Finnebrogue’s Sam Turner Wins Quality Foods Rising Star Award for Sustainability Efforts
14th Nov 2024
Sam Turner, sustainability executive at Finnebrogue, has been awarded Quality Foods Rising Star 2024 at a prestigious awards ceremony in London on 7th November. It was also the 45th year of the Quality Food Awards and the first since Covid restrictions in 2019.
This accolade distinguishes Sam among an impressive field of national talent and acknowledges his impactful work in environmental strategy and sustainable practices, which he has championed at Finnebrogue since joining the company in 2023.
Sam initially joined Finnebrogue in August 2023 to perform Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data collection for the company’s brand products. His goal was to support Finnebrogue’s commitment to transparent and eco-friendly packaging—a role he approached with enthusiasm and expertise.
Supported by his MA in Sustainability, Sam has worked closely with the Head of Sustainability to shape and deliver the company’s Bigger Picture programme and its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) vision. His contribution has been significant in advancing Finnebrogue’s sustainability mission, with a particular focus on reducing environmental impacts across the company’s operations.
Major Milestones in Sam’s Journey
Scope 3 Emissions Measurement:
• Participated in the company’s first Scope 3 emissions project, which revealed that 90% of emissions are within Scope 3.
• Enabled identification of environmental hotspots, aiding in the development of carbon reduction strategies.
Supplier Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA)
Assessed over 80 suppliers on environmental and social criteria, facilitating cross-departmental sustainability decision-making.
Established methods to ensure supplier alignment with sustainability goals, fostering collaboration for improvements.
Waterless Urinals Installation
Initiated the installation of waterless urinals, projected to save 7,174 m³ of water annually, equivalent to 2.8 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Wildgrass Biodiversity Bank
Collaborated with local Strangford company, Ecoseeds, to convert a 4000m² area into a native wild grass habitat at Finnebrogue’s plant-based site, enhancing local biodiversity and supporting the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.
Reflecting on Sam’s contributions, Paul Andrews, Head of Sustainability said:
“Sam’s recognition as Quality Foods Rising Star 2024 is a well-deserved acknowledgement of his hard work, expertise, and unwavering dedication to creating a more sustainable future. We are incredibly proud of his achievements and look forward to his continued impact here at Finnebrogue.”
