About us
Why Savvy Green
SMEs make up 99.9% of UK businesses. They're the backbone of the economy — and increasingly, they're the ones being asked to prove their sustainability
But here's the catch: most SMEs want to do the right thing. They just don't have the resources or the in-house expertise to make it happen.
Then there are the constantly moving goalposts. New regulations like the UK SRS (UK's Sustainability Reporting Standards) may not affect small businesses directly. But they affect their bigger customers — who then expect their suppliers to answer tricky questions, pushing the pressure straight down the supply chain. Suddenly the pressure's on you.
For too long, the real support has been built for big corporations with big budgets and whole sustainability teams. Smaller businesses get left to figure it out alone — which is exactly the gap Savvy Green was built to fill.
We make proper sustainability support practical, proportionate and genuinely useful for businesses like yours.
Common Challenges for SMEs
You're too busy running and growing the business to make sustainability a priority.
You're tired of umming and ahhing whenever a customer or stakeholder asks about your environmental commitments.
You know it matters, but you're not sure where to start — or whether what you're doing is even right.
If you’re done with treating sustainability as a problem, and are ready to turn it into an opportunity, let’s get to work.
Alice Thornton-Smith
Founder
I’ve spent 14 years helping businesses turn environmental ambition into something real — across SMEs like Red-Inc, charities like Say Aphasia, specialist sustainability consultancies, and large multinationals including Canon, Lucozade Ribena Suntory and Grundfos.
I've been doing this since before it was fashionable. I completed my Corporate Environmental Management MSc at the University of Surrey back when sustainability was still treated as a nice-to-have, a box-ticking exercise. The world has changed a lot since then; but the fundamentals of doing it properly haven't.
I genuinely care about getting this right — and I'd rather help a business make one real change than write a glossy report that looks good but says nothing. That's also why I love working with smaller businesses: you're adaptable, you're willing, and you can change direction. A decision made today can be an action by next week — and that's where the real differences get made.
All that nitty-gritty, behind-the-scenes, impact-measuring, sustainability-strategising and communications-planning? That's my happy place. Together we'll take an honest, data-driven approach that proves you're taking genuine action — because customers can smell greenwash a mile away.
Wherever you are and whatever you need help with, think of me as your guide and not your judge.
Who I’ve worked with
What makes us different?
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As the little guy in the David Vs Goliath story, we think SMEs deserve a little extra care. The “big guys” have an army of resources available. SMEs, in comparison, face the challenges of limited resources, time and knowledge.
That’s who we’re here for: businesses big enough to be asked the hard questions but small enough that a full sustainability team isn’t realistic. You don’t need one - not all the time - but you sometimes need a helping hand.
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We don't upsell or pressurise.
We’ll work with you to find solutions suited to your business and budget.
With a small consultancy, you’re getting senior expertise directly - without paying for big-agency overheads.
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As a boutique consultancy, our approach is tailored not templated.
We believe success lies in listening, understanding and creating results-driven solutions unique to your business.
All that nitty-gritty, behind the scenes analysis, sustainability planning and communications creation? That’s our happy place.
You can expect us in your corner cheering you on, giving step-by-step instructions, and answering questions every step of the way.
This might be:
A 1:1 chat
Supportive coaching sessions
Asset Review
Impact Assessment
Focused analysis based no a specific request or criteria
End-to—end inspection, route planning and communications
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You might have heard of the UN’s SDGs, B-Corp and other sustainable accreditations and feel pressured to get one.
We'll help you find the right path for your business. That might include using a recognised framework or working towards an accreditation, but only if it's right for your business.
That being said, undertaking a B Impact Assessment (BIA) is a fantastic and free way to find out more about your impact. You can do the assessment to test the waters – without having to get fully certified.
There’s no fear mongering or forceful tactics involved – just suggestions of what you can manage as a business.
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Sustainability can feel like one more thing on an already full plate — and hiring someone permanent isn't always realistic.
That's where we come in. Use us as much or as little as you need — from a one-off coaching session to a part-time extension of your team. No expensive headcount, no unnecessary complexity.
Don’t just take our word for it
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Alice is a very strong sustainability strategist and communicator. She understands the social and environmental agenda and recognises the role that communications can play in creating change.
Stuart Poore, Director of Sustainability and Government Affairs, Canon, EMEA
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Talk about a full-service experience. Savvy Green were knowledgeable and efficient. I would happily work with them again.
Satish Bakhda, CEO, Big Red Environmental, Singapore
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In the past we’ve had to immediately reach for the metaphorical red pen and start to edit. Alice’s work was great on the first draft. I loved how she captured our tone of voice and made the articles relatable to our visitors.
Paul Stocken, Marketing Director, Say Aphasia, UK
Wherever you are with sustainability, questions can come from any direction —from customers, suppliers, or even yourself —so you don't need to have it all worked out before we talk.
I'm not here to catch you out — just to help you find the right answers and solutions for your business, whatever pace that takes.
The important thing is to get going.