The world’s number one luxury brand has chosen a listed site in the Paris region, owned by an association run by Yann Arthus Bertrand, to set up a campus to train its employees in sustainable issues.
A busy autumn for LVMH.
In addition to two external growth operations – the conclusion of the takeover of Paris Match from the Lagardère group and the acquisition of a 30% stake in French Bloom, a French brand of alcohol-free sparkling wines – the Number One in luxury goods is also taking care of the “sustainable” profile of its internal resources.
By sustainability, we don’t mean a job at LVMH for life, but training in ecological issues! Bernard Arnault’s group has set itself the goal of introducing sustainable development to 100% of its employees by 2026.
Sanctuary dedicated to biodiversity
The LIFE ACADEMY was inaugurated on October 1 at the site of the Association de la Vallée de la Millière, in the Yvelines region, founded by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. Long committed to preserving the planet, the famous photographer has transformed the site into a veritable sanctuary dedicated to biodiversity, classified as a Zone Naturelle d’Intérêt Écologique Faunistique et Floristique (ZNIEFF).
Also committed to sustainable development through its “LIFE 360” program, LVMH has entered into a five-year strategic partnership (2023-2028) with Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s association, including sponsorship for the renovation of the buildings and assistance with the rewilding of the 30-hectare site.
At LVMH, we are convinced that change begins from within,” commented Hélène Valade, LVMH’s Director of Environmental Development. Our employees are at the heart of this transformation. As ambassadors of our environmental strategy, their training is essential if we are to meet the challenges of sustainable development. With this in mind, LIFE ACADEMY has been created to provide them with the tools and skills they need to become agents of change in the projects they carry out on a daily basis.
Nature, the first guest
In what LVMH describes as “a veritable haven of biodiversity dedicated to education”, responsible renovation work, using ecological materials such as wood wool, was carried out to transform the farm buildings. They were also fitted out with second-hand furniture for training and hosting face-to-face students. As in a real campus, the premises are equipped with classrooms, a restaurant and accommodation for participants.
But nature will be the first guest. The 28 hectares of “rewilded ‘ land have already welcomed ’free listeners”, including deer, badgers, dragonflies and numerous birds… In addition, a 1.4-hectare botanical garden-educational organic garden, “inspired by permaculture and based on regenerative agriculture”, has been financed by Guerlain for the past three years. The LVMH-owned perfume house has renewed its partnership for a further three years. Its links with the estate are, it’s true, genuine. The land chosen for Lvmh’s Life Academy had been owned by the Guerlain family since 1868, before it was bought by the Arthus-Bertrand family in 2020…
Face-to-face and e-learning
All LVMH employees will have access to LIFE ACADEMY training courses. Those closest to the company will have the chance to immerse themselves in situ, but e-learning modules are also being deployed “worldwide, wherever the Group operates”.
The program will consist of two complementary pillars: “The Essentials”, a comprehensive grounding in environmental fundamentals, and “The Expertise”, specialized training on topics such as eco-design, responsible sourcing and climate action.
Hands-on workshops, real-life case simulations, immersive games, team-buildings, seminars and biodiversity awareness workshops will help build customized training tailored to the specific needs of LVMH’s various business lines, “especially creatives, architects, logistics and IT professionals.”
Inclusivity
In keeping with the Group’s “Joining forces philosophy, which encourages open and inclusive collaboration”, the site will also be open to an outside audience, via schools, associations and other NGOs in particular, for awareness-raising initiatives.
In the same inclusive vein, LVMH has just inaugurated its sixth LIVE (Institut des Vocations pour l’Emploi) campus in Le Havre, in the presence of Brigitte Macron, and the first in Western France.
Created by France’s First Lady with LVMH in 2019, LIVE offers free 18-week coaching sessions, designed to help “ determined adults over 25, after a long period of inactivity or personal difficulties, to build a new professional project”.
LIVE now has 6 campuses in France, in Clichy-sous-Bois (Île de-France), Valence (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), Roubaix (Hauts-de-France), Marseille (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur) and Reims (Grand-Est).
With two annual classes of 50 to 60 people per campus, LIVE’s capacity now exceeds 650 people per year…
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Read also > LVMH wants to acquire Paris Match
Featured Photo: © LVMH
