Andrew Morrison

"It's about changing the way we think"

Two years ago Andrew was asked to join the Social Responsibility Steering Group at the home improvements company B&Q. It was a responsibility that matched his personal desire to make changes for the better and a challenge that he is thriving on. Andrew sees his role as not only making sure B&Q has sustainable practices, but taking advantage of the opportunity to change customers’ habits as well.

"I define sustainable development using the One Planet Living idea - we need to live within the planet’s means. It’s not about being extremist - making a difference in small things can make a big difference on a global scale."

Andrew sees a massive opportunity to transform London by reducing the city’s impact on the environment and promoting alternatives such as efficient resources and energy saving products. “We only have a limited amount of resources and if we carry on as we are and change nothing, then the impacts will be beyond what the planet can currently support.”

To Andrew, his role at B&Q is practical – it's about getting more sustainable products into the company’s stores, raising the profile of sustainable products and practices and establishing partnerships to generate more sustainable results in areas such as emission reductions. He believes business has an important role in spreading sustainability and recognises that strong business leadership can bring sustainable development to the forefront.

"The personal challenges are about getting people to think about the way they think and make themselves more aware of what is happening around them. How sustainable do Londoners really believe their city is and how sustainable do they believe they are as individuals? Permanent, individual contributions can make a massive difference. At B&Q, we have seen this through the use of energy efficient light bulbs, and the use of Forest Stewardship Council approved timber. And I want to play my part, to make a difference and do what I can to help."

London, Andrew thinks, has the opportunity to lead other cities in the UK and globally in getting people thinking differently, and the London Leaders programme provides a great way to get influential leaders to lead by example and to give a face to sustainability. “It’s important to get buy-in from a wide spectrum to support implementation of this strategy. And success must be celebrated.”

My commitment
"As a London Leader, my commitment is to make it easy and affordable for local people to reduce their impact on the planet. This will be done through a series of events in London B&Q stores promoting sustainable living, and developing partnerships with suppliers to source and develop more sustainable products."