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Belu

Doing business differently

Images: courtesy of Belu

Belu was founded in 2002 on the principle that there was a better way to do business. The drinks brand gives 100% of its net profits to WaterAid and, to date, it has invested over £5 million in the charity, providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene to communities around the world.

Alongside this social mission, Belu is also putting the environment first. In 2019, it became the first water company to make all of its plastic bottles from 100% recycled plastic bottles. The following year, it cut the carbon intensity of its products and business by 34% versus 2019, and it has channelled nearly 80 million bottles into new Belu bottles, keeping glass and plastic out of landfills and oceans. As well as supplying mineral water and water filtration to UK hospitality and corporates, it expanded into mixer drinks in 2021 and has launched water filtration in Hong Kong. According to Belu Co-CEO Charlotte Harrington, the company’s agility has helped it push boundaries on sustainability in the sector. “Sometimes it’s easier for us to try things than some of the bigger brands,” she explains. “We’re always the one that is willing to take that risk if it can demonstrate there is a better benchmark in the industry that others can use, replicate and grow.”

For the last 10 years, Belu has been carbon neutral, conforming to the international standard, PAS 2060 – long before the starting pistol was fired in the UK’s race to zero campaign. “We’ve always had sustainability at the core of the business and a social purpose,” says Harrington. “Now it’s about how we demonstrate it is possible to run a profitable business that is growing and can still live by those values.” She says the BBC documentary Blue Planet prompted a shift in customer conversations regarding the brand’s sustainability credentials. “Up until that point, all people wanted to know about was our work with WaterAid. Now, the sustainability piece is what we start talking about. Covid-19 gave people time to think about what else is going on in the world and now it’s become a very mainstream conversation, which is a really good thing,” she comments.

Charles Russell Speechlys Partner Mike Powner has provided strategic advice to Belu since 2019 after being introduced by the Social Business Trust. “Ahead of its time, with impeccable ESG credentials, we are proud to be a partner and supporter of this innovative and progressive business,” he says.

"Working with advisors that share Belu’s values is vitally important," says Harrington. “Our sweet spot has always been finding partners who genuinely want to do the right thing, want to do business differently and buy into Belu and our credibility."

“Let us be the case study that shows it’s possible to scale and grow a business that’s good for people and planet, without adding to your carbon footprint and damaging the environment.”

“Working with advisors that share Belu’s values is vitally important. Our sweet spot has always been finding partners who genuinely want to do the right thing, want to do business differently and buy into Belu and our credibility”

- Charlotte Harrington, Co-CEO, Belu

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