achieve compliance with the ISO 14065:2020 Standard.

What is ISO 14065:2020?

The ISO 14064:2020 Standard defines principles and requirements for organisations such as 5D Net Zero that validate and verify environmental information and greenhouse gas assertations.

What are the benefits to 5D Net Zero in being ISO 14065:2020 compliant?

What does ISO 14065:2020 mean for 5D Net Zero? It’s our seal of approval for excellence in environmental reporting. This ISO compliance ensures our reports of greenhouse gas emissions, removals, and emission reductions are more than just numbers; they’re independently verifiable and reliable insights into our customer’s net-zero journey. This standard enables businesses and organisations to confidently champion Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices.

How does ISO 14065:2020 support Sustainable Development Goals?

Out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, we are actively contributing towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9 and 13. ISO 14065:2020 is about innovation, industry, and infrastructure (SDG 9). By adhering to internationally agreed specifications that uphold quality, safety, and sustainability, we’re driving progress towards a world that’s not only innovative but also sustainable and resilient.

In this crucial battle against climate change (SDG 13), ISO 14065:2020 plays a starring role. We’re part of a global effort to monitor climate change, quantify greenhouse gas emissions, and promote best practices in environmental management.

Contact Us

We are helping organisations reduce carbon emissions and reach net zero. For more information about our carbon management services, contact our team of climate experts today.

The warmer weather and the longer days provide the perfect excuse to plan a weekend getaway or a longer holiday in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). With picturesque villages, characterful towns and some of the country’s finest countryside, there is always something new to discover and summer offers the ideal chance to explore.

With a wide array of accommodation options including stunning self-catering properties, expansive country house hotels, characterful B&Bs, independent countryside inns, historic town centre hotels and much more, there is something for everyone and all budgets. Surrey Hills Enterprises – the Community Interest Company that provides a support network for local businesses – represents the very best, many of which have been awarded the Surrey Hills Trade Mark, a mark of quality, provenance and sustainability.

Here are some inspiring accommodation ideas from Surrey Hills Enterprises’ members for a Surrey Hills’ stay this summer:

Part of The Alexander Hotel Collection, Barnett Hill is an elegant Queen Anne-style mansion, set atop a large hill in 26 acres of lovingly maintained gardens and woodland in a rural setting near Guildford. Now a luxury four star boutique hotel, Barnett Hill has a passion for delicious food, superb service and divine rooms.

Denbies Vineyard Hotel is England’s first vineyard hotel, located in the heart of Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking, with outstanding views across the 265-acre estate and rolling hills. The hotel offers 17 ensuite rooms, both spacious luxury suites and doubles with king-sized beds as standard, with a Vineyard Restaurant and bar area reflecting its prime location at the heart of Surrey Hills wine country.

A lovingly restored, luxurious Grade I listed, 11th century moated manor house, Great Tangley Manor is a large private residence which is available for exclusive use, for up to 12 guests. This historic venue boasts extensive Victorian gardens, an indoor swimming pool and a hard tennis court.

A charming 4-star spa hotel set within outstanding Surrey Hills’ countryside at Newlands Corner, Guildford Manor Hotel offers a first-class dining experience, acres of picturesque Surrey Hills views, function rooms, and luxury spa facilities. This luxury boutique hotel makes for the perfect getaway for couples and families and provides an inspiring setting for business trips.

The Hurtwood Inn is a family run independent Hotel, Bar and Restaurant in Peaslake, which is in the heart of the Surrey Hills. With 15 boutique en-suite rooms, along with a separate 2-bed Holiday Cottage, the hotel also features two Wellbeing rooms, a private rear garden and terrace, and a restaurant serving a mix of Italian and English food, along with seasonal specials.

Stay in five-star luxury at the geographical heart of the Surrey Hills with a self-catering stay at Surrey Hills Cottages. Holly and Nursery Cottages, former cattleman and gardeners houses, have been refurbished to provide beautifully well-appointed accommodation on the 225 acre Coverwood Farm. The cottages can sleep between 4 and 10 guests and features range from log burners and panoramic views to a wood fired hot tub overlooking the grazing cattle.

