The Venues Collection achieves ECOsmart Gold accreditation across all five venues

21 July 2026 (Last updated: 21 Jul 2026 08:37)

The Venues Collection has achieved ECOsmart Gold accreditation across all five of its venues, providing event organisers with the assurance of independently verified sustainability standards across its entire portfolio.

Awarded by Greengage, ECOsmart Gold recognises organisations that demonstrate excellence across environmental and social criteria including energy and water management, waste reduction, responsible procurement and community engagement.

The accreditation is the latest milestone in The Venues Collection's sustainability journey and independently validates the progress made through its Future First Charter – the Group's long-term sustainability framework built around three pillars: People Pledge, Food Focus and Enriching Environments.

The achievement means every venue within The Venues Collection - Kents Hill Park, Milton Hill House, Sedgebrook Hall, Eastwood Hall and Yarnfield Park - now holds the Gold accreditation.

Joanne Barratt, Managing Director of The Venues Collection, said: "Our Future First Charter has always been about turning ambition into action, creating meaningful improvements that benefit our customers, our people and the communities around our venues. Achieving ECOsmart Gold across every venue is independent recognition of that commitment and gives organisers confidence that sustainability is embedded throughout our operations, whichever venue they choose.

"As expectations around sustainable events continue to grow, we want to make it easier for organisers to select venues that support their own environmental goals. This accreditation demonstrates that sustainability isn't an initiative running alongside our business – it's part of how we operate every day."

Andrew Perolls, CEO of Greengage Solutions, said: "Achieving Gold ECOsmart certification across all five of The Venues Collection properties reflects a consistent approach to sustainability across the portfolio. High scores in food and beverage, with initiatives such as removing palm oil, eliminating single-use plastics, becoming an accredited Living Wage Employer and investing in EV charging, show that sustainability is embedded in venue operations. ECOsmart certification provides independent verification of these achievements, giving The Venues Collection customers and guests confidence in their sustainability standards. Congratulations to everyone involved on reaching this impressive milestone."

The Venues Collection already has strong sustainability credentials across its portfolio, with all properties holding Silver Green Meetings accreditation and Eastwood Hall achieving Gold. ECOsmart Gold builds on this established commitment, further strengthening the Collection’s independently recognised sustainability standards.

The Future First Charter has driven a series of sustainability initiatives across the collection, including zero waste to landfill, carbon labelling across menus, a plant-forward food offer, 100% of food waste being diverted to anaerobic digestion, renewable electricity generation, biodiversity projects and investment in solar-powered EV charging. The Group has also embedded sustainability into its people strategy through apprenticeships, leadership development and diversity and wellbeing initiatives.

For event organisers, the ECOsmart Gold accreditation provides independent verification that these initiatives are delivering measurable outcomes, offering confidence that sustainability has been embedded consistently across The Venues Collection's entire portfolio.

For more information about the Future First Charter: https://www.thevenuescollection.co.uk/about/future-first-charter/

For organisers wishing to know more about the five venues within the collection, please contact: Sales@TheVenuesCollection.co.uk

The Venues Collection

The Venues Collection, offers hotel accommodation and event space across five UK properties, providing comfortable ensuite bedrooms, relaxing leisure facilities and peaceful surroundings.

The Venues Collection: One Group. Five Venues. 180 Meeting & Training Rooms. 1,011 Bedrooms.

The Venues Collection properties include: Kents Hill Park, Milton Keynes, Milton Hill House, Oxfordshire, Sedgebrook Hall, Northamptonshire, Eastwood Hall, Nottinghamshire and Yarnfield Park, Staffordshire.

Sustainability is a key focus for The Venues Collection, with award‑winning initiatives delivered through its Future First Charter.

For more information visit: www.thevenuescollection.co.uk

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