Alpkit - sustainable growth, business for good and responsible finance

Can business be a force for good? Definitely, according David Hanney, CEO of Alpkit, a business and certified B Corp which designs and sources outdoor clothing, camping equipment, bikes and other gear.

Alpkit sells direct-to-consumers through its website and its stores in the UK. It now has more than 100 employees – 6 years ago there were just 12.

It’s a great business in many ways, as David explains, with a set of six sustainability principles informing how it operates (and central to how it does business).

Alpkit must be commercially viable to exist. Alongside this, it knows it has a responsibility to its staff, suppliers, customers, the environment and the communities it operates in to be a good citizen.

It's growth has been supported by a responsible finance provider and David explains why and how it secured finance, what the process was, and how it now banks with the mainstream bank which actually referred it to a community development finance institution (CDFI).

He also talks through the accreditation process for becoming a B Corp and Alpkit's scores, how Alpkit ran a crowdfunding campaign which was fully subscribed in just minutes, and how in the next 5 years the most innovative and commercially successful products will be sustainable products.

We recorded this interview with David in Spring 2021. Since then Alpkit’s sustainable growth has continued, with new stores in Edinburgh, Betws y Coed, and Ilkley on top of its shops in Ambleside, Hathersage, Keswick, the Metrocentre. It is about to open in Bristol.

What next?

• Alpkit's website
• Its Six Sustainability Principles and 2021 Sustainability Report
• Our member, First Enterprise - Enterprise Loans, has worked with thousands of start-ups and growing businesses (like Alpkit) to help them follow their dreams and achieve their goals.