Chamber conversations: Daniel Hanna from Auditel UK Ltd
At Business West, we’re proud to support a diverse network of businesses and organisations – from ambitious start-ups to established firms and charities – all working to make our region stronger and more connected.
This month, in recognition of Plastic Free July and World Nature Conservation Day, we’re shining a spotlight on one of our Chamber Members whose work is helping businesses reduce their environmental footprint and operate more sustainably. We’re proud to feature Auditel (U.K.) Limited as our Chamber Member of the Month, recognising their commitment to carbon solutions, cost efficiency, and responsible procurement.
Please introduce yourself and tell us about your role at Auditel. What does a typical day look like?
My name is Daniel Hanna, and I am a partner in the Auditel network of cost, procurement and carbon solutions specialists. We work with organisations and businesses, helping them to reduce their costs and carbon emissions and preparing them for the net zero age in a potential self-funding way.
Too often ‘sustainability’ is viewed purely as a cost, so I do spend a good proportion of each day in conversations with potential clients discussing the link between reducing their business emissions and reducing their business costs. Use less of something and, generally speaking, it is going to cost less.
A unique strength of Auditel is our ability to unlock savings across a range of indirect cost areas, such as:
- Energy and utilities
- Waste and recycling
- Print and packaging
- Transport and fuel
- Facilities and maintenance
Often, these savings can fund sustainability initiatives, creating a cost-neutral or even cost-positive route to net zero.
As for client project work, no two days are the same. This week, I have been working on a solar project for a care home in Birmingham and a carbon footprint report for a multi-site organisation in Gloucestershire. In both cases, the devil is in the details, particularly in the carbon footprint report, but because Auditel works to both high internal standards and exacting external standards (ISOs, for example), I can deliver these projects with depth, accuracy and transparency, and with confidence.
Can you tell us more about what Auditel does, where it is based, and how your work supports sustainability goals in the local and wider business community?
Auditel is a UK-wide network of cost, procurement and carbon specialists. We work with organisations of all sizes to help them:
- Reduce operational costs through better procurement
- Deliver sustainable procurement strategies
- Achieve net zero or reduce their carbon footprint in a practical, measurable, and commercially viable way
Auditel is not a traditional consultancy. We operate as a collaborative network of independent specialists, each bringing specific expertise in different cost categories, industries, or carbon management disciplines. This model ensures clients get deep knowledge and tailored support for their unique needs.
Whether working locally or nationally, sustainable procurement forms a key part of the work we do with clients. Typically, we will help clients switch to lower-carbon suppliers or services (e.g. waste management, energy, logistics); implement supplier engagement strategies to drive sustainable behaviour throughout their value chain; and embed ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria into tendering and contract management processes.
This ensures that every pound spent by a business contributes to its wider sustainability objectives, thereby benefiting the entire community.
With environmental impact in the spotlight this month, how does your business help clients reduce their plastic usage, carbon emissions, or contribute to nature conservation more broadly?
The reduction of carbon emissions is central to a lot of the work I do, and all of this work comes back to measurement. As Peter Drucker said:
“If you can’t measure it you can’t improve it.”
But, of course, the measurement needs to be detailed, meaningful and accurate.
Our carbon footprint report covers Scopes 1, 2, and 3. Broadly speaking:
Scope 1 covers direct emissions from sources that the organisation owns or controls directly.
Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from energy - greenhouse gas from purchased electricity, heat, steam, or cooling that the organisation or business consumes.
Scope 3 covers other indirect emissions in the value chain - all other indirect emissions not covered in Scope 1 or 2, which occur upstream and downstream in the value chain, including but not limited to:
- Purchased goods and services
- Capital goods
- Fuel, and energy-related activities not already captured
- Upstream and downstream transport & distribution
- Waste generated from operations
- Business travel, employee commuting
- Use and end-of-life treatment of sold products, leased assets, franchises, and investments
Scope 3 is the most difficult to measure (and often avoided), and yet on average 80% or more of a business’s emissions will fall under Scope 3. Our commitment to measuring a client’s Scope 3 carbon emissions ensures that optimal emission reduction is possible.
How long have you been a member of Business West Chambers of Commerce, and what prompted you to join?
I am in my second year of membership of Business West. I joined the Bath Chamber because, although I lived overseas for a long time, I am Bath born and bred and wanted to be an active member of the local business community when I returned to live here a few years ago.
I attended a couple of introductory Chamber events and was impressed by the warm and open welcome I was given both by Business West staff and members, and joined soon after.
What has been most valuable to you as a Business West Chamber Member?
Three things: information; support and community; new business.
Information: There is a wealth of Business West research available. I often refer to it. And as an organisation, Business West is across everything that is going on in the region – there is so much going on across the South West, and being a member of Business West allows me to tap into that.
Support and Community: Business West staff are at the end of the phone or an email away and have a wealth of knowledge. They are also good for a friendly chat! And I get a real sense of support and community from other Business West members.
Business: There is no denying that Business West has been good for new business, both directly with people I have met myself and via referrals from Business West itself, or other members.
Finally, what advice would you give to a business thinking of becoming a member of Business West Chambers of Commerce?
Do it! Jump in, get involved.
Speak to Business West staff about how they can help your business, and about any issues you are currently facing – if they can’t help you, they almost certainly know someone who can.
And get to as many networking events as you can. You will learn a lot about the business community that surrounds you, where there might be business opportunities for yourself, but also more importantly (I think), opportunities to help others. It is how the business community grows for the benefit of all.
Join the Chamber and make connections that matter
Whether you’re a charity, SME, or multinational company, Business West Chamber of Commerce is here to help you connect, grow and thrive. By becoming a Chamber member, you gain access to:
- A vibrant network of businesses
- Networking and profile-raising opportunities
- Local influence and business representation
- Dedicated support from our expert teams
To find out more about becoming a Chamber member, click here. And if you are already a Chamber member and would like to be featured in a blog just like this one, then please get in touch with Amy.