2023
ESG
OVERVIEW
Burgess global
Charity work
the Burgess global clean up
At Burgess we believe in what we do. And we believe in doing it to the best of our abilities. Best practice pervades every aspect of our business, and how we approach our impact is no different.
Our company was founded by Nigel Burgess, a renowned solo ocean sailor with an obsessive eye for detail and a love for the sea. We, both collectively and as individuals, are passionate about what we do and seek to share this enthusiasm with our clients and the wider maritime community.
In 2018 a group of us came together to look at the impact of our business and industry, and to put a framework around mitigating that impact – put simply, how we use our business as a force for good. Burgess Blue Oceans was conceived, and we launched into 2020 with our ESG policy.
Our aims? To start the conversation with colleagues, clients and crew on the impact of yachting, and to deliver programmes that have a positive effect on the world around us.
This is our first annual Impact Report. And we are excited to highlight how we, as a business, are working towards a better future. We have a long way to go, but we are proud of these first steps.
Business as a force for good
Explore
Burgess
office
locations
AND STAFF
Los Angeles
4
Miami
19
New York
10
Burgess Blue Oceans is a ground-up initiative run by a core team of Burgess staff across 14 locations worldwide. The team is made up of volunteers with a genuine passion for people and planet, and for leaving the world a better place. The experience and interests of our team are fortunately as diverse as the challenges we face and the solutions we need. From technology and innovation to marine biology and ecology; from regulation and compliance to community outreach and education. Each of us brings our own enthusiasm and area of expertise to the group effort, plus a desire to drive change from within.
THE TEAM
ESG IN NUMBERS
global impact
volunteer projects
£125K+
raised for ocean conservation
2,000+
listens on crew sustainability & wellness poDcast
46
staff through
the mentorship programme
300+
volunteers at
the Burgess global clean up
40
locatIons at
the Burgess global clean up
1
DURATIOn
(weeks)
25
charities
impacted
35
staff volunteering with charities
2
world
records
6
staff
volunteers
2
locatons
worldwide
2
DURATIOn
(weeks)
£58K+
donated through
our charity policy
37,575
KG of Co2 emissions saved by partner Ethereal Blooms
36
Burgess
PARTNERS
AREAS OF IMPACT
Red Cross Moroccan Earthquake
Appeal
City of Ventimiglia Musical Band
Cancer Research (worldwide)
UKSA
Hands Up Foundation, Syria
Breast Cancer
Shake-A-Leg Miami
All Hands and Hearts,
Ukraine Crisis Relief
All Hands and Hearts,
Philippines Typhoon Relief
Blue Marine Foundation
Prostate Cancer UK
Caudwell Children
HODL (Hold On for Dear Life)
and The Ocean Clean Up
No Finish Line
Man Down Cornwall
Cogs4Cancer
Mimosa: A Community Against Cancer
Greenwich Ecological Park
Lymington Harbour Commission
Ecology Centre
Birmingham Friends of the Earth
Trinity House Maritime Charity
The Need Project
Kermesse Oecuménique Monaco
Eastbourne Foodbank
The Salvation Army
Charities impacted
'When a draw was announced inviting volunteers to join the All Hands and Hearts Ukraine Crisis Relief programme in Krakow for week, I didn’t hesitate.
'The All Hands and Hearts Ukraine Relief programme originally started in Przemysl close to the border with Ukraine and focussed initially on providing immediate support to refugees crossing the border in the form of aid packages and building or converting accommodation for them. As the flow of refugees crossing the border slowed the programme moved to Krakow where there is now a large Ukrainian community generally living in very difficult conditions.
'I consider the week I just spent with All Hands and Hearts just an introduction. I am planning to volunteer with them in the future with a primary focus on, but not necessarily limited to, programmes supporting Ukraine.'
Happy World, All Hands and Hearts
Poland, November 2023
CASE STUDY 1:
Happy World
TEAM HODL
CASE STUDY 2:
'Team HODL is an ocean rowing team who in July 2023 rowed from California to Hawaii, setting two World Records. Cutu Serruys, Matt Siely and I rowed 2,800 miles in 38 days 16 hours and 18 minutes, becoming the first ever male trio, and the fastest, to cross the Pacific. Our mission was to set World Records to raise awareness of the Ocean Cleanup's work. The Ocean Cleanup Charity is on a mission to rid the world's oceans of plastic. Burgess is integral to this mission by supporting and promoting Team HODL's message. 71 percent of the world's surface is covered by our oceans. Ocean health is vital to the future of our planet. This is a strong belief that Team HODL and Burgess share and we are passionate about safeguarding them. Going forward, Team HODL will be rowing across the Atlantic Ocean in 2025.'
Team HODL (Hold On for Dear Life)
June/July 2023
'I volunteered at Greenwich Peninsula Ecological Park in London this year, which was a fantastic experience. The park is a biodiverse urban wetland, which is carefully managed by park wardens and a team of dedicated volunteers to maintain its delicate balance of habitats, which play host to many different wildlife species. The park is open to the public, so not only does it help the environment it also provides a green social space for local communities. During my time with the charity, I was put to work coppicing, snedding and processing brash – all essential tasks to prepare the park for the season ahead. I learnt some fantastic new skills, met some amazing people and learnt more about the city I call home – plus I left with a great sense of achievement, like I really gave back to the planet. Volunteer days at the park only take place during the week, so if it wasn’t for the Burgess Charity Policy, I would never have been able to give my time to such a worthwhile cause!'
Charity Days: Greenwich Ecological Park
January 2023
Charity Days
CASE STUDY 3:
Burgess Blue Oceans
Burgess Partnership Scheme
Blue Marine Foundation
Oceana
Spotify – Burgess Yacht Crew podcasts
ISWAN – International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network
She of the Sea
partners & useful links
Discover more about some of the groups and causes we are supporting, together with in-house projects and programmes and Burgess Blue Oceans itself.
Download the full report
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE FULL PDF
Download
Impact Report 2023
London
138
Monaco
55
Palma
4
Italy
1
Athens
8
Dubai
2
Asia
4
Australia
1
All Hands and Hearts
Caudwell Children
UKSA
London2Monaco bike ride
HODL
Ethereal Blooms
OeShun – Marine Safe Sunscreen