Wild Thang celebrates three decades of impact with major ESG Expo and Gala

Industry leaders have been united with this momentous Liverpool event, highlighting sustainable branding, ethical supply chains and cutting-edge technology.

Founded in 1996 with support from the King’s Trust, Wild Thang is an industry-leading and award-winning branding solutions company.

Marking it’s 30th anniversary with a landmark ESG, Product & Tech Revolution Expo along with a Gala Dinner, Wild Thang gathered hundreds of clients, partners and suppliers to celebrate their continued progress. 

The event was hosted at the Hilton Liverpool City Centre, with the multifaceted event blending a future-focused industry expo with an immersive evening.

This event aimed to encapsulate both Wild Thang’s evolution over the past 30 years in fulfilling its mission:

“To Deliver one world-class solution that elevates creative branded clothing, merchandise and print through sustainable practices and ethical production, ‘The Wild Thang Way’”.

The event is believe to be the first of it’s kind focusing on “Doing Business Better”, unlike the usual traditional galas. 

Overall there was a clear message behind the landmark event: Doing business better for planet people with purpose and progress, not perfection.  The event featured thousands of lower-eco impact product ideas, as well as the launch of new technologies, including on-demand and digital solutions. 

All of these are designed to help organisations mitigate supply chain risk, improve efficiency, strengthen ESG commitments and brand performance.

Andrew Dwerryhouse, Founder & Managing Director of Wild Thang, said:

“For our milestone 30th birthday, we really wanted to do something that dared to be different and be much more than a party. We don’t think milestone business moments get any bigger. I think we did it in Wild Thang way style and genuinely hope all attendees left feeling inspired, empowered with more knowledge to do things better.”

“We wanted it to be a celebration of our family business, everyone who has played an integral role in our 30-year journey, including fellow family member Directors, Chris Dwerryhouse, John Howarth & Sarah Howarth, our amazing team, partners, collaborators, suppliers and friends, all of whom we see as family.”

“It was important to showcase how we have placed ESG central to Wild Thang’s culture and now being a proud B Corp we have never been more excited about the future even with the current global challenges, focused on doing business better for planet people with purpose and progress we hope to push through the £10 Million T/O barrier this year and aim for £20 million over the next 3 years.”

Wild Thang is a a certified B Corporation that has used the event to demonstrate how businesses can balance purpose and profit while delivering tangible outcomes for people, planet and purpose.

Key highlights included:

• Programme of industry expert speakers and panel discussions.
• Launch of new on-demand and digital branding solutions
• Introduction of a new Stanley/Stella sustainable team uniform
• Distribution of lower-eco impact 30th anniversary goody bags
• Carbon offsetting of all attendees’ travel
• Raising over £2,000 for charity partners

This has resulted in a big reduction in event-generated waste, offsetting attendee travel emissions, and raising over £2,000 for charity partners. The brand has shown practical ways to reduce environmental impact strengthen ESG performance and mitigate risk all while tackling digital solutions.

Sarah Howarth, Commercial Director at Wild Thang, said: 

“From the very beginning, we’ve had a mindset of striving to be the best. Through collaboration, learning and industry engagement, we’ve evolved to place ESG, ethical sourcing and technology at the heart of what we do. That allows us to deliver real value for our clients while supporting our community and the planet. As we celebrate 30 years, it genuinely feels like we’re just getting started.”

A highlight of the day was the programme of speakers and panel discussions, which saw people brought together with respected voices from across business, sustainability and industry leadership. 

Speakers included representatives from organisations such as:

• Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
• British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA)
• STAHLS’ EMEA
• Stanley/Stella
• The King’s Trust
• Nugent
• Clatterbridge Cancer Charity
• University of Liverpool and wider industry bodies

Phil Goodman, Chief Executive of the British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA), commented: 

“Wild Thang is among the best in the industry. They are committed to doing things more sustainably, ethically and authentically, and this Expo showcased exactly how the industry can evolve. Sustainability is not optional; it’s essential for the future of our sector, and events like this help move that conversation forward.”

The venue also hosted the 30th Anniversary Gala Dinner celebrating Wild Thang’s people and partnerships.

Hosting the gala was the talented Claire Simmo, along with first-class entertainment from Jazzophonists, Olivia Mae Music & Apres Music throughout the evening.

Awards presented on the evening included:

• Employee of the Decade – Leigh McLaughlin
• Supplier of the Year – Laltex Group

Reinforcing their commitment to social impact, the event also showcased Wild Thang’s relationship with supporting charity partners, Nugent and Clatterbridge Cancer Charity.

Carrie Dwerryhouse, ESG Manager at Wild Thang, added:

“It’s been a complete team effort to deliver these 30th celebrations. Achieving B Corp certification was a major milestone for us, and we now have a responsibility to inspire and support other organisations to raise their standards for people and planet. If more businesses embraced this mindset, the positive impact would be incredible. We know better never stops, and our ambition is to become one of the most sustainable and certified companies in our industry globally.”

Find out more about Wild Thang here.

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