Since achieving B Corp certification at the start of 2023, Fourfront Group, the parent company of Area, Sketch Studios and 360 Workplace has made significant strides across its five pillars - Workers, Community, Environment, Customers, and Governance - each playing a pivotal role in shaping our commitment to excellence and sustainability.
These teams are overseen by our ‘B Keepers,’ guided by our Chairman, Aki Stamatis, who has been the driving force behind our B Corp strategy since day one. From enhancing employee wellbeing and community engagement to driving environmental stewardship and fostering client satisfaction, our initiatives reflect a dedication to creating positive impacts within our organisation and beyond.
Workers – or as we like to call them... People!
Charlotte Turner, Group People Director at Fourfront Group, leads our Workers initiatives under the B Corp framework. Over the past year, we've welcomed a host of new team members, reflecting our growth and a 30% improvement in employee wellbeing. Our commitment to equitable pay was reinforced by becoming a Living Wage Foundation signatory in 2023. We've also embarked on a journey towards becoming a 'Disability Confident Employer', promoting cultural diversity and inclusivity.
We've enhanced overall employee wellbeing - mental, physical, and financial - through comprehensive support programmes, resulting in 94% of employees reporting a positive workplace experience. Our Learning and Development (L&D) programme, including tailored training and 'Face2Face' discussions, has led to 95% of employees reporting high pride in their work.
Looking forward, our focus remains on enhancing training in social and environmental principles, expanding AI capabilities, pursuing ISO 27001 accreditation, and increasing enrollment in Stewardship pension funds, ensuring a supportive, inclusive, and thriving workplace.
Community
James Cornwell, Director at Fourfront Group, has spearheaded impactful community initiatives, reflecting our commitment beyond business operations. His team led us to achieve a perfect score on the Considerate Constructors Scheme for our Bourne Business Park project, highlighting our dedication to safety, environmental responsibility, and community involvement.
Our initiatives to foster an inclusive work environment have seen significant success, with 94% of employees feeling they can be their true selves at work. Annual ED&I workshops equip our team with skills for fostering diversity.
In 2023, we supported Shooting Star Children’s Hospices through a design consultancy project and raised over £50,000 for charity partners. Collaborative efforts with Sandfield Primary School included restoring their roof garden and hosting an art competition, showcasing our commitment to local community projects.
Our supply chain management focuses on ensuring compliance with social and environmental standards, enhancing supplier engagement, and promoting sustainability practices through employee training.
Looking ahead, our steadfast commitment to community engagement, inclusivity, and sustainability will continue to define our operations.
Environment
Duncan Morris, Head of Sustainability at Fourfront Group, drives our sustainability initiatives, emphasising our commitment to reducing environmental impact across operations and client projects. Verified by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), we set ambitious goals in 2023 to address our scope 1, 2, and 3 CO2e emissions, demonstrating transparency through reporting to the Climate Disclosure Project (CDP) and EcoVadis.
We've pioneered methods to calculate and offset CO2e emissions, focusing on high-quality carbon removal methodologies through partnerships like Ecologi. Our 'Project Positive' initiative extends these strategies to mitigate project impacts for our clients, exemplified by our collaboration with Waste to Wonder to manage surplus furniture sustainably.
In biodiversity conservation, our carbon offset initiatives align with efforts to protect and enhance biodiversity. Introducing 'The Green Thread' across departments enhances awareness and integrates sustainability into every business process, from project design to construction and beyond.
Looking ahead, we remain focused on advancing sustainability practices, fostering environmental stewardship, and driving positive change within our industry and communities.
Customers
Sion Davies, Managing Director at Area, prioritises client satisfaction and sustainable practices, driving our commitment to excellence. Our client-centric approach is reflected in our high customer satisfaction scores and award-winning projects recognised at prestigious industry events.
Responding to the growing demand for sustainability consultancy, we've established a dedicated team focused on advising stakeholders and enhancing business practices in sustainability and wellbeing. Our flagship initiative, Project Positive, sets new standards by offsetting the carbon impact of all projects through innovative carbon removal schemes with Ecologi.
Through Project Positive, we pioneer climate-positive project delivery, encouraging clients to participate in carbon removal processes and aligning our portfolio with strategies that address our scope 1, 2, and 3 CO2e emissions. This initiative highlights our commitment to environmental responsibility and fosters social impacts aligned with community wellbeing.
Moving forward, we continue to collaborate with clients on ESG initiatives, supporting social, charitable, and CSR projects that reflect our shared values and commitment to making a positive difference in the communities we serve.
Governance
Mark Scott, CFO at Fourfront Group, ensures our governance and ethical standards remain at the forefront of operations. In 2023, we intensified leadership training to emphasise communication, empathy, and motivation among managers, fostering consistency across our teams. Our commitment to transparency is upheld through regular updates of our Code of Conduct, promoting trust and alignment with company goals.
We prioritise stakeholder engagement by actively listening to employee feedback, resulting in high morale and empowerment. Our sustainable approach extends to pension investments, with all new hires enrolled in Aviva Stewardship funds, reflecting our dedication to ethical investments and environmental responsibility.
These efforts exemplify our commitment to governance excellence and creating a transparent, inclusive workplace at Fourfront Group.
Looking ahead, Fourfront Group remains steadfast in its pursuit of excellence across all facets of operations. We will continue to prioritise sustainability, inclusivity, and ethical governance, striving to set new benchmarks in our industry. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, we are poised to build upon our achievements, ensuring a brighter, more sustainable future for our employees, clients, communities, and the environment we share.
Download our full Impact Report now to gain insights into our journey, explore our initiatives, and find out how you can join us in making a difference.
