Searcys reports progress against its ESG strategy, Second Nature

UK’s leading events caterer, Searcys, has reported progress against a number of environmental, inclusion and responsible sourcing commitments across its portfolio of 30 venues. The results, shared at the company’s Second Nature Summit in July, include a reduction in carbon intensity and food waste intensity, increased investment in workforce development, and expanded responsible sourcing initiatives.
Through its Second Nature programme, Searcys focuses on four areas:
Step Up, taking meaningful action to reduce its impact on climate and nature. Inclusion by Design, creating inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive; Nurturing and Growing Talent, helping people develop and succeed; Progressive Partnerships, choosing responsible partners and working collaboratively to drive innovation.
“Step Up” – Environmental Action with Verified Results
For hospitality businesses, the majority of emissions sit within the supply chain. At Searcys, Scope 3 emissions account for more than 99% of its carbon footprint, making supplier engagement a critical part of its environmental strategy.
Searcys achieved a 3.3% reduction in carbon intensity (tCO2e/£m) across its value chain and a 0.6% reduction in food waste intensity in 2025 compared with 2024, while working towards 8 specific environmental targets.
Across 2025 the company has seen developments including the launch of its Nourish range of conference dishes designed to have low-moderate carbon impact while positively fuelling mind and body. The Company has also focused on reducing use of higher carbon emitting ingredients such as beef and lamb, encouraging venue teams to replace these with alternatives such as Wild venison and duck. Their annual Second Nature Summit, this year hosted in July, also provided an opportunity for suppliers to showcase their sustainability and social value credentials to Searcys teams. Partner suppliers at this year’s event included Nella Cutlery Services, Vegetarian Express, Sociability, Only a Pavement Away, Notes Coffee Roasters, Nemi Tea and Smith and Brock Ltd amongst many others.
“The Second Nature Summit was a brilliant showcase of the fantastic ESG work Searcys is doing. The passion and commitment from the whole organisation shone through with real life examples shared, and it was clear everyone was engaged in the strategy objectives – with chefs, apprentices, and suppliers all embedding these values in their work. It’s very reassuring to see that Searcys are not just talking the talk, but walking the walk and finding new innovative ways to overcome some of the sectors sustainability challenges.” Amber Rochette, Sustainability Manager, B&NES Council.
As part of its commitment to reducing food waste, Searcys has partnered with OLIO, a food-sharing and waste-reduction platform that connects businesses with local communities to redistribute surplus food that would otherwise go to waste. Following a smaller scale roll out in 2025 (which in part saw Searcys has donate 162kg of edible food, equivalent to 398 meals, while avoiding an estimated 709kg of CO₂ emissions) the Company is expanding the use of Olio across the wider business in 2026.
As part of the WSH Group, Searcys is also working as part of the UN Global Compact Nature Ambition Accelerator Programme – a programme designed to support organisations in developing rigorous, science-aligned plans for nature and biodiversity. Through the Accelerator, the Company are developing an in-depth nature and biodiversity plan with clear milestones for 2030 and 2040.
“Inclusion by Design” – Advancing Workplace Inclusion
Searcys continues to retain Disability Confident Employer certification and by the end of 2025 had reached a 76% training rate for staff in hidden disabilities awareness through the Sunflower scheme.
In addition, Searcys has a charity partnership with Only A Pavement Away, through which it employed 5 team members culminating in recognition as an Only A Pavement Away 2025 Top Employer. This builds on the Company’s longstanding relationship with Hotel School, through which Searcys employed 13 team members demonstrating their ongoing commitment to creating meaningful, accessible opportunities across the business.
In 2025, Salem Retibi Venue Director from 30 Euston Square became involved in the FORWARD Group (Fostering Opportunity, Respect and Working Against Racial Discrimination), which is part of the WSH Race & Ethnicity Network and works to promote diversity, inclusion and awareness. Searcys’ hosted their first FORWARD event in 2026 – the Global Food Festival, celebrating culture, diversity and inclusion through food and shared experiences.
