How the Watford Business Pledge is helping local companies connect and grow

How the Watford Business Pledge is helping local companies connect and grow

In a recent episode of the Wirebox podcast, our founder Andrew sat down with Rosie Ward, an Economic Development Officer at Watford Borough Council, to discuss the Watford Business Pledge…something we’ve supported since its inception. Originally launched in July 2024 at The Clarendon Works alongside Elected Mayor Peter Taylor, this free initiative has grown to include over 40 local businesses – ranging from sole traders to multinational corporations and we spoke to Rosie about how the pledge works, why local businesses (like ours) are getting involved and where the programme is headed next. You can watch the full chat here or grab the highlights below.

Understanding the 5 commitments

The Watford Business Pledge provides a clear structure for organisations looking to demonstrate social value, operate sustainably and build stronger roots in the local economy. 

It is built around five core pillars:

1. To adopt good employment practices
2. Support local employment with recruitment & training
3. Maintain social value activities locally
4. Choose local suppliers first where possible
5. Have robust sustainable practices

“We want to encourage businesses to get more involved with the council. We want to know who’s out there. [We heard] businesses saying that ‘we also want to know who else is out there’.”

• Rosie Ward, Economic Development Officer, Watford Borough Council

Membership tiers and application process

To keep the initiative accessible to organisations of all sizes, the pledge features three distinct involvement levels. We’re a Member, but there are also Supporter and Ambassador tiers, as explained below.

Supporter

This is for organisations actively working towards meeting all criteria across the five commitments.

Member

This is granted once a business meets all required criteria across every commitment.

Ambassador

This is reserved for fully compliant members who actively mentor other businesses through the application process.

The application involves completing an interactive template, which an independent panel of eight assessors evaluates, representing networks like the Growth Hub, the Watford Chamber and existing pledge ambassadors.

“We were one of the first companies to meet the pledge, and it was very good to be part of that. […] it wasn’t just a tick box for us […] it took some care. And I felt that was important.”

• Andrew Ajoodha, Founder, Wirebox

Unlocking business benefits

While the pledge helps strengthen community ties, participating organisations also gain practical business advantages. Applicants frequently repurpose their pledge documentation for corporate tenders and public sector procurement, and the structured application provides ready-to-use data for regional business awards. Rosie also shared that members and non-members alike can access a centralised resource bank on watfordbusiness.com, offering guidance on local suppliers, sustainable travel planning and staff benefits. Lastly, free events like the ‘Lunch and Learn’ series allow non-members to engage with Ambassadors and discover practical ways to meet the commitments.

Looking to the future

As local government structures evolve, this pledge model is designed to expand beyond Watford’s borders into surrounding areas like Three Rivers and Hertsmere, with long-term potential to serve as a county-wide framework across Hertfordshire. So, for local business owners hesitant about the time investment required to apply, there’s really no downside, since this framework is expected to endure long into the future. 

To explore the Knowledge Hub, register for upcoming Lunch and Learn events or apply for the pledge; visit watfordbusiness.com or reach out directly to [email protected] with any questions.