We’re pleased to report that our 2025 carbon footprint fell to 9,934.97tCO₂e, down 3.25% on the previous year despite higher turnover. That’s the equivalent of driving around the Earth 2,000 times.

Our footprint covers Scopes 1, 2 and 3 and is independently verified in line with ISO 14064-3:2019, ensuring transparent and credible reporting.

Key contributors to this reduction include:

• REGO-backed renewable electricity at our HQ and Cambridge offices
• Greater use of EPDs and supplier-specific carbon data
• Lower embodied carbon impacts through a higher proportion of Cat B projects

Reducing carbon is a collective effort, and continued collaboration across our teams and supply chain will help drive further progress.

Special mention to our in-house team, Beth Jepson, Chris Blencowe, Fergus Adams, and Joe Murray for leading environment efforts across our business.

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Setting a New Benchmark in Sustainable Office Fit-Out

At Parkeray, we’re proud to have delivered one of our most ambitious and sustainable workplace fit-outs to date on behalf of Grant Thornton UK. Relocating after more than 20 years, Grant Thornton viewed its move to 8 Finsbury Circus as far more than a change of address, it was an opportunity to reimagine what a future-focused, people-centred office could be. The result is a bold transformation of 100,000 sq ft across seven floors, setting a new benchmark for sustainable office design and fit-out in the UK.

A Strategic Framework for Sustainable Office Design

Working in close collaboration with Grant Thornton UK, JLL, BEYOND Sustainability and architects HLW, the project was shaped around a clear sustainability framework focused on carbon reduction, circularity, wellbeing, community impact, biophilic design and supply chain equity.

This approach delivered exceptional outcomes, including a 79% reduction in embodied carbon, a 23% reduction in operational carbon, and the reuse or donation of 82.7% of furniture. More than 2,300 items were donated to ten local schools, ensuring zero waste to landfill.

Sustainability by Design: A Reuse-First Fit-Out

From Stage 2, our team and delivery partners adopted a reuse-first mindset, auditing existing assets and designing creatively around them. Highlights included reassembling a six-metre bar into a new café space, reusing structured cabling across five floors, and retaining major communications infrastructure.

In total, we achieved 100% reuse of raised access flooring, 57% reuse of finishes, and 82% furniture reuse, significantly reducing embodied carbon while maintaining quality and performance.

Inclusive, People-First Spaces

People were central to every decision. Extensive staff consultation and input from Grant Thornton’s disability steering group shaped a workspace that supports neurodiversity, accessibility, sensory comfort and wellbeing, from prayer and reflection rooms to community-focused social spaces.

Building a Responsible Supply Chain

By limiting suppliers to a 100-mile radius, 78% were local businesses and 70% SMEs or diverse-owned companies, strengthening social value while cutting emissions.

A Blueprint for Change

This project proves that sustainable workplace design and fit-outs can deliver meaningful environmental and social impact without compromise. With bold goals and the right partnerships, it’s possible to create inspiring, low-impact workplaces that benefit both people and the planet.

Watch the Docuseries: The Shift Starts Here

Discover the story and the collaboration behind this innovative project in our new docuseries here.

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We’re thrilled to announce that our 1 Lombard Street, 3rd Floor West project has been named a winner in the Refurbishment and Fit-Out category at the BREEAM Awards 2025!

This recognition is a testament to the dedication, innovation, and collaboration that defined every stage of this project, and we’re proud to have achieved that with a BREEAM Outstanding rating.

The success of this project would not have been possible without the expertise and commitment of our project partners. We’re especially grateful to L&P Group for nominating the project and to BREEAM for recognising our work.

A huge congratulations to our in-house sustainability team—Bethany Jepson, Fergus Adams, and everyone involved—for your tireless effort, deep expertise, and passion for sustainability.

Together, we’ve transformed a space into something exceptional: a modern, efficient, and environmentally responsible workplace we can all be proud of.

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Being sustainable at Christmas doesn’t have to be bah humbug! There are plenty of ways to make a positive impact on the planet and wellbeing.

Did you know every Christmas in the UK, the average person spends £41 on unwanted presents, 114,000 tonnes of plastic packaging go to landfill, and we throw away nearly 2 million turkeys? So, how can we make Christmas a more sustainable occasion? Our Sustainability Manager, Luke Barrett, shares his top tips below:

1. Re-use paper: Newspapers and magazines are a great alternative to traditional wrapping paper as well as fabrics such as curtains or bedding.
   
   
2. Use an air fryer: Cook some of your Christmas roasts using an air fryer or slow cooker (if possible), as they are more energy-efficient than ovens.
   
   
3. Eat more veggies: Vegan options have lower carbon footprints compared to meat and dairy options. For some tasty recipes including Christmas pudding click here
   
   
4. Self-serve: Self-serving enables people to take the amount of food they want and reduces food waste. 
   
   
5. Use leftovers: Try and use all your leftovers in the period after Christmas day.
   
   
6. Take public transport:  Using public transport as a means of travelling instead of driving is far more environmentally friendly. If you’re flying somewhere and it’s financially feasible, you could try and reduce your carbon emissions by buying carbon offsets.
   
   
7. Buy local: Try and buy locally produced presents and if possible, gifts of higher quality to ensure they last longer. Buying Christmas presents that do not require electricity, such as books or board games, will also reduce carbon emissions.
   
   
8. Buy LED lights: When splashing out on new Christmas lights, buy LEDs as they are more energy efficient.
   
   While these actions will make your Christmas more sustainable, the simplest way to achieve a more environmentally friendly yet enjoyable Christmas is to consume less stuff, preferably the things that do not contribute to your enjoyment.

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We were delighted to partner with Construction Sport to host Let’s Talk Mental Health – a wellbeing breakfast at our Wigmore Street project in February.

