Pouring Purpose Into Every Pint

 

How Shepherd Neame is Brewing a Greener Future

At Shepherd Neame, Britain’s oldest brewer, heritage flows just as freely as the beer. But while the ales remain timeless, the thinking behind the scenes is anything but traditional.

Just ask Paul Williams, the man making sure that when it comes to energy and sustainability, Shepherd Neame doesn’t just go with the flow, it sets the pace.

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An Estate Rich in History... and Complexity

Running more than 300 pubs across the South East, many of them historic, brings unique challenges. Soaring energy prices were putting pressure on profitability, while their bold commitment to reach net zero for Scope 1 and 2 by 2030 added a new layer of urgency.

“It’s not just about keeping the lights on,” explains Paul, Shepherd Neame’s Commercial Finance Director. “It’s about knowing what those lights are costing us - today, tomorrow and for years to come. And making sure we’re investing in tech and infrastructure that genuinely drives long-term change.”

Then there’s the emotional side. People don’t go to pubs for cold efficiency. They go for warmth, comfort and character. Any sustainability strategy has to deliver savings and certainty, without dimming the charm.

Pouring Purpose into People, Pubs and the Planet

 

Launched in 2024, People, Pubs, Planet is Shepherd Neame’s long-term commitment to environmental responsibility and operational excellence, ensuring their pubs remain at the heart of local communities while becoming more sustainable with every pint.

The campaign focuses on three core pillars:

People  Pub  Planet

  • People: Supporting teams and communities through responsible employment, health and wellbeing initiatives and inclusive workplace practices.

  • Pubs: Investing in the preservation and innovation of their 300+ pubs to ensure each remains a cornerstone of its community - accessible, welcoming and increasingly energy-efficient.

  • Planet: Tackling environmental challenges head-on, with ambitious goals to reach net zero Scope 1 and 2 by 2030 and Scope 3 by 2040. From reducing waste to upgrading infrastructure, this pillar is about building a legacy that lasts longer than any barrel.

True’s work plays a key role in this campaign, helping reduce Shepherd Neame’s environmental footprint, protect their estate, and deliver long-term commercial resilience through smarter energy decisions.

What Success Looks Like for Shepherd Neame

With People, Pubs, Planet at the heart of their strategy, sustainability is now woven into the fabric of the business, from the beer in your glass to the tech in the kitchen.

Success means:

  • Delivering energy savings without compromising pub atmosphere

  • Creating safer, more comfortable working environments for kitchen staff

  • Giving finance teams the confidence to plan, even in a volatile market

  • Futureproofing the estate from cellar to ceiling, while keeping pints affordable for customers.

As Paul puts it, “We want to make great decisions that are good for the business and the planet. That means being able to plan, not panic.”

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Turning Ambition into Action

 

That’s where we came in. The partnership between Shepherd Neame and True goes back years, but as market conditions got tougher, the need for sharper strategy and better data became even clearer.

Working with the True platform and our expert team, Shepherd Neame has been able to:

  • Use the Open Performance Fund to buy smarter, saving a massive 82% vs the market average

  • Demystify complex data, turning energy from a cost centre into a strategic asset

  • Integrate procurement with sustainability, using live energy data and ROI modelling to assess everything from LED lighting to induction hobs

  • Plan rollouts with precision, trialling technologies across different pub environments before scaling.

It’s not just about saving kilowatts, it’s about delivering meaningful, measurable change. Martin Godden, Director of Property Services, says “We’re looking at how each technology impacts not just emissions, but comfort, quality and cost. Sustainability, when it’s done right, makes the whole experience better... for our teams and our customers.”

 

The Results 

By combining strategy, insight and technology, Shepherd Neame is well on the way to meeting their net zero targets, all while shielding their pubs from market volatility.

82% saved vs the energy market average.

 

Clearer, more confident budget forecasting.

Better kitchen environments and simpler clean-downs.

 

Measurable progress on Scope 1 and 2 emissions without disrupting the pub experience.

And most importantly, they’ve laid the foundation for ongoing improvements, backed by data and powered by partnership.

 

Paul said “Having True as a partner gives us the confidence to make the right calls not just for today, but for the long term.”

Shepherd Neame isn’t just brewing beer - they’re brewing a greener future.

By taking bold strides on energy, investing in sustainable tech and refusing to compromise on character, they’re showing what it means to pour purpose into every pint.

So the next time you step into a Shepherd Neame pub, just know, that perfectly pulled pint is backed by data, driven by insight and served with a side of sustainability.

Cheers to that.

 

Want to know more about our partnership with Shepherd Neame? Watch this video. 

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