SAEMA – Specialist Access Engineering and Maintenance Association – has a long history in delivering the best training and guidance in the temporary and permanent suspended access industry.
In keeping with our commitment to advancing safety through raising the standards in best practice, we keep in touch with all the latest developments – chiefly safety, worker welfare and the environment. We are pleased to share that Wates FM has been named Best Sustainability Supplier of the Year by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) at the department’s annual Supplier Conference.
The accolade was presented for developing an innovative environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy in collaboration with HMRC, demonstrating ‘the art of the possible’ with energy management systems designed to reduce environmental impact and generate financial savings.
The newly launched ESG strategy forms part of the company’s work on behalf of HMRC, which began in 2019 and currently includes a range of hard FM services across its UK estate.
As part of the environmental initiatives, the company installed pioneering energy management systems at eight HMRC regional centres, creating savings of over £43,000 per year per site and reducing CO2 by 124 kg per day by optimising the use of air handling units and chillers.
This was achieved through the Wates Innovation Network (WIN) portal, which was launched in 2020 to connect customers and those in the built environment to a select group of providers of green innovation, all of which are designed to reduce environmental impact.
The team created and set up panel pitch events with the support of head of sustainable technology, Dr Zainab Dangana, to ensure providers were demonstrating innovative ideas that aligned with HMRC objectives and goals.
Reflecting on the progression of the industry at the recent conference, HMRC acknowledged the accelerating pace of innovation through their work with Wates. Discussions were also held on how businesses can harness the market for efficiency in the journey to net zero.
The success of this programme with HMRC has been recognised by two industry awards in 2022, winning the ‘Green Apple’ Environmental Award and achieving runner-up in IWFM Collaboration Award.
The partners now collaboratively explore ways to evolve the ESG strategy in terms of building optimisation and continue to strive to make a positive sustainable impact across the south.
Wates FM managing director Antony Collett commented: “Collaborating with HMRC to transform their ESG strategy has been incredibly rewarding, from the achieved results to the social value impact we have generated. Having this recognised by HMRC solidifies our position in the market and we are looking forward to continuing our relationship with HMRC to positively influence environmental impact.”
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