APS has been awarded an EcoVadis Gold Medal for sustainability performance, achieving an overall score of 84 out of 100 in its latest assessment. This places us in the top 2% of companies globally, recognizing the strength and maturity of its environmental, social and ethical practices.

EcoVadis is a globally recognized sustainability assessment platform used by organizations to evaluate ESG performance across operations and supply chains. For us, this independent verification plays a key role in our commitment to Trust & Transparency, one of our three sustainability pillars, providing external assurance that our sustainability policies, governance controls and reporting frameworks are robust, credible and effective.

We achieved our strongest scores in the Ethics and Environment pillars, reflecting a long-standing focus on strong governance, responsible business practices and environmental stewardship. These results recognize the practical measures embedded across the organization, including waste management, carbon reporting, ethical risk management and responsible supplier engagement.

Importantly, this year’s EcoVadis Gold medal rating reflects continued improvement and work already embedded within APS, rather than a fundamental change in approach. We have been assessed by EcoVadis for several years and we have recently focused on strengthening governance structures, improving data quality and ensuring consistency in how sustainability performance is measured and reported across the business. The Gold Medal confirms that these efforts are both mature and well-embedded.

Commenting on the achievement, Andrew Young, Head of Sustainability at APS, said:

“EcoVadis Gold is an important validation of the way we operate as a business. It reflects the strength of our management systems and the collective commitment of people across APS to putting sustainability principles into practice. I’d like to particularly recognize the contribution of our HR, Compliance and Supply Chain teams, who have played a key role in cascading the holistic ESG requirements of EcoVadis into their areas of the business.

“We value external assessments like EcoVadis because they give our clients confidence in how we manage sustainability, governance and risk. This independently assured baseline creates more opportunities to work collaboratively with clients on their specific goals and targets. This is where we see our primary role as a trusted and effective partner in sustainable innovation.

“With our score sitting just one point outside the Platinum threshold, our focus for 2026 is to reach that rating while continuing to support client-led sustainability initiatives.”

Read more about using alternative materials in POS and packaging here

We believe in empowering women and championing their success. This International Women’s Day, we’re spotlighting five inspiring women in our business who are driving our industry forward and making more possible every day. We asked women from different areas of our business to share their career journeys, key achievements and the advice they’d give to the next generation of women in their industry.

The theme for International Women’s Day is to #AccelerateAction for gender equality, because at the current rate of progress it will take until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity. Our Gender Pay Gap is currently 12.8%, but we’re continuously working to reduce this through initiatives such as Flexible Working and our Menopause Policy.

“We’re proud to champion the growth and success of women across our business and provide the opportunities they need to continuously thrive.”  Phil Harrison – Group HR Manager

Laura Fox, UK Creative & Content Business Director

What is your career journey like?
I joined APS in the summer of July 2013 as a Digital Account Director with the primary objective of growing our digital client base. In 2016, I was promoted to Client Services Director, and fast forward 8 years from then – I’m now our UK Creative and Content Business Director, responsible for our UK agency client services teams and all client deliverables.

What are your most memorable achievements or projects that have made an impact?
The standout projects from the early years included working on the initial Superdrug loyalty app and supporting on the launch of their Beauty Studio concept store brand/ look and feel. It’s great to see most of what we created still in circulation across their store estate today. I also enjoyed working on the Mitchells and Butlers brands including the rebrand and reinvigoration of O’Neills. More recently we’ve loved working with Magnet Kitchen’s delivering all their trade marketing communications including piloting a new rewards scheme which is exciting.

What would be your best career advice for future generations?
The best career advice I ever received which has always stayed with me is… Don’t be afraid to be curious. Being curious allows us to learn continuously, shows others we’re interested, instils creativity in our thinking, opens new avenues and possibilities and can even bring excitement to daily tasks (even the dull ones).

Maartje van Beek, Creative & Content Business Director for APS Europe

What is your career journey like?
I started as a Project Manager and grew towards Account Manager, Account Director, and Client Services Director at bigger international agencies, eventually becoming Partner at my own advertising agency. For the last 2 years I’ve been responsible for all creative and content for APS within Europe.

What are your most memorable achievements or projects that have made an impact?
Working in advertising, a passion since I was a kid (I used to make New Years Eve Quizzes for the family about slogans, ad music, logos etc, so you can call me a real ad nerd 😉) and still working in advertising with the greatest colleagues and share my passion is my key achievement

What would be your best career advice for future generations?
Women should always be helping other women. Especially when they have the possibility and power to do so. Break the old boys networks, build the new girls network! That’s why…. You should come join me on the Feminist March this Saturday in Amsterdam!

Izabela Luc, International Payroll Officer

What is your career journey like?
I officially started my journey with APS Group in 2007, after working through an agency for 3 months as a Warehouse Operative. I enjoyed the time in our warehouse environment & soon became Goods-In Supervisor where I met so many amazing people and made lifelong friends. During this time I was studying in my own time, and managed to move in the energetic sales Invoicing Solutions team when an role become available. I now work as an International Payroll Officer, looking after our overseas colleagues, alongside the brilliant and vibrant bunch of people in UK and the Netherlands.

