Albion strike gold at Football Business Awards

Brighton & Hove Albion have been honoured for their sustainability work with a gold award at the prestigious Football Business Awards in London.

BHAFC

2024-05-28T16:30:00Z

Albion's sustainability manager Tom Harris, second from left, with head of facilities & maintenance Dave Baker, chief operating officer Paul Mullen and awards presenter Colin Murray, far right.

The award recognises the club’s work to reduce its impact on the environment and create a better future for people and the planet.

Albion have implemented a wide array of measures over the past ten years to manage the environmental impacts of its operations and facilities.

These have included investing in modern and efficient buildings at the stadium and training ground as well as subsidising public transport options to the stadium on matchdays. Albion fans have also played their part with many taking up the option to receive their membership pack digitally. For each one, five trees are planted in Ecuador which has resulted in more than 19,000 trees being planted in a deforested region of the Andes.

More widely, environmental sustainability has become an increasing concern in sport particularly as extreme weather events contribute to an increased number of match postponements and impacts on the health of athletes.

Albion’s sustainability manager Tom Harris said, “The award shows how much good work has been done already but there is a recognition that there is still much to do, and the club are developing its sustainability strategy to take forward action with the support of our sustainability working group.

“Everyone at the club is delighted to have won the gold award especially as there are so many clubs doing fantastic work in this area.

“The club is committed to environmental sustainability through its My Albion My Planet strategy and this commitment extends all the way to the top. Our team values are closely aligned with sustainability and are the basis for the strategy we are developing”.

The club also won a bronze award for innovation for the Tunnel Club hospitality experience, which opened at the start of the season.

1901 Club executive Ben Stephenson said, “It’s been an amazing first season for The Tunnel Club and this is a fantastic accolade to receive as a reward for our hard work.

“We are sold out for the next three seasons, and we hope this is just the start. We are constantly looking at ways to add value to the experience for our members and are excited to go from strength to strength.”

The club was also nominated in several other categories including equality, diversity and inclusion and best digital/social media team. The Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation were also nominated for best corporate social responsibility scheme.