Giving feels better than winning - Elliot Brown Watches
19 Feb 2019
As a waterman running an action sports brand (Animal) in the 90’s, we approached Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), the water clean-up charity. They made a real difference to the UK’s coastal water quality. SAS are currently mobilising entire communities to become plastic free in addition to their work around beach cleans and ocean awareness. We produced a range of co-branded watches and clothing and became one of their largest supporters. It was a virtuous marriage that lasted beyond my time with the business.
After setting up Elliot Brown, our salesman Ian Broad struck a relationship with Mountain Rescue England & Wales (MREW). Producing highly durable watches was a good fit because the teams naturally select best of breed equipment. There was a meeting of minds and of brand ethos and our first Elliot Brown charitable watch project soon launched to considerable acclaim, in the media and with customers. The MREW special edition watch sells for £385 on a Honister slate display and so far, we’ve donated £14,000 and double that amount by way of discounted purchases that MREW team members are entitled to. Hundreds of them rely on our watches in the worst of conditions, they are the best advocates we could have AND the charity benefits - it's a win-win and to date is the only charitable work we have publicised until Simon Forrester asked if we would share a few thoughts.
I struggle to find words to describe the depth of feeling we have developed with them and what it's like to simply be able to help in some way.
Ian Elliot, Co-Founder
Being on the edge of Poole Harbour and next door to the Royal Marines base, we struck up a relationship with them (we all drink in the bar in our boat yard) and soon our first military special edition watch became a reality. So far, via that project has raised a six-figure sum for one military charity and has seen versions of special edition watches fetching north of £12k for the charity at special events. We’re now members of that charity and help where we can, including business mentoring with a quadriplegic marine who was shot through the neck, and helping the CEO. I struggle to find words to describe the depth of feeling we have developed with them and what it's like to simply be able to help in some way.
Such relationships run deeper than just business - they’re personal and fulfilling.
Ian Elliot, Co-Founder
Word about our watches spread fast within military circles and we have gone on to complete dozens of special projects with military groups, the Fire Brigade, security services and others. From each project we put aside at least 10% of the retail value of all the watches sold and ask the project sponsor which charity they wish to become the benefactor of for our combined efforts. It surprises people, but it feels like the right thing to do; it has become something of a talking point, causing introductions to national charities with whom we get involved where resources allow. (UNICEF benefitted from the No. 1 Clipper Round the World Race watch gifted for an auction). As a result of one project, we were selected as the first British watch company in 13 years to produce a government ‘issued' dive watch complete with NATO stock number. Being benevolent wasn’t part of our business plan but as it turns out it has its up sides! When you have the choice of how and who you conduct your business with, we all naturally err towards like-minded individuals with whom there’s a connection. Such relationships run deeper than just business - they’re personal and fulfilling. One connection we still reflect fondly of is Surfers Against Sewage (SAS).
It’s a necessity, we all feel it and are naturally compelled to act and do things without it becoming a policy.
Ian Elliot, Co-Founder
At the Recent Kendal Mountain Festival, the CEO of Iceland and SAS gave a compelling talk around the use of plastics, that really struck a chord. Their mobilisation of communities is powerful, but I felt like a bystander. The week after I happened upon a social media post about a local beach clean as part of the SAS campaign and felt compelled to get involved. I mentioned it to my colleagues but just in passing - nothing more was said. They showed up too, complete with wellies and flasks of tea. The mountain of rubbish required a digger and large trailer to remove / recycle but it's the lasting impression of taking part that has left its mark on us. No longer is it a chore to tear the windows out of junk mail envelopes so that the paper can be recycled - it’s a necessity, we all feel it and are naturally compelled to act and do things without it becoming a policy. It's a way of being and it’s in us.
We’re definitely not environmental campaigners, nor are we natural philanthropists, but I can't begin to describe how it feels to get involved, even just a little. We all feel it. We’ve had to buy new DJs and bow ties to attend royal receptions and charity events, and as our relationships deepen with some incredible people, we feel stronger and more complete as a small team.
When you get the chance or the offer to get involved, no matter how small the commitment, don’t think it’s ok for others to do it - do it yourself, you won’t regret it.
Ian Elliot, Co-Founder Elliot Brown Watches
Ian Elliot, Co-Founder Elliot Brown Watches