IM Properties creates new role to lead sustainability strategy

Spitfire Homes’ parent company, IM Properties, one of the UK’s largest privately owned property companies, has appointed Andrew Swain as Group Sustainability Manager to help deliver its future vision for the business.

The new role follows a lengthy review by IM Properties of all its operations in consultation with its people, key stakeholders and supply chain to deliver its Sustainable Futures strategy.

Andrew, who is a Chartered Environmentalist, with significant experience assisting major blue-chip companies achieve their sustainability goals, said it was refreshingly clear from the start he would be pushing an open door.

“There’s no doubt IM Properties is committed to the process. They’ve invested considerable time and money in ensuring they move forward with genuine intention and get ahead of the curve. It’s very important to them that they’re not just seen to be ticking boxes.

“They’ve taken a holistic view, seeing sustainability as more than the impact on the planet. The strategy looks at people and place too and the long-term value we can deliver to the communities we develop in.”

Andrew added: “There’s a real sense of entrepreneurial spirit and excitement as new schemes are brought forward and we look at ways to innovate and drive best-in-class practice across all that we do, from investment to development.

“IM Properties’ existing commitment to social value and innovation such as creating the first electricity cost neutral (ECN) industrial building in the UK back in 2017, means they’re already on the journey. This is a real bonus having the team onboard and working alongside them on the pathway to becoming a more sustainable business.”

IM Properties’ Sustainable Futures Strategy creates a pathway for 2030 and beyond focused on three key pillars, People, Planet and Place, with a target to be a Net Zero Carbon company by 2030 and all its developments to be Net Zero Ready.

Tim Wooldridge, managing director of IM Properties said: “When we began our journey of formalising our approach around sustainability, we were adamant we had to arrive at a robust strategy, with real substance.

“I’ve got to be honest, it’s a complex and often confusing pathway to navigate and the real skill is in distilling it down to what’s important and then continuing to evolve in an ever- changing landscape.

“Andrew is a calm and very considered person who brings with him significant industry experience and I’m confident he will keep us focussed and help us maximise our considerable influence as a business to deliver real change in line with our vision and values.”