LUBS and Co-op Student Team Sustainability Challenge 2023

The challenge

Students went head-to-head in the Maurice Keyworth Boardroom on 12 May, competing to be the winners of the 2023 LUBS and Co-op Business Sustainability Challenge. This annual event sees teams undertake research and analysis to a business brief supplied by the Co-op, before presenting their findings and taking questions before a panel of judges.

The competition is an incredible opportunity for students to both develop and highlight their sustainability knowledge, research and communication skills – all within the context of collaborative problem solving with an industry-leading organisation.

This year, the Co-op set a brief on the theme of “sustainability performance” across their franchise network. Teams were assessed on the strength of their analysis, their ability to inspire through communication, and for innovative suggestions for sustainable business practices.

There was a great response to the call for participants, with over 70 postgraduate and undergraduate students signing up to compete. Seven teams were shortlisted to present their work before the judges.

The judging panel

• Stephen Thompson, Head of Sustainability at Co-op

• Claire Booth, University of Leeds Sustainability Service

• Sally Chan, Lecturer in Marketing and University Blueprint Champion

The teams

• Econexus

• Ecowarriors

• The Green Geeks

• Green Horizon

• Make a Difference

• Green Guardians

• Ecomaniacs (unfortunately, illness prevented this team attending)

The results

Each of the teams performed exceptionally well on the day, and the depth of thought and research that had gone into their work was clear to see. Each team brought a unique approach to the brief, with proposals ranging from high-tech solutions to community-level outreach activities. The panel had a challenge of their own in selecting a winner from such a strong line-up. In the words of Sally Chan:

"I was staggered by the quality of the teams... from the quality of the visual aids to the level of creativity that went into each presentation. Each team had a different take on the brief, and it was great to see UG and PG students working together

Once each team had delivered their presentation and responded to questions from the panel, it was time for the judges to confer and make their decision. Meanwhile, the teams were able to ease the suspense by enjoying a vegan buffet and some fresh air on the roof terrace.

So, who emerged as winners on the day? Without further delay, we present our victorious runners-up, and overall winners...

Judges decision - the runners up

Though all the teams made an impressive contribution to the event, the judges made special mention of The Green Guardians and their suggestions for ways franchises could lower energy usage and emissions.

Judges decision - the winners!

Despite the quality of research on display, there can be only one victor, and after much deliberation the judges were unanimous in their decision to declare EcoNexus as the overall winners of the 2023 LUBS and Co-op Student Team Sustainability Challenge! Team EcoNexus (Hamzeh Qaraman, Kaif Shaji and William Chadwick) delivered a very confident and compelling presentation which emphasised the importance of encouraging individual franchises to make, and report upon, sustainable business decisions at the local level.

Huge congratulations go to EcoNexus for their well-deserved win. Going by the words of team member Kaif Shaji, the challenge was a chance to further develop their business acumen as well as their sustainability knowledge:

"A key takeaway for me personally from the challenge is realising the significance of strategic advantage. And this is achieved by thinking differently and coming up with creative solutions to stand apart"

Final Thoughts

A massive thanks to all those who applied to take part in this year's event, with special consideration for those teams who made it to the final and made such an amazing impression on all who were present. Your hard work and brilliant ideas not only impressed the judges, but have provided the Co-op with a wealth of perspectives which have the potential to have a real-world impact on the business practices of a major UK company. Stephen Thompson, Head of Sustainability at Co-op certainly agrees with this sentiment:

This insight will help crystalise my thoughts around how sustainability aspects could or should be wrapped into the Co-op Master Franchise Agreement in the years to come.

So that's the challenge over for another year, but keep an eye out for it's return in 2024. Perhaps you could be on the next winning team! In the words of EcoNexus team member William Chadwick:

If you're up for a critical challenge that will test all of your business skills, then look no further.

And don't forget, if you want to deepen your own skills and knowledge in the fields of sustainability and climate change - sign up today for the free Climate Action Training available to all LUBS students.