A classic English village inn and B&B, The Drummond at Albury offers friendly bar and elegant dining room, pretty pub garden by the stream and characterful bedrooms. The newly refurbished rooms are stylish, sleek and comfortable, with most located above the pub, with some across in a cottage.

The Merry Harriers is a 16th century Inn located in picturesque Hambledon. A local Inn in feel, whilst being a destination to rest, stay and play with a host of Surrey activities and experiences on offer, stay in characterful accommodations, with something for everyone. The Merry Harriers offers four traditional Inn Rooms, six contemporary Garden Rooms including one with views onto the llama paddock, and five Shepherds Huts.

The Old Cook’s House is located at Brownlow, between Hindhead and Grayshott, just two miles from Haslemere. Built in 1913, it is a fine example of an Edwardian home. The family and pet-friendly accommodation offers a large fully equipped kitchen, dining and lounge area, double room, twin room and a bathroom with a private entrance for self-catering guests.

Nestled at the heart of the picturesque village of Ripley, The Talbot stands as a storied and historic coaching inn, boasting many period features from its 500 year history. The inn was a frequent hitching post for Lord Nelson and is said to be the site on which his love affair with Lady Hamilton blossomed. Today. The Talbot offers 43 en-suite bedrooms, a restaurant overlooking the terrace and garden and a cosy bar.

A stalwart on Cranleigh High Street, The Richard Onslow is a classic English village inn with a friendly old bar & snug, elegant dining room, secluded courtyard and ten characterful bedrooms. The historic rooms all have the little comforts you’d find at home with each one simply but stylishly decorated in keeping with the pub’s age, making the most of original fireplaces, ancient beams and low doorways.

The White Horse Hotel is situated at the centre of Dorking’s historic High Street, is an ideal base from which to explore some of the South East England’s most exclusive attractions. The hotel offers 56 luxury en-suite bedrooms, a restaurant and bar known as The Dozen and is one of the most storied coaching inns dating back to 1278.

Wotton House near Dorking is a country estate hotel unlike any other. The sweeping driveway, flanked by flora and fauna, sets the tone for a rejuvenating stay in elegant surroundings. The impressive country estate boasts 17th-century Italianate gardens designed by famous botanist, John Evelyn, 125 stylish bedrooms, a heated pool and sauna and the 1877 Restaurant & Bar.

To discover more local businesses within the Surrey Hills, visit: www.surreyhills.org/our-community/find-local-businesses.

Discover traditional woodcrafts, be inspired by master craftspeople and enjoy an immersive day out in the woods at the Surrey Hills Wood Fair 2023.

Taking place at Fish Pond Copse in Cranleigh on Saturday 9^th and Sunday 10^th September, the 13^th annual Surrey Hills Wood Fair is set to be an exciting and educational day out for the whole family. Brimming with traditional rural charm, take a walk through the woods to take part in interactive activities, enjoy woodland-based demonstrations and browse handmade wood-crafted products.

Organised by Community Interest Company, Surrey Hills Enterprises, the outdoor event will cover a host of countryside pursuits with lots to see and do, including tree climbing, woodcrafting, learning fire making or knife skills, blacksmith demonstrations, axe throwing, archery, chain saw demos, forest bathing, woodland storytelling, digger driving, hedge making and saw mill demos. Children will especially love the shire horse wagon rides and log pulling, giant board games, bug hunting and circus skills, with lots to keep family members of all ages entertained.

Visit the Woodworkers’ Zone to gain a fascinating insight into everything related to the woods and trees, watch machinery in action and learn how the raw material is transformed into something beautiful.

This year’s event will include an amazing Treetop Experience (additional cost), allowing all ages and abilities to tree climb, try a zip wire, oscillate in a sky-pod, relax in the treetop canopy, peep into the wildlife at the top of trees and connect with the natural world – from a whole new perspective!

