Sheepdrove Eco Conference Centre in Berkshire in the UK, which claims to be the world's greenest conference centre, has recently been assessed for the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GBTS) and immediately achieved their highest rating of Gold.

"Sheepdrove Eco-Conference Centre must be one of the most sustainable venues – it is a shining light in showing how it is possible to bring sustainability to the conference/venue market,” said GTBS senior grader Martin Webb. “The venue has looked at every aspect of running a green conference business and taken steps to ensure that any impacts are minimal. Any delegate coming to the site should be blown away by not only the green-ness of the place, but the excellent and high-quality service on offer."




Green welcome: Delegates enjoy drinks in Sheepdrove's hall

This award is just another example of the centre's dramatic growth and success. Under Russell Downing, the driving force behind the venue’s entry onto the GTBS, the centre has gone from strength to strength, bringing in a plethora of bookings for well known household names, such as Vodafone, Innocent and EON, all looking to align their brand with the centre's superb environmental policies.

To ensure this growth continues in all elements of the business, including the Organic Farm, Meat Hamper Range and Butchers shop, the owner, outspoken environmental campaigner Peter Kindersley, has promoted Downing to a newly created role overseeing all elements of sales and marketing across the whole business.

"The conference centre alone is a unique product, constantly developing and a joy to sell and market,” said Downing. “Adding these new elements to the role with be both challenging and interesting, particularly as we start to expand our offering and work more closely with the likes of Waitrose and other high-street retailers."

For more information about the Green Tourism Business Scheme, visit www.green-business.co.uk