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Month: September 2025

From increased knowledge to organisational change: Supply Chain Sustainability School’s FIR Programme drives measurable impact across the sector.

[Image source: Canva]
18 September, London, UK – The Supply Chain Sustainability School (“the School”) has today published the 10th annual Fairness, Inclusion & Respect (FIR) Culture Impact Report, marking a decade of continuous reporting on fairness, inclusion and respect across the built environment. This year’s findings highlight strong progress made in the past 12 months, while also underscoring where further change is still needed.

The 2025 survey was completed by 990 people across the sector, including 329 members of the School’s FIR Ambassadors Network, who actively promote a culture of fairness, inclusion and respect within their organisations.

Results show that the FIR Programme is driving real impact. A record 97% of respondents said it had helped them understand the business case for FIR, up from 92% last year. 88% percent feel empowered to deal with FIR issues effectively, while the same proportion now have the confidence to challenge poor behaviours – a 10% rise on 2024.

Organisational processes are also shifting. 60% of respondents reported that FIR is influencing recruitment practices, while 59% said it is shaping people-management processes. In procurement, 17% of organisations said FIR is now fully embedded within supply chain practices, with more beginning to take action than in previous years.

Despite this progress, areas such as diversity recruitment, talent retention and productivity have seen a decline compared to last year. This highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring that cultural change also translates into consistent business outcomes, and the importance of maintaining momentum to embed lasting improvements.

Ian Heptonstall, Director of Supply Chain Sustainability School said: “This year marks 10 years of the annual FIR Culture Impact Report, a key milestone for the FIR Programme. Over the past decade, the survey has provided valuable insight into where progress is being made and where challenges remain across the built environment industry. These insights have shaped the development of the Programme and helped establish FIR as a trusted voice, driving more fair, inclusive, and respectful workplaces.”

Since launching in 2015, the FIR Programme has worked with partners across the industry to address skills shortages and create more inclusive workplaces, helping to attract and retain a diverse pool of talent. The 2025 report demonstrates how collaboration is continuing to drive meaningful change, while reaffirming the shared commitment to making the built environment a better place to work for all.

For the full report, visit the Supply Chain Sustainability School website here.

On Thursday 4th September, the Supply Chain Sustainability School held its Annual UK School Summit 2025 in Coventry Building Society Arena. This year’s event welcomed our largest-ever audience, all coming together to explore how we can create real progress on the journey to net zero.

The day was full of energy, insight and collaboration. Keynotes set the tone with powerful messages about the urgency of action and the opportunity we have as an industry to lead. Across the breakout sessions and panel discussions, we heard honest conversations about what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change.

Director Ian Heptonstall kicks off the Summit

Speakers explored a wide range of themes. From tackling Scope 3 emissions to driving consistency and accountability across the supply chain. From simplifying reporting and certification to embedding responsible sourcing. From retrofit and circular economy to social value and the importance of a just transition.

One clear message ran throughout the day – no single organisation can do this alone. Education, data and engagement must go hand in hand. Whether you’re a client, contractor or supplier, collaboration is essential to making lasting change.

It was refreshing to hear not just the challenges, but the solutions too. Attendees shared real examples of how they are supporting suppliers, removing barriers and taking practical steps that can be replicated across the sector. These ideas sparked conversations that carried on in the networking spaces, with many people making valuable new connections.

Senior Consultant EJ Allen (Action Sustainability) chairs a packed session on The Role of Low Impact Product in Sustainable Construction

During lunch, an informal awards ceremony took place to recognise individuals and organisations that have been highly engaged with the School. See below for the full list of winners:

  1. Individual Contribution to the School: Shaun McCarthy
  2. Gold Member SME in the Construction Sector: Bourne Group 
  3. Gold Member SME in the Homes Sector: Russel Roof Tiles
  4. Gold Member in the FM Sector: Lingwood Security Management
  5. Partner Award for Supply Chain Engagement: Renew Holdings Group
  6.  Partner Award for Internal Engagement: Canary Wharf Group
  7. Most Engaged Educational Provider (FWF): Reaseheath College
From left to right: Dan Morphew (Bourne Group), Daniel Hancox (Russell Roof Tiles) and Yohannah Caussyram (Canary Wharf Group)

2025 Summit Feedback

The response from attendees has been fantastic:

  • “Great variety of guest speakers. Well organised and nice to see event was broken into different speaker options as well as group.”
  • “Well structured day with very relevant topics discussed with great panels and lots of time for networking.”
  • “Really enjoyed the topics covered, there were valuable takeaways from all sessions I covered.”
  • “Very informative, great atmosphere, really good feel about the group.”

Did you attend the Summit? Your feedback is important to us. Please take 2 minutes to fill out our anonymous online Summit Feedback form – this helps us to improve any future Supply Chain Sustainability School events.

We also shared a range of free resources during the day. If you’d like to revisit these or catch up on what you missed, you can access them here.

Thank you once again to our speakers, partners and everyone who attended. You made the Summit an inspiring and action-focused day. We’re looking forward to seeing you next year!

 

Please also spare a couple of minutes to respond to our annual Impact Survey to help us understand how we can improve your overall experience with the School.

Chief People Officer at National Highways to support skills development and capability building across the supply chain

Image source: National Highways
Image source: National Highways

 

September 11th 2025, London, UK – Elaine Billington MBE, Chief People Officer at National Highways, has been appointed to the Board of the Supply Chain Sustainability School, strengthening the School’s leadership as it accelerates skills development and supplier capability across the UK’s supply chain.

A member of National Highways’ Executive Committee, Elaine brings extensive expertise in workforce strategy, organisational change, and sector-wide collaboration. National Highways has been instrumental in delivering major skills initiatives, including the groundbreaking upskilling of local suppliers on the Lower Thames Crossing project in partnership with the School – a key example of early engagement ahead of Tier 1 contract awards that has set a new industry standard.

Elaine is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and a committed champion of apprenticeships and early career development. Her leadership in this area includes chairing the Northwest Employer Apprentice Ambassador Network and contributing to the national Apprentice Diversity Champions Network. In recognition of her outstanding services to industry and skills, she was awarded an MBE in 2020.

“I’m delighted to join the Board at a time when building supply chain capability, especially among SMEs, is critical to delivering the infrastructure projects that will shape the future of the UK,” said Elaine. “The School is a vital partner in equipping suppliers with the skills they need to meet today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.”

Ian Heptonstall, Director of the Supply Chain Sustainability School, added: “Elaine brings valuable insight into how we drive change at an organisation and industry level. Elaine has a proven record of developing talent at an industry level and what it takes to overcome the barriers to change. These skills will strength the School’s Board as we seek to drive change and scale the impact we are having across the built environment sector.”

The Supply Chain Sustainability School collaborates with over 230 partners across the built environment sector, providing free training and resources to improve sustainability, upskill suppliers, and address the long-term capability challenges facing the industry.