What are your most memorable achievements or projects that have made an impact?
My role evolved in so many ways over those years and I’m grateful for all the experiences. From gaining logistics management skills, operating various warehouse trucks, meeting and cooperating with many people across the business to focusing on our sales and then payroll. I truly enjoyed every stage of my career. Every day brings fresh challenges and opportunities to immerse myself in new subjects, expanding my knowledge.

What would be your best career advice for future generations?
Stay positive and always aim to overcome all obstacles. “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!” – Audrey Hepburn 😊

Laura Kay, Marketing & Events Manager

What is your career journey like?
My APS journey started a little unconventionally as I was hired for a brand-new events-based role in January 2020, only for Covid to hit two months later meaning I got furloughed. When I came back my role had changed, and I moved over to the marketing team which led to what I do now which is leading on the three areas of events, CSR and marketing for the public sector side of the business. I’d love to say what my day to day looks like, but every day is so different which is part of the reason I enjoy what I do as it keeps me on my toes!

What are your most memorable achievements or projects that have made an impact?
A big achievement for me is that I started as a coordinator and progressed to Marketing & Events Manager within 5 years. Before my role there wasn’t a structured event plan or CSR calendar so I believe my biggest impact is through implementing those, both in terms of helping to increase brand awareness and also bringing colleagues together.

What would be your best career advice for future generations?
My advice for future generations is to stay open minded to new opportunities and trying new things. You may end up really enjoying doing something you’d never even considered before!

Jessica Rodrigues, Client Services Director for APS North America

What is your career journey like?
I started as a customer service rep. for another managed service provider. I had no idea what I was getting myself into! Working on the largest account the company had at the time, with a small team allowed me to jump into a lot of projects and forced me to learn as I went, and quickly. I started at APS as a Key Account Manager, working on the Philips account. I still work with Philips as the Client Service Director for North America, and help on other accounts, and new business too.

What are your most memorable achievements or projects that have made an impact?
Working with Philips has been the biggest achievement for me.  When I started at APS I was working on the newest and only account for the US, Philips.  We really needed to win the hearts and minds of the stakeholders, and I spent a lot of time travelling to meet with different teams and working onsite to really build those relationships.  We have been able to not only continue working with Philips, but consistently grow with them, and become a trusted partner!

What would be your best career advice for future generations?
Building relationships with colleagues, clients, and vendor partners is so important.  Be flexible and adaptable and don’t be afraid to try new things!

We’re proud to share the diverse career journeys of women across our business, each unique and without we couldn’t deliver the service we do for our clients. We remain committed to accelerating action for gender equality and empowering women at every stage of their careers., not just for today but as a lasting commitment. Together, we’re making more possible.

After successful launches in the US and LATAM, the much-loved streaming service that has delivered countless iconic series and films will now be available to a European audience for the first time, as of 21^st May. We’re thrilled to have partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery on this exciting launch by providing a full end-to-end service for Branded Merchandise products.

From sourcing, compiling and fulfilment, our team delivered large quantities of 39 product types, to 19 different countries to support the launch events.

Darina Cisneros, Marketing Manager at WBD, says: “Working with APS Group has been great – the team are creative and innovative and are very responsive to any queries. They were able to provide exactly what we needed, and the products delighted our audience across all launch activities. Thank you to the team and all involved in making this launch run smoothly.”

Anne-Marie O’Hara, Category Director for Branded Merchandise at APS Group added, “We’re very proud to have supported the European launch for HBO Max and helping them to engage with their new audience! Our partnership demonstrates the ability and expertise of our team to deliver amazing branded merchandise for large-scale events, and we’re very excited to see the partnership with HBO Max continue to grow.”

If you would like to speak to our team about Branded Merchandise, or how we can support your future campaigns, then please get in touch via [email protected].

Last Tuesday marked World Mental Health Day, a time for awareness, education, and advocacy against social stigma. We wanted to find a way to support our colleagues around the globe that would allow them time to focus on self-care and self-expression.

After much planning, the very first APS Wellbeing Week was brought to life through a lineup of free activities and events. The response we had to the initiative has been fantastic, and we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part, shared their creations, and made the week a success!

The week started with sharing our motivational Spotify playlist, which compiled over an hour of songs to help uplift, soothe, and inspire your Monday morning. To listen again, scan the image below in your Spotify app or click here.

On Monday, we also had the first of our two one hour free yoga sessions with Maria Kelly to help release any stress or tension throughout your body and encourage mindful breathing.

Next, we hosted a webinar with Marie-Clare from Sunflower Thinking, who creates hope through safe and positive mental health training. This session was based around mental health first aid and practical ways you can help to support those around you who may be struggling.

Also, throughout the week, fresh fruit hampers were delivered to our offices, and our Graphic Designer, Simon Rhodes, designed several colouring book pages so that staff could engage in a moment of mindfulness and calm.

Lastly, we also held a nature photo competition which was by far the most popular event of the week! There’s so much evidence to show that getting out in nature and being amongst green and blue spaces can positively impact both your mental and physical wellbeing, so we challenged our teams to get outside as much as possible and share the best image from their excursions! It’s safe to say, that not only do our colleagues live in some beautiful parts of the world, but they have a real talent for photography too! Take a look through the submissions below.

Congratulations to Ray Cane from our Cheadle production team who won the nature photo competition with the incredible image of a bumblebee on a sunflower featured at the top of this page.

Again, thank you to all who took part this week and made it a success!