What does it mean to be part of the Business against Poverty movement? Can membership make a tangible positive difference to your company, your team and your future?
In the first of a new series of interviews, we speak with Jules English, Director of Triangle Design Ltd, a long-standing Business against Poverty member who puts social purpose firmly at the heart of business operations, to find out more about what membership means to her organisation.
Can you tell us a little about your business – who are you, where you’re based and what you do?
Triangle Design is a retail-based design agency, specialising in working with household names to promote their brands in retail environments. We are based at the Bristol & Bath Science Park. My business partner Jim Parry & I established the business in 2005, and we’ve been on quite a journey together ever since. From concept design and packaging to pop-up shops and brand activation, we make brands truly visible.
What does Triangle Design do best?
We partner with some truly incredible brands; our biggest client at the moment is LEGO and we create lots of fun materials in tandem with them. What sets us apart is that every single one of our creative projects, everything we do, is completely different – we always take a fresh approach and let the designs lead the way.
Our greatest strength is bringing brands to life at point-of-purchase. 2020 has obviously proven to be a hugely testing year for retailers, yet we truly believe that physical retail will endure and thrive in the long run. Online shopping is all well and good, but shoppers want to touch, feel and experience products before buying. People are built to connect; this year has proved that all of us thrive on social interaction and connection, outside of our own four walls.
What does it mean to be part of the Business against Poverty movement? Can membership make a tangible positive difference to your company, your team and your future?
In the first of a new series of interviews, we speak with Jules English, Director of Triangle Design Ltd, a long-standing Business against Poverty member who puts social purpose firmly at the heart of business operations, to find out more about what membership means to her organisation.
Can you tell us a little about your business – who are you, where you’re based and what you do?
Triangle Design is a retail-based design agency, specialising in working with household names to promote their brands in retail environments. We are based at the Bristol & Bath Science Park. My business partner Jim Parry & I established the business in 2005, and we’ve been on quite a journey together ever since. From concept design and packaging to pop-up shops and brand activation, we make brands truly visible.
What does Triangle Design do best?
We partner with some truly incredible brands; our biggest client at the moment is LEGO and we create lots of fun materials in tandem with them. What sets us apart is that every single one of our creative projects, everything we do, is completely different – we always take a fresh approach and let the designs lead the way.
Our greatest strength is bringing brands to life at point-of-purchase. 2020 has obviously proven to be a hugely testing year for retailers, yet we truly believe that physical retail will endure and thrive in the long run. Online shopping is all well and good, but shoppers want to touch, feel and experience products before buying. People are built to connect; this year has proved that all of us thrive on social interaction and connection, outside of our own four walls.
What types of customers do you work with?
We work with retailers and also directly with brands, both large and small: the end game is the same. We’re passionate about extracting the best of a business or brand and bringing it to the forefront in effective, innovative and economically-justifiable ways – the latter of which, of course, has never been more important.
How long have you been a Business Against Poverty member?
We’ve been supporting Business against Poverty for more than a decade now; I believe we were one of the first members, signing up not long after first connecting with Bill [Huxley, Business against Poverty’s volunteer director].
Why did you choose to join the Business against Poverty movement?
The decision to join Business against Poverty was an easy one for us; what initially began as a chance to connect with like-minded business people has evolved into an essential strand of our corporate social responsibility pledge: we strive to give back to the communities in which we do business and to give corporately to help those in need, and that’s why we donate a minimum of 1% of our turnover each year.
Over the years, I’ve learned a great deal about People against Poverty and the tangible difference that the financial contributions given by Business against Poverty members makes to support essential humanitarian efforts around the world, from Haiti to Nepal.
I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit one of People against Poverty’s projects in Romania alongside my family a few years and it really did affect us all; it was so inspiring and made a lasting impact.
What would you say are the biggest benefits of being part of this community?
Business against Poverty isn’t about getting something for my money; it’s about doing good with my money.
Our motivation for supporting Business against Poverty was, and continues to be, finding a way for Triangle Design to give back in a measurable way: by being a part of this community, you can actually see the impact that’s being made in the [People against Poverty] projects: the children that the charity is feeding, helping and supporting. It’s really tangible.
It’s also highly encouraging to be part of a community of business owners who are working towards a common goal, and to have the opportunity to participate in events like the recent ‘Keeping your business on purpose’ webinar and learn from other companies that are championing ethical ways of working.
We wear the BaP badge proudly on our website because that’s what we are: we are a ‘Business against Poverty’. This is important to us and we believe in the power of telling others and sharing this message.
When you give, you know that your money is making a difference, and that’s what we’ve always wanted to be able to do – to tell our team, and our clients, that by working alongside us they’re helping to deliver positive change in the world.
Would you recommend Business against Poverty membership?
Absolutely; while most businesses and individuals are unquestionably experiencing hugely difficult times right now, with many operating in pure survival mode during the course of this pandemic, it’s equally a very important and relevant time to do something positive. For any business that wants to help others, it’s definitely a strong step in the right direction – in fact, we can give you 10 great reasons to sign up.
Lastly, as a successful business owner, is there any advice that you’d give to other businesses right now?
Always look ten steps ahead and consider not only what might be waiting round the corner, but also what might not be! Don’t take anything for granted; running a business is a roller coaster and you should always think long-term.
Triangle Design were the winners of our Business against Poverty Member of the Year Award 2017-18.
Business against Poverty is an accredited membership community. Its members directly support the humanitarian work of People against Poverty – a registered, independent charity that aims to help alleviate poverty and suffering around the world. People against Poverty’s projects are designed to empower greater self-sufficiency, give new hope and build a more sustainable future. Join a movement for change today.
Interview conducted by Ben Veal, Founder of Second Mountain Comms and Trustee for People Against Poverty.
Triangle Design Limited
Jules English and Jim Parry, Bristol & Bath Science Park, Dirac Crescent, Bristol, South Gloucestershire BS16 7FR
0117 244 1870
ETHICAL PLATINUM MEMBER