Ian Jones: why environmental and fiscal sustainability go hand in hand

At Right Digital Solutions, ‘sustainability’ is much more than just a buzzword – it’s a guiding principle woven into the fabric of our business. This commitment, long championed by our Managing Director Ian Jones, goes beyond internal practices to inspire our clients toward a more sustainable future.

For Ian, sustainability is a leadership philosophy. His vision drives RDS to embrace environmentally conscious practices while ensuring we align seamlessly with fiscal responsibility.

This approach forms the foundation of our strategy, creating ripples across the business – from the DNA of our team to the solutions we deliver to our customers. We’re proud to integrate sustainability at every level of our operations, exemplified by our ISO 14001 accreditation, which highlights our adherence to global environmental management standards. This commitment extends to our supply chain, where we work exclusively with partners who share our principles.

By choosing suppliers with Blue Angel or White Swan certifications (or equivalent), we ensure that the products we offer meet the highest sustainability criteria.

Ian’s leadership encapsulates the belief that businesses don’t have to choose between the environment and the bottom line – they can achieve both. To explore his vision further, we sat down with Ian to discuss sustainability, leadership and the future of workspace technology.

Q: Why is sustainability more than just a buzzword at RDS?

A: “RDS has made sustainability an integral part of our strategy for how we operate our business and the products and services we provide to our customers. We are not governed by how many nor which products we sell, our philosophy is focused on matching solutions with needs.
“As a 100% management-owned business, we fully understand the impact we have on our stakeholders and we’re able to carve out a path which will positively impact those stakeholders.”

Q: How does RDS make sustainability integral to its services?

A: “As an ISO14001 business and a member of Sustainability West Midlands, we have proactively reduced our CO₂ footprint, through building efficiencies and reduced travel. We’ve also introduced EV vehicles. We’re currently working on installing solar panels at our Birmingham hub. This will help us make great strides towards achieving our goal of Net Zero by 2030.

“We have instigated strategies to reduce journeys. Our service team proactively manages device alerts, pre-empting failure, so – as much as possible – we can avoid having engineers driving to breakdowns, this has improved daily efficiency by 20%. It also provides a better, more reliable service to our clients.

“We provide carbon offset printing through Papercut Grows and Print Releaf. Also, all our customers have access to a deep dive on how we reduce print output and implement other energy-reducing strategies, through our TechCheck+ service.”

Q: How do remanufactured devices play a role in RDS’ sustainability strategy?

A: “We believe this is a growing opportunity! We employ a three-pronged approach at RDS:

“Firstly, extending the life of a product or sourcing a remanufactured product offers significant benefits, such as a positive reduction in CO₂, typically 600kg per device, which can be amortised over 8 to 10 years rather than the historical 4 or 5 years.

“Secondly, because we are independent of any particular manufacturer, we are able to choose from the best in class. This is not just for the features and specifications, but also in terms of the serviceability. That’s the key to ensuring a product can last, we believe for 10 years. Manufacturers need to be engaged with this shift in expectation! Customers are now demanding more sustainable solutions.

“The third element is working collaboratively to reduce print output. Reducing the amount of paper and energy used for print has a great impact.”

Q: What have you seen as the biggest barriers for businesses trying to adopt sustainable tech practices?

A: “Concerns over longevity. Will it last? Will it be able to have the latest and cyber secure applications? Are the savings sufficient over the long term? With RDS, the answer to all those questions is ‘Yes’.”

Q: What practical advice would you give to businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint without increasing costs?

A: “We firmly believe sustainability should not carry a premium price tag. So, you should start with a simple audit. Catch the low hanging fruit of low-cost changes which have a ROI within 2 or 3 years. There are lots of basic crib sheets on the web about doing this – or you can just talk to us.

“There’s a plethora of programmes underway to support solar, heating upgrades and other building improvements. Work with your landlords on the larger projects. Ensure your suppliers demonstrate they share the same approach as you to making a positive impact.”

Q: What future developments in sustainability excite you in the tech space?

A: “Pushing processing into the cloud (and making that as sustainable as possible) helps reduce the requirements on the hardware in the workspace. Also, using AI for cyber security issues is another exciting development.”

Q: How do you personally prioritise sustainability in your leadership?

A: “The circular economy in the B2B market is still in its infancy. Nevertheless, we talk about circularity – about the impact of our products and services – every day. It’s a key part of every management decision we make. And, we are always learning, we educate ourselves on the facts, constantly.”

“We evangelise at every opportunity, making a real difference to customers and asking those customers to demonstrate the benefits. That creates the domino effect of sustainability!”

Q: What have you learned from other business leaders about making sustainability a priority?

A: “It’s still a balancing act. Serving the triple bottom lines of Profit, People and Products is still a challenge for any business. But we don’t have to juggle everything alone. I think all businesses need to look for local organisations who are on the same journey as them. Join forces, share ideas and, where possible, share costs. Don’t leave it to someone else, or you will be left behind.”

Connect with Ian on LinkedIn here.

Investing in a sustainable future

At Right Digital Solutions, sustainability is a core part of who we are. By setting the standard in our own practices, we empower our clients to adopt meaningful changes that lead to a more sustainable future.

Through innovative initiatives and a commitment to Net Zero by 2030, we’re showing that impactful, eco-conscious strategies don’t just benefit the planet – they drive success for businesses too. From reducing CO₂ emissions to championing remanufactured devices, every step we take is a step we can help you take as well.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Get in touch with RDS to explore how we can help your business embrace sustainability, reduce costs and stay ahead of the curve.

Contact RDS today to start building a more environmentally and fiscally sustainable future, tomorrow.