JOE YALLEY-OGUNRO, HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY, FINLAYS
This is a pivotal year for Finlays as we accelerate progress toward Sustainable Future 2030. With 2026 marking the halfway point of our strategy, it’s vital we take major steps forward across Climate Net Zero, Our People and Sustainable Supply.
Happily, there are a great many project and initiatives happening in every corner of our business. To take a look ahead, I asked colleagues from across Finlays to share the one thing they’re most excited about.
1. Piloting our approach to Scope 3
Amélie Rey-Giraud, Climate Change Manager
“In 2026, I’m excited to work on our Scope 3 and FLAG decarbonisation pilot, partnering with 11 strategic suppliers. We will assess supplier maturity, gather emissions data, and co-develop actionable plans. This project is a key step toward creating replicable strategies that accelerate value-chain decarbonisation and deliver impact beyond our own operations.”
2. Launching our first Supplier Management Standard
Roberto Rodríguez Sabater, Supply Chain Sustainability Manager, Head Office
“I am looking forward to our first Supplier Management Standard which will set clear expectations for quality, food safety, and sustainability across our global supply chain. This standard strengthens compliance, drives collaboration, and ensures consistency, empowering suppliers to align and meet Finlays ambitious targets.”
3. Bold, inclusive, sustainable progress
Veronica Van Egmond, Chief People Officer, Finlays Solutions
“Expanding through the Leahy acquisition unlocks new possibilities for our people. We’re growing with purpose, advancing sustainability, championing Women in Leadership, and standing strong as a Living Wage Employer. Our combined talent is extraordinary, and 2026 will be a year where our people power bold, inclusive, sustainable progress.”
4. Contributing to the Sri Lankan tea industry’s long-term sustainability
Lallini Croos, Senior Manager – Sustainability, Finlays Colombo
“What excites me about Sustainable Supply in 2026 at Finlays Colombo, is the rollout of a revised, risk-based approach to SRM programme supported by a dedicated resource. This means recognising sustainable supply as a business enabler and not a compliance exercise. In Sri Lanka’s auction-based system, this collaborative model is both practical and necessary. It allows us to build on earlier supplier engagement, strengthen relationships, enhance supplier capability, and retain a resilient supplier base that is aligned with our growth strategy while positively contributing to the Sri Lankan tea industry’s long-term sustainability.”
5. Advancing our Living Wage plans
Rachael Steed, Head of HR, Head Office
“In 2026, I’m excited to see the progress we will make on our Living Wage plans. After laying strong foundations throughout 2025, we are now ready to begin implementing our plans. The positive impact this will have on the livelihoods and wellbeing of our people – and by extension on the wider community – is truly inspiring and continues to motivate me every day.”
6. Sustainability as a differentiator
Megan Conceicao, Insights Analyst
“As consumers, we will all feel the effects of climate change in 2026, and I expect interest and commitment to sustainability will continue to be a priority for people deciding where to spend their money. I’m excited to see how brands and operators respond to this by increasingly using sustainability storytelling to demonstrate how they are reducing their environmental footprint and making meaningful progress on sustainability.”
7. A new approach to Sustainable Sourcing at Finlay Beverages
Paul Jefferies, Senior Responsible Sourcing Manager: Tea, Coffee & Infusions
“At Finlay Beverages we will be launching our own Sustainable Sourcing Strategy for tea, coffee and infusions, to help deliver our part of Sustainable Future 2030. This will set out our plans to work closely with our partners at origin on climate change mitigation, improving workers and farmer’s livelihoods.”
8. US Brands focus on Purpose
Helen Hume, VP of Sustainability, Finlays Solutions
“Tea and coffee brands across the US have been demonstrating their commitment to sustainability all while delivering amazing products. I’m excited to see how brands will continue to innovate in 2026, whether that’s by supporting underrepresented groups, repurposing waste, or getting closer to net zero – it all enhances our shared purpose, and I’m proud of Finlays’ role as a trusted partner in building a more sustainable beverage industry.”
9. Reducing carbon in coffee supply chains
Thomas Blackwall, Head of Raw Materials
“In 2026, I am looking forward to continuing our work on reducing carbon within the coffee supply chain by taking some of the key learnings from our project in Colombia and transposing them to some of our other key origins. I am proud to have suppliers who are really excited by the project and customers who buy into our vision.”
10. Two decarbonisation projects in Argentina
Andrea Berg Chief of Sustainability, Finlays Argentina
“At Finlays Argentina we are promoting two decarbonization projects: the measurement of carbon capture in native forests together with a technical team from Misiones and the analysis of carbon capture in soils. Through better management practices, they seek to enhance the capacity of their lands as natural carbon sinks. Both projects supervised by Prosustentia, aligning the methodology to the SBTi standard.”
11. Accelerating cleaner operations in Kenya
Sharon Cherotich Assistant Manager – Quality Assurance, Sustainability& Certification, Finlays Tea Extracts Kenya
“In 2026, We’re excited about accelerating cleaner operations, including transitioning forklifts from diesel to electric to cut emissions and improve efficiency. Equally important is deeper collaboration with our suppliers—supporting renewable energy adoption and practical environmental protection initiatives that strengthen sustainability across our entire value chain, long-term resilience, and shared value.”
Turning Ambition into Progress
When I read the comments from colleagues on the year ahead in sustainability it reinforced for me the opportunity we have to turn ambition into meaningful progress. Each action we take can move us closer to Sustainable Future 2030 and strengthens Finlays’ role as a responsible business and leader in the beverage industry.
A successful 2026 for sustainability in Finlays is dependent on our collaboration, commitment and accountability across each the three pillars of our strategy. The main activities we will be focussed on delivering are:
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Capacity building and training
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Delivery of measured improvements in sustainable operations by implementing projects across carbon, energy, water use and waste
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Improving supply chain resilience via engagement and alignment with Supplier Relationship Management and piloting our supplier decarbonisation approach
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Continuing to integrate Human Rights Due Diligence in our businesses’ action plans and starting on the path to measuring the impact of our actions.
By staying focused, providing support, and leaning into the expertise across our teams, we can deliver the step‑change required in 2026.
Click here to find out more about Sustainable Future 2030
