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The hospitality industry is highly dynamic, making it challenging to align everyone with sustainability objectives.
One operator trying to overcome this challenge is Permanently Unique.
Amber has been collaborating with Permanently Unique over the last 6 months to shift their culture across their expanding restaurant portfolio, demonstrating the power of engaging the entire team on their Net Zero journey.
Recently, they spoke with their passionate project lead, Paul Speakman, about how starting with people has made a significant difference in their approach.
Culture is key
For Permanently Unique, sustainability isn’t a side dish – it’s core to their future and values.
“Net Zero is really important to us because we’re expanding,” explains Paul.
“We’re going to Dubai, launching more in London, so it’s crucial we get this embedded from the start. We want it to be a core part of our culture, not an afterthought.”
In an industry where pressures can be high and time is limited, establishing this culture early is essential.
Establishing meaningful action
The Permanently Unique team was fully committed from the start, with a face-to-face session at one of their restaurants.
Together, we worked through their mission statement and values, creating a space where everyone had a voice.
Paul explains: “That first session was incredible. Everyone bought into it. We went through what we wanted to achieve, and because it was collaborative, no one felt overwhelmed. We were picking out what mattered to us, and it stuck.”
This wasn’t just about ticking boxes, it was setting a foundation, and from here our team built thematic packs around energy, food, and eventually things like sustainable travel. This made sure the positive momentum could continue across other aspects of business operations.
A team-led transformation
Six months on, the change is real and visible, and this isn’t just top-down leadership, it’s ownership at every level.
“The team can’t wait to show me what they’ve been doing. They’re proud of it, talking me through the changes. They’re labelling waste bins; they’re cutting food waste. The whole team is involved.” says Paul.
“We’ve seen the passion coming through, from management all the way to front-of-house,” says Paul. “That’s when you know it’s working.”
As the team is fully onboard and don’t feel like sustainability is a forced agenda, they have run with it – making it a huge success.
Celebrating progress and building momentum
It’s hard to keep the buzz going in such a buzzy industry, but that hasn’t held Permanently Unique back from celebrating key milestones.
“We check in monthly, and those chats really matter,” says Paul. “People stay engaged; the reward is seeing it in action. The teams are saving money, cutting waste, and customers are noticing too. They’re asking questions, and the staff are proud to answer.”
“That’s what we celebrate,” Paul adds. “When it becomes part of the conversation on the floor, that’s the win.”
A thrilled partnership
This project stands out as an exceptional example of how collaborative, people-focused work can drive long-term sustainability in a sector powered by people.
The team involved has brought energy, openness to ideas, and a genuine commitment to making it a success.
Permanently Unique demonstrates that with the right approach, sustainability doesn’t hinder progress. It unites your team, enhances efficiency, and creates a welcoming atmosphere for guests.
Partnering with Amber
Get in touch if you’d like to find out more about Amber’s employee engagement programme and what they can offer your hospitality business.
