Henley Businesses Step Up on Climate Resilience

More than thirty local business leaders gathered at Henley Business School last week to confront the growing financial and operational risks of climate change — and to start acting on them.

Greener Henley brought together forward-thinking businesses for “Weathering the Storm: Rethinking Business for Climate Resilience” — a solutions-driven workshop hosted by the Greener Henley Business Group and chaired by sustainability leader Amy Clarke. Leaders from hospitality, care, property, food, and independent services shared the real-world impacts of increasingly unpredictable weather on their operations.

Mark Dunlop, Landlord of The Angel on the Bridge, spoke about growing flood pressures on riverside businesses, while Jonathan Hobbs of Hobbs of Henley described how changing river conditions are affecting operations and costs. Ellie Faramarzian, General Manager at Henley Manor Luxury Care Home, outlined the challenges extreme heat poses to vulnerable residents.

Peter Hopkins, partner at Mercers Solicitors, a sponsor of the event, said: “This was another superbly organised event by Greener Henley, with a panel of local business owners sharing the effect of climate impacts, including flooding, on their businesses – a real wake up call for everyone in the town as we collaborate together on solutions for adaptation.”

Emma Vanstone-Booth, Director of Philip Booth Esq estate agents, noted that buyers are increasingly educating themselves about environmental risk. “More concerns are certainly being raised about river and surface water flood risk, particularly regarding the challenges of owning riverside properties,” she said, pointing to growing demand for energy-efficient homes and greater preparation for flash flooding, drought and wildfires.

Positive Changes — From The Ground Up

The event made clear that businesses which fail to adapt risk being left behind, while those taking visible action are increasingly attractive to customers, employees, and investors.

Amy Clarke said: “Change often happens from the ground up. Our SME sector has the opportunity to embrace that – in terms of adaptation, decarbonisation, and the chance to lead by example and create the ripples of change we so desperately need.

“The cost of adaptation only increases the longer businesses wait. We know customers want resilient, responsible, purposeful businesses – and so do the employees and generations coming through. Focusing on resilience now is a powerful investment in the future as well as a hedge against risk.”

Businesses left with clear commitments to act — from solar panels and battery storage to property risk reviews, heatwave and winter disruption plans, cloud-based digital continuity, staff education, and sourcing ingredients from within 30 miles of Henley.

Free Business Toolkit

Judy Walker, Business Lead at Greener Henley, said: “What was so encouraging was not just the increasing awareness in the room, but also the commitment to take action.” The Greener Henley Business Group has produced a free Toolkit of resources relevant to Oxfordshire businesses, available here.

Greener Henley hopes the leadership shown by this initial group of businesses will help drive wider change across the town and further afield as climate and geopolitical pressures continue to grow. Local businesses wishing to get involved can contact the Greener Henley Business Group at greenerhenleybusiness@proton.me.