“The event celebrated the people and cultures that make our industry so vibrant and highlighted the role hospitality can play in bringing communities together through shared experiences.”
“At 30 Euston Square, we believe great hospitality is about creating environments where people feel welcomed and valued. Seeing guests engage with suppliers, learn from one another and then come together over food, music and shared experiences perfectly captured what hospitality can achieve. It was a fantastic showcase of the versatility of our venue, but even more importantly, it was about community and inclusivity”. Said Salem Retibi Venue Director from 30 Euston Square.”
Ana Mendes, General Manager at Church House, Westminster, leads Bespire, WSH’s employee EDI group, which she has transformed into a dynamic platform for inclusion initiatives since taking leadership in early 2025. Recent activities include organising visits to Queer Britain, where team members learned about queer history and workplace representation, delivering annual Pride celebrations at 116 Pall Mall and organising fundraising activities for LGBT Hero.
Ana Mendes said: “When we organised the visit to Queer Britain, it was about providing an opportunity for colleagues to learn something new together. Those attending engaged with history and workplace representation topics they might not have encountered otherwise. It’s one of several ways we try to create learning opportunities within Bespire.”

The company provides accessibility information for its bars and brasseries on the Sociability app and website. Searcys has also developed an Inclusion Review to support venues in assessing their accessibility and inclusion practices.
With 57.1% of women in leadership roles (C, C-1, C-2), and a detailed company review via third party organisation Inclusion In, Searcys has continued to demonstrate its focus on reducing gender marginalisation. Through this review, team members described Searcys as respectful, inclusive and supportive of women colleagues.
As an ILM accredited training provider, Searcys focuses on leadership skills and equality, diversity and inclusion development. In addition, across 2025, 75 people completed neurodiversity training across the business, helping teams build greater understanding and create more inclusive working environments. Six dedicated menopause champions operate across all sites helping to improve communication, support and awareness of menopause.
“Nurturing and Growing Talent” – Helping People Grow
Training ranges from mandatory e-learning for all staff to ISEP (Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals)-certified environmental management qualifications, with a further 18 team members attending the 2-day course in 2025.
Searcys continues to invest in colleague wellbeing, with a strong focus on supporting colleagues, promoting positive mental health and creating an inclusive and supportive workplace. In 2025, Searcys hosted quarterly Mental Health Awareness sessions to encourage open conversations and promote wellbeing across the business. A network of 12 trained Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs) was also maintained across its venues, providing support and signposting for colleagues.
Kathryn Richmond, Development Director and ESG Lead at Searcys, said: “Second Nature works across all areas of our business, with strong engagement from teams across the business, including our 32 sustainability champions. Everyone is helping to drive change and make an impact. Second Nature helps us embed responsible sourcing, sustainability and inclusion across every part of the business. From our supplier partnerships to our sustainability champions, we’re focused on turning commitments into measurable action.”
“Progressive Partnerships” – Working Closely to Drive Innovation
Searcys continues to strengthen responsible sourcing practices, reporting that across 2025 76% of seafood met agreed sustainable sourcing standards (including MSC and MCS 1-3), 94% higher welfare eggs (including free range, RSPCA assured), 69% higher welfare meat (including Red Tractor and Wild) and 75% higher welfare milk (including RSPCA Assured, Organic and Red Tractor). The business has also achieved 100% RSPO-certified palm oil sourcing.
2026 and Beyond
Looking ahead, Searcys has ambitious plans that will see continued progress against short- and longer-term targets. These include introducing Wellbeing Champions and further support for menopause awareness and neurodiversity, increasing compliance against responsible sourcing targets and growing the use of regenerative agriculture products. The company are also committed to continuing the development of lower-carbon menus and expanding the Nourish range which will help accelerate progress towards WSH Group’s Net Zero 2040 commitment.