Fairtrade fortnight launches today and one has to applaud the good work that has been done by this organisation particularly in getting the supermarkets onboard and for ensuring that they pay fair prices.

Buyers for large companies wield an extraordinary amount of power over suppliers. They are highly trained negotiators and I speak from experience as I worked in various senior buying roles in the fashion industry for many years. I've lost count of the number of courses I've attended over the years to finely hone my negotiating skills!
I have witnessed some shoddy treatment of suppliers during the course of my career but I always viewed my relationships with suppliers as partnerships and it was always very important to me to ensure that the supplier was left with a good working margin and a fair deal (win, win as they called it on the courses!). For me it was really important to create a sustainable relationship with my suppliers and fairness is something I value highly.

Trading fairly is at the very heart of our business. Owning our own farms means that there is a short journey from our farms to our customers and, on our Kenyan farm, we are Gold members of the Kenya Flower Council and adhere to strict rules governing pay, health and safety, staff welfare etc.
Provenance is so important in everything we buy, whether it's clothing, chocolate, fruit or flowers. Knowing that it's been produced responsibly, ethically and sustainably regardless of whether it's produced in the UK or overseas is the key.

Gladys in the packing shed on our Kenyan farm.