Making an Impact Together: Menier Venues and Connection Crew
In today’s world, how we address environmental, social, and governance issues is evolving rapidly, shaping the ways businesses can drive change. For those committed to sustainability, this means establishing long-term, impactful practices that inspire others to follow suit.
Since beginning our partnership, Menier Venues and Connection Crew have made a real difference at each event – through work that goes deeper, generating meaningful social and environmental impact. Menier Venues have offered work that helps to rebuild lives, while Connection Crew has delivered reliable, high-quality crew services.
Sophie Stade Cohn, Managing Director at Menier Venues, highlights this shared value, saying:
“We have been working with Connection Crew for many years now, after an initial introduction from a client. They are reliable, efficient, and helpful, and our team enjoys working with them. The positive ethos and values of the company create a good working environment, which translates to excellent service for us – which we also recommend to others.”
Environmental and social impact are at the core of our collaboration, as both Menier Venues and Connection Crew are dedicated to sustainability in all forms.
A Unique and Personal Approach
Menier Venues was formed in 2017 by Sophie Stade Cohn, who initially began organising photoshoots, filming, and one-off events in unoccupied spaces across London Bridge. These early successes led Sophie to curate permanent spaces for Southwark Square, and in 2020, she became CEO of the property company, overseeing the development of a series of unique event spaces under the Menier Venues name.
Today, Menier Venues is a small, female-led venue group specialising in creating charming, bespoke venues that serve corporate clients in unconventional, non-corporate settings. From wine-tastings to weddings, press days to product launches, Menier Venues offers a diverse range of event solutions. Their attention to detail and personalised approach has earned them a loyal client base, with many guests returning time and again due to the quality of the service and the unique atmosphere created within their beautifully curated spaces.
Charlotte Scotland, Marketing & Data Manager | ESG Champion at Connection Crew, says:
“Stepping into a Menier Venues' building means leaving the world behind, immersing yourself in their vision of beauty, circularity, and — absolutely key — indulging in the warm welcome of their incredible team."
Connection Crew was founded in 2005 as part of the homelessness charity The Connection at St Martin’s, as a way to offer skilled work to people who had been affected by homelessness. Led by Director Warren Rogers, since 2005 we've been providing training and work opportunities in events, TV, film, and wider industries. that help people as they rebuild their lives. Over the years, Connection Crew has grown into a multi-award-winning crewing company and social enterprise, working with a broad range of clients across sectors. We've now supported more than 446 people affected by homelessness, who have collectively worked over 240,000 hours with Connection Crew.
Building a better future, together
For both Connection Crew and Menier Venues, making sustainable choices for people and planet aren’t just “nice to have” – they’re essential. As Living Wage Accredited employers, we're both dedicated to creating more sustainable, positive work environments for all.
Menier Venues’ approach is one of individual flair and care, putting a personal touch on every client experience while consistently leading by example, bringing sustainability into every event they host — no matter how big or small.
Their dedication to the local community, sustainable practices, and positive impact is evident in every aspect of their work, making them a standout example of a business working towards a greener, more equitable future. Initiatives clients can expect from Menier include choosing sustainable, second-hand décor and furnishings, working with responsible caterers and local sustainable restaurants, taking action to reduce carbon emissions, distributing the vast majority of leftover food to the local community through Olio, and offering charitable discounts.
Warren Rogers, Director of Connection Crew, says of Menier Venues:
Menier Venues’ commitment to sustainability and community aligns closely with Connection Crew's. Their eco-conscious events and genuine dedication to positive impact makes them a standout venue partner. Working with them is always a pleasure for our office and crew.
Connection Crew’s commitment to sustainability doesn’t end with generating direct and indirect social impact through our crew (over 25% of whom have been affected by homelessness). We’re also striving for environmental sustainability.
In 2021, we mapped our carbon footprint, launched our Carbon Levy, and with our Net Zero 2030 target in place, began to offset emissions generated by our crew working on site with our clients. We are looking to transition from offsetting to behaviour change in 2024 and beyond. With 100% renewable energy in our offices, food waste composting initiatives, encouraging use of bicycles and public transport, switching to a green pension provider, and more, we're making responsible choices for the planet.
Romy Donjon, Events Assistant at Menier Venues, reflects on this partnership:
“I first worked with Connection Crew two years ago, on one of my initial days as an Event Assistant at Menier Venues, and since then, I've had the pleasure of working with their team many times. We can always count on the crew to be punctual, friendly, and highly efficient. I especially want to thank Stacey and Charlie for consistently accommodating us as much as they can (even our last-minute requests...) Knowing the positive impact the company makes in the lives of many only adds to how amazing they are. We truly cannot recommend them enough.”
(Charlie Marshall and Stacey Neen are key members of the Connection Crew team, managing enquiries, quotes, bookings, and project support.)
What working together means for the events industry
Working with like-minded partners allows Connection Crew and Menier Venues to set a higher standard, showing that events can be both purposeful and sustainable. Simply by working together and delivering a top service for clients, we’re building a future where businesses don’t have to choose between profit and purpose. Since 2022, Menier Venues has generated over 38 hours of work for Connection Crew's Impact Crew - crew who have been affected by homelessness and, through our Carbon Levy, has offset over 343kg of CO2 emissions generated by crew activity.
Whether it’s delivering with reliable, talented crew or bringing sustainable venues to life, with each event, each crew hour, and each kilo of CO2e accounted for, we’re proving that our impact goes beyond the event itself – creating positive change, one partnership at a time.
About the Sustainability in Action Series
Our Sustainability in Action series is dedicated to exploring the impactful partnerships and practices that drive positive social and environmental change. Through these stories, we aim to inspire and educate, sharing how Connection Crew and our clients are setting new standards for sustainability in the events industry. Whether it’s through eco-friendly choices, supporting people affected by homelessness, reducing our carbon footprint, choosing sustainable materials, or reducing food and general waste, each step has the power to make a massive difference.
Follow along as we highlight the people, projects, choices, and practices making a difference for people and planet. We’ll be breaking down the jargon, asking why carbon calculators give such varying answers, doing some general myth-busting, and being transparent about the things that leave even the most seasoned sustainability experts scratching their heads.