Construction Sport is committed to raising mental health awareness and providing resources to help improve the lives of construction workers through collaboration and the power of sport. We invited the founder Stephen Kerslake to attend and give a talk to our team. Stephen spoke openly about his experience with mental health, how it impacted his physical health, and the benefits of making time to engage in sports and hobbies.

Our team, led by Matt Liddell, were determined to positively impact the health and wellbeing of the workforce throughout the project lifecycle. Inviting our subcontractors on site to enjoy a complimentary breakfast was a great way of bringing everyone together and to learn more about each other.

“Thank you to all the team at Parkeray for a very welcoming morning and for providing the opportunity for me to speak to everyone on site. Parkeray is leading by example, and you can clearly see it in the positive attitude within their workforce and by ensuring everyone is invested in their core values. Open – Honest – Robust – Respect.”

Stephen Kerslake | Construction Sport

Following the event, we displayed posters on site with QR Codes with access to helpful podcasts, mental health resources and guidance.

We were thrilled to partner with Construction Sport as part of our wellbeing and Positive Impact programme. We look forward to working with them again in the future.

For further information about Construction Sport, please visit https://constructionsport.com/

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Parkeray has a strong track record in delivering sustainable workplaces for clients. £55m worth of our projects to date have been recognised by leading sustainability certification schemes.

Recently completed projects include:

• Confidential client, Scalpel Building: BREEAM Excellent
• Fjord Building, 20 New Wharf Road: BREEAM Very Good
• Abbey Gardens, Reading: BREEAM Very Good

Over the last couple of years, we have seen the sustainability assessment landscape change, with more of an emphasis on occupant wellbeing. We are also beginning to see our clients’ and architects grapple with the challenge of delivering a net-zero carbon fit-out and what this might mean for the industry.

Helping us deliver sustainable workspaces is our in-house Sustainability Manager, Chris Blencowe. Chris acts as a point of expertise for our site-based teams and supply chain partners on the most effective means of fulfilling our clients’ sustainability aspirations. 

Before joining Parkeray, Chris qualified as a BREEAM Assessor and Accredited Professional and has since become one of the first WELL AP-qualified specialists in the UK. He is also a qualified Ska Assessor and Fitwel Ambassador – responsible for liaising with our clients’ sustainability specialists to ensure that we both have a clear understanding of the progress of the project, whilst providing early warning of any potential compliance issues. 

As a leading main fit-out and refurbishment contractor, part of our job is keeping an eye on the future to ensure that we can continue to support our clients’ sustainability goals. As a considerate contractor, we are mindful of the impact our construction work has on the environment too. Working collaboratively with our clients and having a clear understanding of the objectives are key to the successful delivery of healthy, productive and sustainable workspaces from concept to completion.

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The “Life is Better Filtered, Corporate School of Expertise” roundtable is part of a new campaign from BRITA Professional, which aims to identify key concerns and issues within the corporate and building sector.

On Wednesday 10 April, Parkeray’s very own sustainability expert, Chris Blencowe shared his knowledge of sustainability in the workplace as one of the keynote speakers at the event.

Attended by professionals from the built environment sector, the roundtable discussion explored how Millennials and Generation Z regard sustainability and CSR initiatives in the workplace, with regards to the physical building and the culture.

Commenting on the event, Chris said: “It was great to take part in this roundtable discussion and hear different viewpoints regarding the challenges businesses face when creating sustainable workplaces.”

Chris’s valuable takeaways for businesses aiming to provide a more sustainable environment for their workforce included:

Personalised space
Having the ability to personalise the working environment is a big draw for today’s workforce. With this in mind, office spaces should be geared up to suit the changing needs of the employees, depending on different tasks or moods, whether that’s dedicated spaces for quiet thinking or collaborative areas that encourage interaction.

Bring the outdoors in
Progressive office spaces are paying special attention to how the building’s materials and environment can have a positive impact on employee wellbeing. The concept of ‘biophilia’ – which suggests that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature – is a key trend here. Incorporating plant life into the workspace is a great way to create a tranquil atmosphere and help with mindfulness among employees.

Think about the building materials
When it comes to office design, maximising the use of natural or minimally processed materials and finishes reduces the concentration of harmful chemicals within the internal environment.

For further insights from Chris, along with key findings from BRITA’s research, download The Life is Better Filtered toolkit here.

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Congratulations to our Sustainability Manager Chris Blencowe for passing his WELL Accredited Professional exam!

The WELL Building Standard is an evidence and performance-based system for measuring, certifying and monitoring features such as air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind within the built environment. It is also the first building standard to focus exclusively on the health and wellness of people in the built environment.

Having passed the WELL AP exam, Chris is now one of 13 WELL Accredited Professionals (WELL AP) in London.

Parkeray is proud to be at the forefront of this pioneering initiative and together with Chris looks forward to helping clients deliver spaces that empower people to perform and feel their best.

To find out more about the WELL AP, please visit www.wellcertified.com.

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It gives us great pleasure to announce the appointment of Chris Blencowe as Parkeray’s Sustainability Manager and our ‘Green Team’ of three, who along with Chris, comprises Gary Richardson and Steve Mott as Site Sustainability Managers.

After working as an external consultant to Parkeray for a number of years, we are delighted to welcome Chris to the team, where he will advise on sustainability matters at a strategic level and help shape future plans. Both Gary and Steve recently passed their Site Sustainability examinations with flying colours and will consult on site, in addition to their current roles as Services Managers.

We believe that every responsible organisation has a duty to play its part in protecting the environment, and as such our new team demonstrates Parkeray’s commitment to sustainable construction and ensuring our work has minimal impact on the environment and communities we work in.

We wish the team the very best in their roles and are excited to see what developments will transpire in the near future.

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