New for 2023 will be the special Cycling Village, taking inspiration from the Surrey Hills being a renowned destination for cycling, celebrating the region’s mountain biking community through stimulating demonstrations to watch and thrilling activities to try.

A wonderful early autumn day out in a beautiful setting, get amongst the trees in England’s most wooded county, spend time in the company of family and friends, smell the wood smoke and celebrate the beauty of the woodlands of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Learn about the benefits of woodlands for the planet, wildlife, mind and body, as well as the Surrey Hills heritage, whilst meeting skilled woodland-based artisans in the process and discovering the versatility of wood as a material.

There will be live music and entertainment throughout the weekend from local musicians and groups and impressive wooden products from local artisans available to browse, buy and take home. Those wishing to make the most of their day out, can also enjoy a delicious selection of Surrey Hills’ food and drink between the activities and demos from local producers. From sustainably made beer, local rum or gin, to freshly ground coffee, tempting ice cream and handmade chocolate or fudge, there will be a wide array of locally crafted options including African stews, Scandinavian dishes, freshly made pizza and more.

The Surrey Hills Wood Fair 2023 will take place from 10am to 5pm on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September at Fish Pond Copse, Bookhurst Road, Cranleigh. Advance tickets are priced at £10 or £12.50 on the gate, with free entry for children under 16. Advance ticket sales close at 12 noon on Friday 8 September. Free parking on site and friendly dogs on leads welcome.

For more information and to book, visit: www.surreyhills.org/event/surrey-hills-wood-fair-2023.

Cranleigh is set to welcome a host of talented local singers, musicians and entertainers this summer, as the Surrey Hills Artisan Market continues to go from strength to strength.

Taking place on the first Saturday of the month, this al fresco artisan market was established as a way of showcasing the huge array of handmade and locally-produced gifts, food, drink, art and crafts from independent businesses in the Surrey Hills, as well as the talented artisans behind them.

With the weather warming up, the village will also enjoy sizzling summertime entertainment alongside the artisan stalls on market days, with toe-tapping music and live performances from Surrey singer-songwriters, local bands and more providing a relaxed yet lively atmosphere for the family-friendly artisan market.

Offering something for everyone, this vibrant, free-to-attend market is organised by Surrey Hills Enterprises, the Community Interest Company that works with local businesses to support the rural economy and promote, protect and enhance the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), in partnership with Cranleigh Chamber of Commerce.

The special artisan market aligns perfectly with the beautiful village’s independent spirit and love for local, aiming to encourage more people to visit to experience the charm and variety of businesses throughout what is one of Surrey’s largest villages.

The Surrey Hills are home to an inspiring community of artisans that keep traditional as well as modern artisan skills alive. They are passionate about their craft and sharing their knowledge, skills and products with a wider audience. With stalls situated along the High Street, in Stockland Square and Fountain Square, the artisans in attendance vary from month to month, meaning there is always something new to discover, whether it be single origin chocolates and tempting brownies, locally-made drinks, freshly-baked bread, hand-poured candles, natural skincare, beautiful jewellery, original artworks, artisan gifts, home and garden wares, country-inspired clothing, accessories and more.

The Cranleigh Surrey Hills Artisan Market provides the perfect excuse to discover, browse, try and buy directly from the region’s best artisanal producers. Welcoming visitors from 10am to 3pm, the next market will take place on Saturday 1^st July, with the following market on Saturday 5^th August and the next on Saturday 7^th October.

The July market will feature fantastic classic pop and rock covers from Canadian guitarist and now Surrey resident, John Sharkey, performing hits in Fountain Square. Stockland Square will play host to country, blues and rock from duo, Nick Of Time. Be sure to visit to soak up the sun and the fun-filled ambiance at this brilliant Surrey Hills event!

For more information about the Cranleigh Surrey Hills Artisan Market, visit: www.surreyhills.org/cranleighs-surrey-hills-artisan-market.