Maria Connolly
Top 50 UK law firm becomes exclusive legal partner for ‘the world’s greenest football club’.
A new partnership deal has been announced between Forest Green Rovers (FGR) and top 50 UK law firm TLT, making it the exclusive legal partner for the League Two Club for its 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons.
Described by FIFA as ‘the greenest football club in the world’, FGR is the first and only vegan football club and the first to be certified as carbon neutral by the United Nations. The club itself is powered by 100% green energy, some of which is generated on-site through solar panels, and overall has reduced its emissions by nearly 30% (through the 2018/19 season).
The club is currently building a brand-new stadium called Eco Park, which promises to be the greenest football stadium in the world once completed. Their current home – The innocent New Lawn in Stroud – features sustainable, pesticide-free grass; rainwater collection for pitch irrigation; and electric car charging points, among other environmentally friendly features. As part of the partnership, TLT will have on-site branding, both in the stadium and at the Club’s offices. The firm will also be offering pro bono support to the FGR community and fellow partners in relation to driving towards common sustainability goals in business, in the community and at home.
The new partnership with Forest Green Rovers is part of TLT’s wider strategy around and in support of sustainability. As part of this effort, TLT recently announced a partnership with Carbon Intelligence to undertake a comprehensive business review and develop a roadmap for the firm to become a net zero emissions organisation by 2025. TLT is one of the leading advisors to the Clean Energy sector in the UK, having worked on some of the UK’s first onshore wind farms and supported the deployment of over 15GW of renewable generation assets.
Henry Staelens, CEO of Forest Green Rovers, said: “As the Club continues to grow commercially across existing and new frontiers, having an astute, well-rounded legal partner is important … and TLT are just that. Add their zero emissions roadmap into the mix, and it was clear to us that they were perfect for this partnership”.
Maria Connolly, Partner and TLT’s Executive Board member responsible for sustainability, commented: “It’s a privilege to be the exclusive legal partner for Forest Green Rovers, a pioneer when it comes to sustainability in sport with an outstanding track record of tackling environmental issues while climbing the footballing pyramid. The club is an inspiration for all types of businesses – showcasing the need to be bolder and more entrepreneurial in driving a more sustainable economy. By demonstrating clearly the role we all need to play in combatting climate change and environmental degradation, Forest Green Rovers help illustrate how going green can be a key competitive advantage. We’re thrilled to support the club as it continues to drive forward its sustainability plans and achieve its future success, on and off the field.”
