The B Corp Effect

Sustainability That Goes Beyond Buzzwords

Sustainability is one of those words that gets thrown around a lot, but at Exclusive, we don’t just talk the talk - we walk the walk (sometimes in wellies, through our kitchen gardens). We’ve set some ambitious targets for 2025 and beyond, and here’s where we’re making the biggest strides:

Reducing Our Water Footprint

Water is one of the most precious resources we have, and we’re making sure we don’t waste a single drop. Our rainwater harvesting systems at The Reeds at South Lodge help cut down our reliance on mains water, and we’ve been investing in greywater technology across our hotels. Because sustainability isn’t just about the big changes - it’s also the small, smart shifts that add up.

Becoming Carbon Positive (Scope 1 & 2) by 2026

No greenwashing here - we’re committed to lowering our carbon footprint in real, measurable ways. Our investments in solar panels, energy-efficient heating, and electric vehicle charging points are helping us get closer to carbon positivity.

At South Lodge, our on-site vineyard is another example of sustainability in action - grown using natural methods, with the goal of producing our own wine in the future (because being eco-friendly should taste good, too).

 Boosting Biodiversity

We’re not just looking after our guests - we’re looking after the bees, the birds, and the butterflies too. Across our 691-acre estate, we’re planting trees, restoring hedgerows and ancient woodland, and introducing wildlife-friendly initiatives like bug hotels and wildflower meadows, to support habitats and nature corridors.

From Plate to Planet: Our Food Philosophy

We love food. Good food. Sustainably sourced, locally grown, and served with a side of purpose. Here’s how we’re making sure every bite at Exclusive Collection is as kind to the planet as it is delicious - because food waste? Not on our watch.

Across our restaurants, we’re using technology, partnerships, and good old-fashioned creativity to ensure every bite counts:

Fighting Food Waste with OLIO

Last year alone, we saved 6,257kg of edible food from going to waste, redistributing it to 486 households and providing 14,510 meals through our partnership with OLIO. That’s a lot of happy tummies and a lot less unnecessary waste. By working with OLIO, we’re not only reducing food waste but also helping those in need, providing meals and support to vulnerable communities.

Serving Up Sustainable Choices with Klimato

Food sustainability isn’t just about waste - it’s also about making informed choices. That’s why we use Klimato across our properties, helping guests and event planners see the carbon footprint of their menu choices. By detailing the footprint and impact of each dish, organisers can make more informed menu decisions for their events, while also contributing to their own organisation’s ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) policy. From business lunches to big celebrations, we’re making it easier to choose planet-friendly dishes without sacrificing on flavour.

Plot-To-Plate Dining

Our kitchen gardens provide fresh, seasonal ingredients that travel metres, not miles. From heirloom tomatoes to just-picked herbs, our chefs are making the most of what’s growing right on our doorstep. In the past year alone, at Lainston House, we harvested and used 850 kilograms of produce from our kitchen gardens, significantly reducing our carbon footprint and supporting local biodiversity.

Waste Not, Want Not

We’re constantly looking for ways to reduce waste across our kitchens. At The Manor House, we have a wormery turning food scraps into nutrient-rich compost, while at South Lodge and Lainston House, our rocket composter processes food waste into soil-ready goodness. Even our eggshells get a second life at Fanhams Hall, where they’re crushed up and used to enrich the soil for our roses.

And because sustainability starts with our suppliers, we’ve teamed up with some of the best B Corp-certified brands, including:

Ridgeview Wine Estate – Stunning English sparkling wine produced in Sussex with sustainable practices – there’s good reason it’s our “house pour”.

Toast Beer - Produces sustainable beer that tastes amazing and does amazing things. That’s why they brew with surplus bread, transforming leftover loaves into liquid gold.

Sapling Spirits – Carbon-neutral vodka, distilled with a focus on reducing carbon impact at every stage of production.

Pelegrims Skincare – Beauty meets sustainability, with vinotherapy skincare made from the natural byproducts of winemaking (including our own vines at South Lodge).

People & Community: Hospitality with Heart

At the core of everything is our people - the teams who bring our hotels to life and the communities we’re proud to be part of. We’re committed to ensuring that our efforts are driven by a sense of purpose, respect, and care for both our team members and the wider community.

Supporting Future Talent
We believe in nurturing the next generation of hospitality professionals. That’s why for the past 11 years we’ve run a Chefs’ Academy at Lainston House, giving young chefs hands-on experience in fine dining and sustainable cooking. It’s our way of passing on skills and empowering the future of the hospitality industry.

Giving Back
Over the last year, we’ve donated over £108,000 to charities, including Hospitality Action and Protect Earth, helping to support those in need in our industry and fund tree-planting initiatives across the UK. Beyond financial donations, we actively seek out opportunities for our teams to volunteer and fundraise with each of our hotel’s local charities, including a fully paid volunteer day each year, ensuring we make a real difference in the communities we serve.

Employee Recognition & Wellbeing
We know that our success is built on the hard work and dedication of our people. That’s why we’ve introduced Qudos - a peer-to-peer recognition platform that allows our teams to celebrate each other’s achievements. We also offer prize vouchers to reward exceptional contributions, encouraging a culture of appreciation and motivation.

Additionally, we have an internal platform where our teams can share both small and big wins, communicate, and exchange new ideas - creating an open and collaborative environment that fosters innovation.

Diversity & Inclusion
Hospitality should be for everyone. That’s why we’ve put a Respect Charter in place, ensuring that every member of our team feels valued, heard, and empowered. We strive to create a workplace where diversity is celebrated, and people from all backgrounds can thrive.

B Corp in Action: The Reeds at South Lodge

Every project we undertake is a passion, carefully thought out with both guest experience and environmental impact in mind. One of the most exciting sustainability projects we’ve worked on recently is The Reeds at South Lodge – a collection of eco-lodges built with sustainability at their heart. Here’s what makes them special:

Minimal impact on nature – Built with minimal disturbance to tree roots, keeping the surrounding woodland intact.

Bamboo cladding – A sustainable, fast-growing, CO2-neutral material that blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings.

Upcycled interiors – Everything from the staircases to the countertops has been crafted using reclaimed materials.

-        Rainwater harvesting & water-source heat pumps – Ensuring every drop of water is carefully considered.

Staying at The Reeds isn’t just an escape – it’s a chance to immerse yourself in a place designed for both relaxation and regeneration. Want to know more? Check out our story behind The Reeds.