Megan Welch - Higgidy sustainability manager

Source: Higgidy

Megan Welch

Vegetarian-led pastry brand Higgidy has appointed Megan Welch to the role of sustainability manager.

The brand created the position following its B Corp accreditation last summer. B Corp certification is awarded to businesses deemed to be meeting high standards of performance, accountability and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials.

Welch, formerly the environmental engagement and behaviour change manager at Kent County Council, will be in charge of devising and leading Higgidy’s sustainability strategy. She started her career as a sustainability specialist at Canon and her previous roles also include sustainability executive at Virgin Atlantic.

Welch welcomed the opportunity to shape Higgidy’s sustainability strategy, declaring herself a long-time admirer of the brand and describing the new role as “a dream come true”.

“My main focus is working cross functionally at Higgidy to understand the key sustainability themes that are important to us, encouraging them to come up with their own ideas, as well as providing direction and focus in the form of our new strategy,” she said.

According to Rachel Kelley, CEO at Higgidy, Welch’s appointment will allow the brand to set ambitious targets and help it “move from a good place, to a great place” in terms of reducing its environmental impact.

“We are living in a climate emergency. Now more than ever before it is the responsibility of the business sector to help make a positive difference to our planet,” Kelley said. “Going through the B Corp accreditation process last year helped us to understand what we are doing well and where we can do more.”

Higgidy recently announced plans to move its popular six-inch quiche range from plastic to paper cases following the transition of its Little Quiches to paper cases last year. Higgidy estimates the new packaging format will save 51.3 tonnes of plastic and 5.8 tonnes of cardboard.

The brand will also move its pies from plastic trays to foil cases later this year, which according to Higgidy will mean a reduction of its total plastic consumption by 72.2 tonnes by the end of 2022.