Championing Sustainability: NFFF Regional Director, John Lavery Joined Small Business Leaders at Willow Review Launch

John Lavery, Northern Ireland Regional Director at the National Federation of Fish Friers and owner of Fish City in Belfast, recently travelled to London to attend the launch of the Willow Review, an initiative of Small Business Britain. The event, held at the Caledonian Club, was co-chaired by Michelle Ovens CBE, founder of Small Business Britain, and Nick Stace OBE, Global Head of Sustainability Engagement for Barclays, and brought together small business leaders from across the UK to highlight the growing financial benefits of sustainability and how it can be scaled to support more businesses. As a representative of the fish and chip sector, John’s presence signified the increasing relevance of sustainable practices in traditional food sectors such as fish and chips, which have been for decades an integral part of our local communities.

The Willow Review, an independent, government-backed initiative, emphasises how sustainability is helping small businesses reduce costs, grow revenue, and build resilience. The report details the results of surveys of over 400 small businesses, focus groups, and case studies, highlighting the clear commercial opportunities for small businesses, and providing 14 actionable recommendations for government, financial services, and SMEs. Fish City was highlighted as a real-world example of how investing in sustainability can improve profitability, enhance customer loyalty, and future-proof a business. John’s contributions to the final report helped spotlight the fish and chip industry’s potential to lead in this space, especially given the significant challenges the industry faces with rising fish prices and operating costs.

During the event, John met with key government figures including Gareth Thomas, Minister for Small Business and Trade, and Kerry McCarthy, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. These conversations reinforced the importance of the fish and chip industry in the wider sustainability conversation. For small businesses operating on narrow margins, sustainability is more than just an ethical choice; it can be a financial lifeline.

The Willow Report is available to read at willowreview.com/report