Zellis retains EcoVadis Silver, boosts ESG progress

Zellis has retained a Silver rating from sustainability assessor EcoVadis for a third consecutive year, scoring 78 out of 100 in its latest assessment and placing in the top 15% of organisations rated globally.

The Bristol-based HR, payroll, workforce management, and benefits software provider recorded a four-point improvement on its previous score. EcoVadis raises its thresholds over time, which means companies can see scores move even if their underlying performance remains stable.

Procurement signal

EcoVadis ratings have become a common reference point in supplier selection and contract management. Large and regulated buyers often use such benchmarks to screen suppliers and monitor progress across environmental, labour, ethics, and supply chain themes.

Zellis said the Silver result reflected continued progress across environmental, social and governance criteria. It also pointed to growing expectations from customers that suppliers show evidence of sustainability performance through third-party assessments.

"EcoVadis is one of the most rigorous sustainability benchmarks in the market, and retaining Silver for a third consecutive year is a significant achievement in which we are very proud," said John Petter, Chief Executive Officer, Zellis. "It shows that we are making meaningful progress and continuing to raise the bar, which is a shared priority to both us and our customers."

Lloyds Banking Group referred to the role of supply chain disclosures and targets in its own climate plans. The bank has been asking suppliers for more detailed reporting as it tracks emissions linked to purchased goods and services.

"At Lloyds Banking Group we're committed to working with our supply chain to drive progress towards net zero. We welcome the great progress that Zellis is making and are delighted that they have achieved our Emerald Standard for the year 2025. By disclosing to CDP & EcoVadis Zellis is demonstrating their commitment to transparency and willingness to understand their areas of improvement. Acting on and working towards their targets is supporting us on our journey to reduce our supply chain emissions by 50% by 2030," said a spokesperson.

Impact targets

Zellis linked the latest rating to its latest Impact Report, which it published in April 2025. The company described the report as a group-wide account of progress and commitments, alongside areas of focus for the years ahead.

The framework in the report is organised around four pillars. These are wellbeing, diversity, communities, and the environment. Zellis set a five-year ambition for each pillar running to the end of 2027, along with interim targets.

Bella Jones, Director of Sustainability and Impact at Zellis, said the company viewed responsibility as part of day-to-day operations. She also said external assessment played a role in demonstrating progress.

"Our Impact Report reflects how we think about responsibility as a business, not as a separate initiative but as part of how we operate every day," said Bella Jones, Director of Sustainability & Impact, Zellis. "That approach is reflected in our continued recognition by EcoVadis, which provides independent validation of our progress, as well as in our focus on making a positive difference for colleagues, customers and the communities in which we operate, and on delivering impact that is measurable and meaningful over the long term."

The report includes third-party validation of Zellis emissions reduction targets by the Science Based Targets initiative. SBTi validation has become a standard marker for companies seeking to show that their decarbonisation plans align with climate science.

Zellis also cited social and workforce programmes in the report. These included a goal to support 100 apprenticeships by the end of 2025 and accreditation as a Disability Confident Committed Employer.

Tree milestone

Since the report's publication, Zellis said it reached a milestone of planting one million trees through a partnership with Furthr. The company has raised that ambition to two million trees by 2030.

Employee participation forms part of its community activity plans. Zellis runs Community Days, which provide staff with two paid days a year for volunteering. The company set a target of 20% participation in the first year.

Zellis also pointed to rising scrutiny of the environmental and ethical impacts associated with artificial intelligence. It said it was strengthening its approach to responsible innovation and noted its status as a signatory to the Microsoft Partner Pledge.

The company operates across the UK and Ireland in HR, payroll, workforce management and managed services. It also provides benefits services globally. Zellis acquired elementsuite in 2025, combining HR and workforce management products with its payroll and HR platform.

EcoVadis is expected to remain a prominent reference for supplier sustainability assessments in sectors with tight regulatory oversight and complex supply chains, as buyers push for more consistent reporting and comparable metrics across their vendors.