How Freddie’s Flowers found their long-term fractional sustainability lead on Leafr

Overview

‍
Freddie’s Flowers, the subscription-based florist known for its eco-friendly ethos and B Corp certification, needed expert guidance to refine their sustainability strategy and strengthen their environmental reporting. Lacking capacity for a full-time hire, they turned to Leafr to find a flexible expert who could lead their sustainability work end-to-end—and ended up with a trusted fractional partner who stayed with them for over a year.

Challenge

Freddie’s Flowers had clear sustainability goals, but lacked the internal resources to drive them forward. They weren’t in a position to bring on a full-time Head of Sustainability and had found that working with larger consultancies added too much to their cost. What they needed was someone who could roll up their sleeves, guide internal change, and navigate the complex demands of certifications, reporting, and operations.

Solution  

Using Leafr, Freddie’s Flowers quickly found a sustainability expert with a rare blend of strategic insight and hands-on experience in both top-tier consultancy and consumer goods. The consultant led the update of their 2023 sustainability report, ran a comprehensive audit, and helped build a tailored, future-fit strategy. They also supported investor reporting, B Corp recertification, and regulatory alignment—all in a part-time capacity that suited the business.

Results

The partnership was so effective that what began as a short-term project grew into a fractional leadership role lasting more than a year. This model proved far more effective and cost-efficient than ongoing consultancy retainers—delivering both flexibility and consistency.

- Long-term fractional leadership: What started as a project turned into a year-long engagement, with the expert becoming Freddie’s fractional Sustainability Lead.
- Strategic clarity and execution: The consultant led the sustainability audit, strategy development, and B Corp reportingreadiness, bridging vision with day-to-day implementation.
- Cost-effective expertise: Freddie’s avoided costly retainers and gained direct, actionable support that delivered more value than their previous consultancy engagement.
- Tailored fit: The expert’s background in both consulting and brand-side sustainability meant they hit the ground running and integrated seamlessly with the team.

Conclusion  

Freddie’s Flowers needed more than a strategy: they needed an expert who could embed sustainability into the fabric of the business. Leafr made it easy to find the right person, fast. The result: a high-impact partnership that delivered strategic direction, operational change, and long-term value, without the overhead of a full-time hire or traditional consultancy model.

‍