Wild Thang marked its 30th anniversary (1996–2026) with a landmark ESG, Product & Tech Revolution Expo and Gala Dinner, which they believe to be the first of its kind in our industry, gathering hundreds of clients, partners, suppliers and expert collaborators to celebrate progress, innovation and purposeful business. Hosted at the Hilton Liverpool City Centre, this multifaceted event seamlessly blended a future-focused industry expo with an immersive and celebratory evening, encapsulating both Wild Thang’s evolution and journey over the past 30 years to fulfil its mission “To Deliver one world-class solution that elevates creative branded clothing, merchandise and print through more sustainable practices and ethical production, ‘The Wild Thang Way’”.

A Landmark Event Focused on “Doing Business Better”

Unlike traditional anniversary parties or events, the Expo focused on ESG, sustainable product innovation, ethical supply chains, and technology solutions to achieve greater impact. At its core was a clear message: Doing business better for planet people with purpose and progress, not perfection. The event featured thousands of lower-eco impact product ideas, alongside the launch of new technologies, on-demand and digital solutions, all designed to help organisations mitigate supply chain risk, improve efficiency, strengthen ESG commitments and brand performance.

Andrew Dwerryhouse, Founder & Managing Director of Wild Thang, said:

“For our milestone 30th birthday, we really wanted to do something that dared to be different and be much more than a party. We don’t think milestone business moments get any bigger. I think we did it in Wild Thang way style and genuinely hope all attendees left feeling inspired, empowered with more knowledge to do things better. We wanted it to be a celebration of our family business, everyone who has played an integral role in our 30-year journey, including fellow family member Directors, Chris Dwerryhouse, John Howarth & Sarah Howarth, our amazing team, partners, collaborators, suppliers and friends, all of whom we see as family. It was important to showcase how we have placed ESG central to Wild Thang’s culture and now being a proud B Corp we have never been more excited about the future even with the current global challenges, focused on doing business better for planet people with purpose and progress we hope to push through the £10 Million T/O barrier this year and aim for £20 million over the next 3 years.”

Innovation, Impact and Measurable Change

As a certified B Corporation, Wild Thang used the event to demonstrate how businesses can balance purpose and profit while delivering tangible outcomes for people, planet and purpose.

Key highlights included:

• Programme of industry expert speakers and panel discussions.
• Launch of new on-demand and digital branding solutions
• Introduction of a new Stanley/Stella sustainable team uniform
• Distribution of lower-eco impact 30th anniversary goody bags
• Carbon offsetting of all attendees’ travel
• Raising over £2,000 for charity partners

These initiatives resulted in a significant reduction in event-generated waste, offsetting attendee travel emissions, and raising over £2,000 for charity partners. They demonstrated practical ways organisations can reduce environmental impact, strengthen ESG performance and mitigate risk while maintaining quality, creativity and embracing digital solutions they now offer.

Sarah Howarth, Commercial Director at Wild Thang, said:

“From the very beginning, we’ve had a mindset of striving to be the best. Through collaboration, learning and industry engagement, we’ve evolved to place ESG, ethical sourcing and technology at the heart of what we do.

That allows us to deliver real value for our clients while supporting our community and the planet. As we celebrate 30 years, it genuinely feels like we’re just getting started.”

Industry Voices Driving Real Conversations & Making Human Connections.

A key highlight of the day was the programme of expert speakers and panel discussions, bringing together respected voices from across business, sustainability and industry leadership.

Speakers included representatives from organisations such as:

• Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
• British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA)
• STAHLS’ EMEA
• Stanley/Stella
• The King’s Trust
• Nugent
• Clatterbridge Cancer Charity
• University of Liverpool and wider industry bodies

Together, they shared practical insights on responsible sourcing, ESG strategy and innovation, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in driving meaningful change.

Phil Goodman, Chief Executive of the British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA), commented:

“Wild Thang is among the best in the industry. They are committed to doing things more sustainably, ethically and authentically, and this Expo showcased exactly how the industry can evolve. Sustainability is not optional; it’s essential for the future of our sector, and events like this help move that conversation forward.”

A Celebration of People, Partnerships and 30 Years of Progress

After the Expo, the venue hosted a 30th Anniversary Gala Dinner celebrating Wild Thang’s people and partnerships in style. The evening celebrated three decades of moments and milestones over 30 years of our Wild Thang family business. Milestones, moments, entertainment, fundraising, and recognition of key contributors. The gala was hosted by the talented Claire Simmo, along with first-class entertainment from Jazzophonists, Olivia Mae Music & Apres Music.

Awards also presented on the evening included:

• Employee of the Decade – Leigh McLaughlin
• Supplier of the Year – Laltex Group

The event also reinforced Wild Thang’s commitment to social impact, supporting charity partners, Nugent and Clatterbridge Cancer Charity.

Carrie Dwerryhouse, ESG Manager at Wild Thang, added:

“It’s been a complete team effort to deliver these 30th celebrations. Achieving B Corp certification was a major milestone for us, and we now have a responsibility to inspire and support other organisations to raise their standards for people and planet. If more businesses embraced this mindset, the positive impact would be incredible. We know better never stops, and our ambition is to become one of the most sustainable and certified companies in our industry globally.”

Looking Ahead

From its beginnings in 1996 as a Prince’s Trust (Now The Kings Trust) supported start-up, Wild Thang has grown into an internationally recognised, award-winning business delivering one world-class solution for creative branded clothing, merchandise and print. As a proud B Corp certified company, we have now become one of the most sustainable and certified in our industry sector. The 30th anniversary event was not only a celebration of that journey, but also a clear statement of future intent, with continued investment in sustainable innovation, advanced digital technology solutions, ethical supply chains, ESG, and global growth. Wild Thang now looks ahead to building on this momentum, aiming to help organisations mitigate risk, strengthen ESG performance, and create meaningful, measurable positive impact, as demonstrated by planting trees and carbon offsetting for every order received, reaching Carbon Neutrality and making an ongoing positive social impact, the funds raised at the 30th anniversary event being yet another example of how we have placed ESG central to our team culture and company all of which is the essence of the ‘Wild Thang Way Ethos’.