Open to UK brands operating in the sustainable built environment market, the focus of the pitch is innovations across the design, energy, and construction sectors
Marks and Spencer has once again joined forced with Ecobuild, the international event for construction and energy, to launch a platform for companies to pitch innovative building products and solutions in the hope of becoming a potential supplier to the globally-positioned retailer.
Ecobuild’s Big Innovation Pitch is open to brands operating in the United Kingdom’s sustainable built environment market. Created to unearth innovations across the design, construction, and energy sectors, the tie-up supports M&S’ aim to discover innovations which will help its properties perform better and become more sustainable.
The objective forms part of the marque’s Plan A sustainability strategy, under which it endeavours to source responsibly, reduce waste, and help communities, with the ultimate goal of becoming the world’s most sustainable major retailer.
The initiative presents two prime opportunities for entries to be seen. The 15 shortlisted entries will be displayed at Ecobuild’s new central social hub—the DISCOVER bar—alongside the shortlists for all 13 categories of the Architect of the Year Awards.
The five selected finalists will make their final pitch to the judges, including Chris Marney, Head of Engineering and Energy at M&S, in a special conference session hosted by Rachel Riley from the Gadget Show and Countdown on the third day of the conference, which carries the theme, ‘Next Generation’.
The pitch is a key initiative providing a platform for growth, helping businesses fast track their penetration into a wide range of markets. The hugely successful debut at Ecobuild 2015 saw the winning firm Endo Enterprises triumph the more than 40 other products entered.
The competition gives entrants an opportunity to receive feedback on their product and the way in which they present it. It also helps M&S remain at the forefront of innovation in this space.
“As part of our Plan A sustainability programme, we are always looking for innovations that will improve efficiency in our energy consumption, water usage and waste management,” said Munish Datta, Head of Plan A and FM Property at Marks and Spencer.
