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Our community

We are humbled, privileged and honoured to be saving the planet with the help of amazing people, partners and the communities around us.

David Waite presenting at the Spark to Scale event, hosted by Marks & Clerk
Sharing the Ecobelt story at Spark to Scale, New York Street, Manchester.
Spark to Scale

Supporting the next generation of ambitious businesses.

Success is about more than growing our own business. It is about giving back, sharing what we have learned and helping others on their journey to growth.

Our CEO, David Waite FIMMM, was proud to support the Spark to Scale event, sharing the story of Ecobelt’s founders and our journey so far — including how access to funding has helped fuel our growth, innovation and ambitions. By openly sharing the challenges, the opportunities and the lessons learned, we hope to help other ambitious founders take their next steps.

Thank you to Adam Clayton, Access to Finance Specialist at GM Business Growth Hub, and to Marks & Clerk for hosting at their New York Street offices.

About Spark to Scale

Spark to Scale is an accelerated six-week programme designed to help ambitious businesses move forward with confidence. Combining one full day with five half-day sessions, it brings together learning, expert support, networking and practical guidance — whether the goal is to build a team, enter new markets, secure investment or sharpen strategy.

Building a business can feel like a solitary journey. We know from our own experience that access to the right people, knowledge and support makes a real difference. When we share what we have learned and support one another, we do not just grow individual businesses; we build a stronger, more connected business community.

How this event supports our Global Goals
UN SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic GrowthUN SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureUN SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
See all our SDGs
Community project

Shield Row Allotment Association Community Garden

The Shield Row Allotment Association committee approached Ecobelt for support in getting their proposed Community Garden Project off the ground, and we were delighted to help.

Open to both members and the wider community, the garden will champion sustainable land management, while its produce is free to take away, easing local food budgets where support is needed most.

Designed for all ages and backgrounds, it is a place to relax, connect and get active outdoors, brought to life by experienced volunteers.

Healthy living

Encourages a nutritious diet, time in nature and active wellbeing, with social prescribing through a “Green Gym”.

Space for children

Pupils from Shield Row School gain a dedicated area to learn practical skills and connect with nature.

Grown sustainably

Raised beds, trees, vegetables, herbs and pollinator-friendly planting, built where possible from recycled materials.

Open to all

Structured pathways and secure, accessible routes make the garden welcoming for everyone.

How this project supports our Global Goals
UN SDG 3: Good Health and Well-beingUN SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and ProductionUN SDG 15: Life on LandUN SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
See all our SDGs
David Waite on the Beyond the Business Plan panel at the Festival of Enterprise in Manchester
The “Beyond the Business Plan” panel, Festival of Enterprise, Manchester.
Greater Manchester

Giving back to the business community.

Building a successful business is about more than growth, revenue and results. It is also about contributing to the community around us, sharing what we have learned and helping others navigate the journey.

We were proud to see our co-founder and CEO, David Waite, invited to speak at the Festival of Enterprise in Manchester on Friday 20 February 2026, organised by Elevate and hosted by Ilona Alcock.

Sharing experience, not just success stories

Whether someone was exploring an idea, taking their first steps or already running an established business, the message was clear: you do not have to build a business alone. The support across Greater Manchester is genuinely impressive, particularly through organisations such as GM Business Growth Hub.

David joined the panel “Beyond the Business Plan” alongside Joe van Gelder, Nicola Weedall and Ranvir Singh. The conversation went beyond strategies and forecasts to the reality of building a company — the uncertainty, setbacks, difficult decisions, personal sacrifices and, ultimately, the rewards of persevering.

Paying forward what we have learned

Every business leader benefits from the advice and generosity of people who have gone before them. We have been fortunate to learn from others throughout our own journey, and we believe in paying that forward — including the mistakes, the difficult moments and the things we wish we had known earlier.

It was also a pleasure to meet Yvonne S. and Janine Smith in person, and a particular highlight to catch up with Ian S. Dixon beforehand. These relationships are what make a business community genuinely valuable.

Greater Manchester is built on collaboration rather than competition. As we grow, we want to be contributing to that community rather than simply taking from it — because success is more meaningful when you use what you have learned to help someone else move forward.

How this event supports our Global Goals
UN SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic GrowthUN SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureUN SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
See all our SDGs
Community project

A Forest School pond at Broadoak Academy

In February 2025 we began a new community project, helping to create a wildlife pond for the Forest School at Broadoak Academy.

What started as an overgrown, fenced off plot is being transformed into an outdoor learning space, a place where pupils can get hands on with nature, support local wildlife and learn through the seasons.

How this project supports our Global Goals
UN SDG 3: Good Health and Well-beingUN SDG 13: Climate ActionUN SDG 15: Life on LandUN SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
See all our SDGs
The Ecobelt stand at the Tameside Means Business Net Zero Festival
The Ecobelt stand at the Net Zero Festival, Tameside.
Tameside

Speaking at the Net Zero Festival.

The Tameside Means Business Net Zero Festival brought together businesses and individuals from across the borough, all working towards the same thing — proof that together we can make a real difference.

Our Business Coordinator, Annessy Spencer-Smith, was among the speakers and exhibitors. Annessy supports the commercial rollout of our sustainable material solutions, coordinating the business activity behind AnnStuMax™ — the technology we developed to offer a more environmentally responsible alternative in conveyor belting.

That work sits at the centre of what we are trying to do: challenge the global conveyor belt market and cut the environmental impact of operations wherever we can.

Thank you to the Tameside Means Business team for putting on an event that gave so many businesses a practical route into the net zero conversation — and for the exciting plans ahead to turn it into something bigger still.

How this event supports our Global Goals
UN SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and ProductionUN SDG 13: Climate ActionUN SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Ecobelt branding at the Ioannidia Fundraising Run in Koili
At the Ioannidia Fundraising Run, Koili.
Cyprus

Running for PASYKAF.

We were proud to sponsor the Ioannidia Fundraising Run in Koili, a charity race raising money for PASYKAF — the Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends.

The run is organised by Koili Community Council with the Dinamico Runners Team, in memory of the teacher Ioannis Ioannides. It takes in a 6km race and a 1km run through the village, and welcomes experienced runners and families alike.

Founded in 1986, PASYKAF is one of Cyprus’ most respected non-profit healthcare organisations. Proceeds support its free services and programmes — home-based palliative care, psychological support, prevention and patient advocacy — for people and families affected by cancer across the island.

It is the kind of event we are glad to stand behind: a village, a running club and a community council putting on something that brings people together and raises money for care that families rely on.

Co-organised by PASYKAF, Dinamico Runners Team and Koili Community Council
How this sponsorship supports our Global Goals
UN SDG 3: Good Health and Well-beingUN SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
See all our SDGs
Community sponsorship

Sponsoring Mossley Juniors FC

We are proud to sponsor grassroots football close to home. In December 2024 we helped the young players of Mossley Juniors FC celebrate the season with their Christmas party, an afternoon of indoor football, food and a few gifts.

Backing local clubs like Mossley Juniors is one of the ways we give back, supporting active, healthy and happy futures for the next generation right on our doorstep.

How this sponsorship supports our Global Goals
UN SDG 3: Good Health and Well-beingUN SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
See all our SDGs
Recognition & commitments

Proud to serve.

Having served in the Armed Forces himself, our CTO Craig Spencer-Smith was proud to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, our pledge to those who serve and have served.

Armed Forces Covenant · Proud signatory
Craig Spencer-Smith signing the Armed Forces Covenant
Craig Spencer-Smith signs the Armed Forces Covenant
How this commitment supports our Global Goals
UN SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic GrowthUN SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
See all our SDGs
Partners