Celebrating 14 Years of English Tea Shop: A journey of sustainability, community, and empowerment
Today, we are delighted to celebrate our 14th anniversary. As we reflect on our journey, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible milestones we’ve achieved and the meaningful impact we’ve made on our planet and communities. Our story is one of passion for organic farming, employee empowerment, and a commitment to sustainability in creating a better world for all.
Launch of English Tea Shop in 2010
English Tea Shop was born out of a passion for organic farming and a desire to work directly with our farmers, bypassing the traditional auction model. Our vision was to create an empowering tea revolution focused on sustainability and employee ownership. With this mission, we embarked on a journey to transform the tea industry, prioritising fair practices and environmental responsibility.
Pioneering the Creating Shared Value Approach in 2016
In 2016, we introduced our unique Creating Shared Value approach, which focuses on achieving economic, social, and environmental sustainability outcomes. This approach ensures that our business model benefits everyone, from farmers to consumers. By fostering transparency, fairness, and empowerment, we have been able to make a positive impact on the planet and its communities.
Becoming 100% Organic in 2017
After seven years of hard work, we announced that we had become 100% organic in 2017. This journey involved transitioning from conventional practices to supporting small-scale organic farmers and converting our entire value chain to organic. Organic farming is crucial for the environment as it supports biodiversity, mitigates the long-term impact of farming on global agriculture, and promotes sustainable agriculture for future generations.
Re-Branding in 2018
2018 was a significant year for us as we launched our brand revamp. By incorporating our Mandala system, we brought our story to life and communicated our mission more effectively. This re-branding effort helped us connect with our customers on a deeper level and share our commitment to sustainability more clearly.
Awards and Recognitions in 2020
In 2020, we received the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development, the UK’s highest accolade for business success in sustainability. This award recognised our pioneering Creating Shared Value business model and strong leadership, rooted in our Prajāva philosophy. Additionally, we were honoured with the Great Game of Business All-Star Award in 2020, 2021, and 2022, celebrating our commitment to inclusivity and transparency through open-book management.
Global Footprint and Employee Ownership in 2021
By 2021, we had achieved a global footprint of 48 countries, spreading our love for organic tea worldwide. That same year, we celebrated becoming 30% employee-owned, underscoring our commitment to empowering our team and fostering a sense of shared purpose and ownership. Today, 77% of our 289 employees are shareholders, with 44% being females and 57% being packing members.
Carbon-Neutral Certification in 2021
In our ongoing commitment to sustainability, our facilities attained carbon-neutral certification in 2021. This achievement reflects our dedication to reducing our environmental impact and promoting eco-friendly practices throughout our operations.
B-Corp Certification in 2022
In 2022, we became B-Corp Certified, validating our purpose and commitment towards our people and planet. This certification highlights our dedication to sustainability and social responsibility, ensuring we meet the highest standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency, which is at the core of our business.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate our 14th anniversary, we are grateful for the incredible journey we’ve had so far. Join us as we continue our empowering tea revolution in organic farming and employee ownership for many more years to come.
Here’s to a brighter, greener future together!