Enamel Picnic Plate

Growing up in Scotland, Talking Tables founder Clare Harris enjoyed the creativity of hosting, setting a table, and getting the table talking. Always wanting to run her own company, Clare took the plunge in 1999 after 15 years in corporate sales.

"That desire to bring people together still lies at the heart of the company," she says, but "it's not just about making great party pieces for us. Sustainability has long been core to what we do, we know our customers want to party like there is a tomorrow. We are very mindful of our materials." The company uses FSC products and uses Better Cotton Initiative suppliers, and has pioneered plastic-free, single-use packaging.

"Our social impact is equally important to our environmental one," says Clare. "So community is paramount; whether that being organizing get-togethers for the elderly in our locale, or our staff having two paid volunteering days to give back to causes that are important to them."

The company became a fellow B Corp in September 2022. Summing up what that means to her? "Being a B Corp is about being transparent with our customers about how we are doing, and honest about the challenges."