A Force For Good

Here at AGC, we are on a mission to do better for people and the planet. We are committed to proving to you that we can make a positive impact on the world by acting as a responsible company and be willing to re-assess all internal processes, structures and legalities.

To demonstrate our commitment, we are actively working towards our B Corp certification, an Impact Assessment on a global scale, recognising businesses that balance profit and purpose. We have created a focused team internally to ensure that the improvements we wish to make as a business are fully embedded in our culture. Our dedicated ‘B-Keeper’ has full ownership of maintaining standards and ensuring that advancements are forever evolving.

We are excited to share our next steps in becoming fully B Corp certified.

In parallel with our desire to continuously create new and innovative designs, our pledge towards sustainability is an equally evolving journey.

We are constantly looking for ways to develop our awareness and knowledge of sustainability within the interior design industry. Understanding the increasingly important role we play in protecting the planet, has encouraged us to focus our efforts on introducing an increasing amount of sustainable measures.

We are investing in the future, and our dedicated ‘Eco-Warrior’ team will direct our efforts on measures that deliver the biggest impacts, aiming to continuously review and improve AGC’s environmental performance with an emphasis on minimising any destructive environmental impact.

Sustainability measures have already seen us achieve our ISO14001 Environmental certification, and we are committed to obtaining our B Corp certification. In addition, we are proud to partner with Walpole and its members to work towards a shared ambition of creating a more sustainable industry for the top British Luxury Brands.

At AGC, we want to strive to be a company that is more representative of the world we design for. We want to be part of an industry that is filled with, and supports talent from all backgrounds, abilities, ages and identities.

We recognise our privilege, and we pledge to proactively reform both our business and the wider interiors industry to be inclusive, representative of the society it aspires to serve and creatively stronger by bolstering the underrepresented talent.

EDUCATION
By committing to visiting schools and colleges to encourage awareness and present opportunities within our industry, offering mentoring programs within the courses and donating to disadvantaged creative schools for supplies such as Make Bank.

RECRUITMENT
Ensuring that the studio is reflective of society and draws on the talents of a diverse workforce by seeking advice on their employment strategy. In addition to this, offer apprenticeships to people from a disadvantaged background or someone who may have felt for any reason that the industry would not welcome them.

SUPPLIERS
By diversifying AGC's supplier database by; researching, celebrating and using the new and unheard voices of diverse suppliers and artisans from all backgrounds in society.

ADVOCACY
The team are honoured to join industry peers in a bid to deliver an equal opportunity pathway into the interior design industry. AGC will continue to share their journey in the hope of diminishing the statistics and, hand in hand, strive for a more positive future.

To forever increase our offering of responsible products we must seek full traceability from our suppliers. The role of our Environmental Icons is to grade our supply chain’s product portfolio to give you clarity surrounding terminology and confidence in what you are buying.

In order to make the biggest impact in the shortest time, initially we will use the Environmental Icons to badge products within our BoxNine7 Curated Furniture Packages service and Bazaar’s e-commerce range as here we are not influenced by a customer desire where there may not yet be a sustainable priority vs budget. However, our badging process will assist in educating us all and over time we are looking to achieve 100% traceability across the group.

MADE TO ORDER
Made in accordance with our customer's specifications to minimise wastage in production.

HANDCRAFTED
Products and/or elements have been handcrafted by artisans to preserve craft traditions and support independent artisan businesses.

ETHICAL
Supply chain conforms with all relevant International Labour Organisation (ILO) policies surrounding child labour, workers rights, freedom of association, minimum wages and health & safety.

ORGANIC
Product is made up of >70% naturally occurring raw materials, without the use of chemical or other artificial elements.

FSC TIMBER
Wood has been harvested in compliance with rules and regulations to protect our natural resources.

THOUGHTFUL FURNITURE
Item is reclaimed, recycled or upcycled usually an Antique or Vintage item given a new life.

FABULOUS FILLINGS & TOPPINGS
Foam, Fibre, Wool, Fur and Feather fillings are sourced in the UK for maximum quality assurance and are cruelty-free.

DIVERSE & INCLUSIVE SUPPLIER
Supplier celebrates the values of equality, diversity, and inclusion by being an actively diverse supplier and promoting inclusivity and opportunity.

NON-TOXIC
Product is guaranteed to be free of harmful chemicals.

MADE IN THE UK
Product is manufactured or assembled within the UK

NO PLASTIC FANTASTIC
100% of product packaging is reusable or ‘widely recyclable’.

CARBON CONSCIOUS
Supplier is Carbon Neutral or has plans in place to get to achieve this. They are able to inform us of the carbon footprint of the product they supply.

At AGC, we believe in the power of kindness, and we realise what a privilege it is to be able to use the powers of our business to create a positive impact on society.

With this in mind, as an organisation we have adopted the following charitable initiatives internally:

DONATIONS
We commit to donating a minimum of 2% of our profits each financial year. Profits are split between three charities, one of which is the Red Cross and the other two will be nominated and voted for annually by our team.

BRITISH RED CROSS
Furniture, which has reached the end of its lifecycle with AGC is sent from our warehouse to the British Red Cross.

CHARITY CHALLENGE SUPPORT
If an AGC crew member is participating in a charitable challenge or initiative, AGC will match the donations that AGC employees have collectively donated to this cause. In addition, we will do whatever we can to support a charity challenge that an employee would like to participate in, be it personal or industry-led.

CHARITABLE HOURS
Every AGC crew member receives 24 charitable hours each year to dedicate to raising money and awareness for their chosen charities.

CARBON-NEUTRAL DELIVERY
For every product sold on Bazaar we plant a tree via Ecologi, and all customers have the opportunity to contribute towards a carbon-neutral delivery.

22 million pieces of furniture are thrown away every year in the UK*. Shocking stats that made us think, “we can do better”!

Saying goodbye to cheap, low-quality materials, our new furniture collections were designed with the future in mind, and selected products come with a ‘Lifetime Guarantee’.

Not only that, but we have saved 1000s of furnishing items from landfills over the years with our rental offering, which sees furniture lovingly restored before being sent to its new address.

*North London Waste Authority, 2021.

Working closely with our supply chains, we are actively influencing how they package their furniture in a bid to diminish our furniture footprint. Our ambition is to supply 100% of product packaging that is reusable or ‘widely recyclable’ and we will focus on the ranges and business areas where we feel we can most impact initially.

In the meantime, our fantastic Logistics team remove all packaging and waste when installing, separating the recyclable materials, and keeping hold of those all-important reusable bags.

There are so many faces behind the doors at AGC, and each individual and team plays an equally important role in delivering the finest interiors in the kindest way to people and the planet.

Whether it be our Marketing team using only recyclable materials for literature or going digital with business cards, our Operations team reviewing the power of our fleet or Business Management reviewing recruitment policies and ‘Accouter Academy’ training packages, the responsibility lies with us all.

We look forward to sharing our successes and new initiatives over the forthcoming months and years.