Founded by long-time recruitment professional Kate Evans in response to the current climate change crisis, Graduate Planet CIC primary objective is to help create long term environmental sustainability. As a social enterprise (CIC) the compnay reinvests 100% of trading profit generated through it's recruitment services into educational initiatives that protect and nurture the environment.
Graduate Planet celebrated its first placement by planting a large Oak tree in Birmingham to symbolise strength and longevity for it's mission. The business was soon invited onto the PwC Entrepreneur Programme and went on to create a honey bee wood with the help of 85 multinational corporate volunteers.
In early 2018 GP was awarded the 'Woman Who Achieves' Best New Business Award and became the FSB Most Ethical Business and SME Best New Business 2018 finalist before being invited to House of Commons for the Social Enterprise UK 'Buy Corporate Challenge'.
Now in its 5th year Graduate Planet is working with some of the UK's most innovative businesses , our journey has been a very exciting and interesting one, collaborating with educational partners, charities and schools to deliver the School Sustainability Programme which is educating hundreds of primary school children in environmental sustainability solutions, supporting teachers and vulnerable people in the community during lockdown.
As a certified Social Enterprise we hope that other businesses follow this business model to take up their social and environmental responsibility becasue together, through our supply chains we can create a more sustainable future for all.
In Sheldon Park, Birmingham
Kate Evans
Kate is the Founder of Graduate Planet CIC with 25 years of experience in recruitmentc supporting a broad range of SME’s and international businesses. Kate is passionate about creating long term environmental sustainability and equipping the next generation with the information they need to reduce climate change.
Tony McNally
Tony is the MD of Climate Change Solutions Ltd. He jointly organised the first Midlands Environmental Business Conference NEC, from which it was established and continues to date as the MEBC (Club). He was involved in organising the Pledge to the Planet and Tree of Life campaign, with John Talbot, David Middleton Jonathon Porritt, leading to and featuring in the UN Earth Summit Rio 1992. He also participated in Coventry and Warwickshire Savers as a local Agenda 21 NGO.
Simon Gee
Simon is a procurement leadership professional with over 25 years of experience and a proven track record of delivering transformational change including creating new procurement functions, merging procurement operations and step change improvements in the performance of existing procurement departments. Simon has held senior procurement leadership roles in the automotive, food, pharmaceutical, healthcare and utility industries managing spends of up to two billion pounds per annum. Simon is passionate about “getting the basics right” and supports the procurement operations of government and charitable organisations on a voluntary basis.
Peter Wharton
Peter is the Director of Wharton, a natural infrastructure consultancy. He is a chartered arboriculturalist and consultant with over 15 years combined experience within the public and private sectors. In recent years Peter has moved from a technical day-to-day job to now managing a team of knowledgeable and successful young professionals. Previously, Peter has been the Vice-Chair, a Trustee and Director of the Arboricultural Association, Chair of the Associations Media and Communications Committee and currently sits on the Consultants Working Group and Midlands Branch Committee. Professional member of the Institute of Chartered Foresters and Registered Consultant, Fellow of the Arboricultural Association, Licensed user of Quantified Tree Risk Assessment, Lantra Professional Tree Inspection certificated
Educating the next generation in environmental sustainability
Working together we can improve the local community
We planted an Oak tree in Sheldon Park Birmingham to celebrate longevity for both the environment & Graduate Planet CIC
Supporting our creation of Honey Bee Wood near Stratford Upon Avon
Use your supply chain wisely, you have the power to transform the world
Supporting the UK's largest Community Solar Farm
Educating Birmingham School Children about the need for trees
Working with Forest Garden Charities to combat climate change