VMI is awarded Highly Commended in West London Business Awards 2023

VMI, a has been awarded Highly Commended for Park Royal Business of the Year and named a finalist for Race To Zero Company of the Year in the West London Business awards 2023. The recognition was given in response to the company’s efforts to galvanize the industry around net-zero targets.

VMI was one of twelve companies selected by the Mayor of London’s Better Futures+ sustainability campaign, winning a grant to create a net-zero roadmap and completing a carbon audit. The company’s executives bought into a net-zero plan, committing to replace 80% of their vans with electric vehicles by 2024, installing solar PV panels to all buildings, replacing all lights with LEDs, and installing insulation and reglazing to make the heating system more efficient. They aim to cut emissions by 50% by 2025 and achieve net-zero by 2030.

VMI continue to set the standard with their decarbonisation efforts – true net zero heroes for their industry, Park Royal, and West London!

Judges Comments

VMI completed its second carbon audit in 2022 and was able to demonstrate a 9% reduction in scope 1 & 2 emissions for that year.  It is planning to complete its third audit in March 2023 and have fully offset all emissions to be able to become an Albert-approved fully carbon neutral company from 2022.

The success of these initiatives have given VMI the confidence to plan to extend its solar provision by 300% in 2023, which will generate around 75% of its own power demands in both buildings. A recent audit of VMI’s waste collection confirmed that they had sent no waste to landfill in the past 24 months.

“We are delighted and immensely proud to receive this recognition. We all put a lot of work into driving change around such a vital area and proving that we all can do more. Just as important is the message we hope it sends to the wider film and TV industry that small changes can impact positive good for all and all it takes is the passion and will to do so.”

Barry Bassett, VMI Managing Director

VMI Managing Director, Barry Bassett, has taken this net-zero initiative to the entire UK camera rental industry. Feedback was so positive that VMI created a new sustainability group for rental companies to meet four times a year. The group now has 27 camera rental companies, including ARRI and Panavision, and trade bodies such as Albert and BECTU, who have a sustainability focus.

Bassett said, “We are delighted and immensely proud to receive this recognition. We all put a lot of work into driving change around such a vital area and proving that we all can do more. Just as important is the message we hope it sends to the wider film and TV industry that small changes can impact positive good for all and all it takes is the passion and will to do so.”

The company has also implemented internal sustainability policies, such as sanctioning European business travel by car or train only and giving staff a bonus leave day if they have not flown privately during the previous 12 months.

Bassett said, “It is great to have been recognised for doing what we consider to be the right thing to do. By putting sustainability at the heart of our strategy, every aspect of what we do has changed for the better. Our staff are incredibly proud of what we have achieved, and all of the Managers and Directors have shown great commitment to helping achieve the laudable aim of net-zero in a reasonable time frame.”

VMI’s actions and leadership in driving significant climate reduction measures for the entire UK camera rental industry have been recognised by West London Business. This recognition underscores the importance of businesses leading the charge in environmental sustainability and creating a more sustainable future for all.

VMI’s commitment to achieving net-zero by 2030 is a clear indication of the company’s leadership in environmental sustainability. As the industry continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, VMI’s example of driving practical environmental action is a testament to the fact that positive change is possible with passion and commitment.