CAN Mezzanine case study

Sedex logoSedex

The Supplier Ethical Data Exchange or Sedex for short, is an organisation that benefits from London Bridge's excellent location. As Sedex deals with big name corporate clients such as Tesco and John Lewis, the smart London Bridge address and building amenities, helps to attract and retain these company members.

Sedex is a not-for-profit membership organisation for businesses committed to continuous improvement of the ethical and responsible practices in their supply chains. The core product of Sedex is a secure web-based database for sharing information on ethical and responsible practices.

The business started out as a small project within a consultancy firm, driven by four big companies, Tesco, Waitrose, John Lewis and Marks & Spencer. When the project branched out on its own, the founders decided they did not want a place of their own; they were looking for a place with a buzz.

Sedex teamTara Norton, Sedex's General Manager joined the organisation when there were only two other people working there. "I was a little sceptical about coming to work for such a small organisation, but when I got to the interview and saw the impressive building right on the river and smart meeting rooms, I was re-assured as to the professionalism of the organisation. It's amazing what a difference being in a prestigious building and location makes."

"We're now up to 16 desks here." Explains Tara. "We considered moving into our own space, but when we factored in that we would need reception staff and general office management staff, it didn't seem worthwhile, particularly when the CAN Mezzanine staff here are so helpful. Plus, many of the staff here work flexible hours, work from home, or are out at meetings, and without the surrounding organisations that we have here, I think we could get very lonely."

Tara also was pleased with the networking Sedex has been able to do. "Sedex has managed to make some good links with several of the organisations here like Prime Timers, Transparency International and CTT. It's good for the staff to feel part of a larger unit, they have the social events organised by the building to attend and some of them have taken advantage of some of the discounted training on offer."

Tara seems most please with the general working environment provided at CAN Mezzanine. "There is a good feeling amongst people that work here and CAN Mezzanine is definitely a part of that." Tara has no intentions of moving the organisation anywhere else, she just hopes another organisation leaves instead so they can take up their desk spaces.

For more information on Sedex, please visit http://www.sedex.org.uk/