Launch of the Marks & Spencer MBA Sustainable Retailing Challenge

Leading sustainable retailer Marks & Spencer and the Doughty Centre for Corporate Responsibility at Cranfield School of Management are delighted to announce the launch of the 2012 M&S Sustainable Retailing Challenge. The competition offers MBA students from Europe’s leading business schools the chance to win £5,000 and the opportunity to present to a prestigious panel of judges.

The Doughty Centre for Corporate Responsibility is running the competition in partnership with M&S which has a target to become the world’s most sustainable major retailer by 2015. In the coming months, teams of MBA students from across Europe will compete over three stages to determine which five MBA teams will get through to the London final in April 2012.

Richard Gillies, Director of Plan A, CSR and Sustainable Business at Marks & Spencer said: “This is a very exciting development and it will better prepare the students for what lies ahead in their career. Sustainability issues are going to be right at the top of the ‘to do’ list for the next generation of business leaders and by sharing knowledge, ideas and expert views, we can learn to innovate and challenge ourselves more. I can’t wait to meet the students and get started.”

As well as being a powerful learning experience, finalists will also benefit from the opportunity to network with senior business executives from M&S who will be mentoring students at the final, alongside leading sustainability experts from the world of business and academia. At each stage of the competition, MBA students will be required to apply what they have learnt about sustainable business through the completion of a series of tasks that focus on social and environmental issues faced by retailers today.

Professor David Grayson CBE, Director of the Doughty Centre for Corporate Responsibility said: “We are delighted to be collaborating with M&S on this unique competition which is not only a powerful learning experience for MBA students but also an opportunity to showcase their abilities and exchange ideas on sustainability issues with very senior executives at M&S.”

The first stage requires teams to submit 500 words or a three minute video presentation in response to this brief: “What is better for the environment, people, communities and business: sourcing roses for sale in the UK from Kenya or from the Netherlands and why? How would you measure the impact of each on profits, planet and people?” The deadline for submissions is 13:00hrs on 15 November 2011. Teams with the best submissions will be shortlisted for the second stage of the competition.

For further details about the 2012 M&S Sustainable Retailing Challenge visit www.mandssrc.com.

Ends

Notes to editors

Cranfield School of Management is one of Europe’s leading university management schools renowned for its strong links with industry and business. It is committed to providing practical management solutions through a range of activities including postgraduate degree programmes, management development, research and consultancy.   www.som.cranfield.ac.uk

The Doughty Centre for Corporate Responsibility at Cranfield School of Management works to empower current and future managers with the knowledge, skills, and desire to lead responsible, sustainably managed organisations. www.doughtycentre.info

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Emily Reed, Media Relations Office, Cranfield School of Management on:  T: +44 (0) 1234 754348 or E:  emily.reed@cranfield.ac.uk

Plan A is Marks & Spencer's eco and ethical programme which aims to make M&S the world's most sustainable major retailer by 2015. Launched in 2007 and extended in March 2010, it takes a holistic approach to sustainability focusing on involving customers, involving all areas of the business and tackling issues such as climate change, waste, raw materials, health and being a fair partner.

Further information

Marks & Spencer

Daniel Himsworth 0208 718 1618

daniel.himsworth@marks-and-spencer.com