Palm oil, deforestation, water pollution, animal testing, chemical fertilisers, and pesticides. Just some of the ethical issues facing people in the cosmetics industry. Not so for new Good Energy customer Tracey Robinson. Vert PR, the agency she founded in 2008, is dedicated to promoting green and natural beauty and lifestyle brands.

Having spent 12 years at one of the UK’s most successful consumer agencies, it was a trip to Australia about a decade ago that inspired her to do something different. “They were well ahead of the game in terms of being aware of natural ingredients and are very committed to looking after their environment. The people I met, the owners of companies that were really paving the way for the natural and organic beauty sector that hadn’t yet developed in the UK, rubbed off on and inspired me. When I came home I was so much more aware of the products I use on a day-to-day basis – both food and skincare – and was shocked at the amount of synthetic components they contained. I tried to reduce my dependency on these types of products and it turned into a new type of lifestyle. The more I got involved as a consumer the more I wanted to get involved as a professional.

“For me, PR is all about conviction so it’s really important for me to align my personal beliefs with my professional activities. I realised I had a choice. I could strike off on my own and give a voice to products that really float my boat, or I could carry on with what I was doing.”

Choosing the former option has certainly served Tracey well so far having worked with brands including pioneering natural skin care brand lavera, luxury spa range Pinks Boutique and eco-friendly baby care line, Pure Beginnings. She was voted into the industry’s Top 20 ‘Who’s Who in Natural Beauty’ list last year – alongside Simon Ford, the brand manager of another Good Energy customer Melvita – and is hoping to make a repeat appearance this year. Voting’s open so head to the Yearbooks’ website to make sure your voice is heard before August 12^th.

Switching to Good Energy’s 100% renewable electricity isn’t the only thing that ensures Vert PR is walking the walk as well as talking the talk. Ground and air source heat pumps provide Tracey’s home and office with hot water and heating while a rainwater harvesting system supplies her with much of the water she uses on the premises.