In conversation with Glenn Leech

In conversation with...

Glenn Leech, Banner CEO

In the second of our ‘In Conversation’ series, we’re excited to interview Glenn Leech, Chief Executive of Banner.

Our questions ranged from the ownership of Banner to wider industry issues such as the Education Act and the long term impact of the pandemic. Glenn’s candid answers are an insightful and positive vision of how schoolwear retailers can prepare for the future.

Q. Banner was recently acquired by new owners— what does that mean for the business and how might it impact retailers?

We’re delighted to have secured new investment partners. The company is owned jointly with them and our leadership team, but from our customers’ point of view, it’s business as usual. What’s most important is that our new investment partners are fully supportive of our existing plans. The senior management team has not changed and neither has our commitment to investing in our service, our products and transforming the sustainability of our operation. Indeed, the commitment to sustainability is strengthened by having a long term partner who shares our vision and values.

Q. Looking at the year ahead, what are the most pressing challenges for the industry as a whole?

I believe there are four main issues to consider:

Firstly, the transition from the pandemic to a ‘new normal’. And I’d emphasise the word ‘new’, for there’s no doubt that expectations have changed and that all of us, from suppliers to schools, have a responsibility to embrace the lessons we’ve learned. Certainly, we are running Banner differently with more focus on colleague mental wellbeing and we have fully embraced hybrid working.

Secondly, the Education Act has rightly highlighted the benefits of uniform, but the reality is that it will also raise the expectations of schools and parents. We must work together to reassure them of the quality and value we offer as an industry.

Thirdly, we can’t ignore the rise in the cost of living. Parents will be more price conscious than ever and suppliers must do everything possible to review their supply chains and manufacturing relationships to manage the inflationary pressures facing the industry.

Finally, while we are emerging from the pandemic in the UK, global supply chains and shipping are still under huge duress and this puts pressure on the all-important back to school service period.

Q. So how will Banner help retailers meet these challenges?

The bedrock of our approach is summed up in Service, Support and Sustainability.

SERVICE - We all know that standards across the whole supply chain have been impacted by external events — this year, we are determined to provide the very best and most reliable service ever.

SUPPORT -Support is about providing our customers with advice, professional materials, marketing literature… the Media Hub was our first step, but we have much more planned. Ultimately, we want to do all we can to strengthen the offer that independent schoolwear retailers can provide to their schools and their communities.

SUSTAINABILITY - And as for sustainability, we’re totally committed to becoming an environmentally sustainable company. That will mean making significant investments, thinking differently and taking bold decisions that are more than marketing hype. For example, by the end of 2022, more than half of all our products will be manufactured from sustainable fabrics and in five-years’ time I want Banner to be the model of how a business can transform for the better.

The rising cost of living is more challenging as we are facing significant inflationary pressures but we have a number of sourcing actions in place and are doing all we can to minimise future price rises.

Q. That’s an ambitious vision; what are the priorities for investment to back it?

Quite simply, they are stock, products, and people.

On stock, we have used our new finance facilities to bring more items into our warehouses, earlier than ever before.

On the product side, we are investing in new and innovative sportswear (watch out for some exciting launches later this year), while transitioning more garments to eco-fabrics. We’re also looking at end to end sustainability, from the yarns and dyes right through to reducing packaging. We’re proud to already have carbon neutral status in all our UK operations and want to smash our target to switch more than half our products to our eco range this year. Our sustainability, operations and design teams are working on this year’s sustainability report, outlining the steps we’re taking to improve Banner’s sustainability performance and a ‘head to toe in eco’ uniform by 2025.

But for all we are product led, it’s our people who deliver the difference. This year we’ll be spending more in training and recruitment and in making Banner a place where colleagues can truly flourish. I want Banner to be a beacon of a company with knowledgeable colleagues, a commitment to outstanding service and working to the highest standards of ethics and enterprise.

“I want Banner to be a beacon of a company with knowledgeable colleagues, a commitment to outstanding service and working to the highest standards of ethics and enterprise. I passionately believe that the Schoolwear industry can become the stand out example in the clothing sector of how sustainability can become the model of good business practice.

Q. Back to School will soon be coming round – what will Banner be doing to ensure it’s one of the best ever?

The feedback from our annual customer survey was very clear.

Our customers want us to invest in stock to improve availability throughout the season. We therefore started planning many months ago to ensure that we have more stock in our warehouses, arriving earlier than ever before. In fact, we have shifted our entire buying cycle forward two to three months to ensure we have the stock you need when you need it. This has been a herculean effort but we believe it will deliver dividends for customers, helping minimise any continuing issues from the pandemic.

Secondly, we’ve recently launched our first Banner Know-How seminar – equipping our retailers with all they need to successfully complete, win and retain school contracts that may be tendered.

The feedback from retailers has been tremendously positive which is a great encouragement to us. We plan to launch more sessions to support retailers on the run up to Back to School.

Q And finally, after 4 years leading Banner, what’s the most important lesson you’ve learned about the schoolwear industry?

That what we do really matters!

Together, we clothe millions of children in quality, durable and modern garments that help them look good, feel great and perform at their best. With all the pressures facing young people today, this is an important contribution to communities across the UK and I’m extremely proud of the difference we make. It also reinforces to me, why as an industry, we must continue investing in our products and service, ensuring uniforms and sportswear are just as relevant in 10 years’ time.

And in pursuing that goal, we have an incredible opportunity to transform for the better the impact of what we do on the environment and the communities we serve. I passionately believe that the Schoolwear industry can become the stand out example in the clothing sector of how sustainability can become the model of good business practice.