CONTACT US ABOUT US SERVICES NEWS INSIGHTS CAREERS ANY GOVERNMENT SEEKING TO DELIVER ON ITS PROMISES IS GOING TO NEED A HEALTHY FAMILY BUSINESS SECTOR TO GET ANYTHING DONE Sir James Wates has underlined the importance of family businesses to the UK’s long term economic success, as Family Business Week gets underway. READ THE FULL ARTICLE IN THE TIMES Writing in The Times ( 22 November 2021) the Wates Group Chairman, who is also Chairman of the Institute for Family Business, outlined how family businesses were already getting on with the job of creating a net-zero carbon future, pointing to examples of the work done by family firms, including his own, to ‘step up to the net-zero challenge’ The company I chair, the Wates Group, is working in partnership with government to construct net-zero schools. It has also developed ways to improve the energy efficiency of existing and new social housing and to decarbonise the NHS estate.” He argues that the very concept of sustainability is at the heart of the family business model. Most family business owners, myself included, view ourselves as custodians. We are stewards of our business, and our long-term aim is to pass on to the next generation a stronger, more sustainable enterprise.” He argues that it is this ‘long-term view’ which makes family businesses the ‘natural partners’ for governments seeking to make good on carbon reduction targets. In fact, any government seeking to deliver on its promises is going to need a healthy family business sector to get anything done. There are more than five million family businesses in the UK….we are everywhere….in every sector. It’s time that everybody understands just how critical family businesses are to our communities, our environment, and our economy”. Related news John Dunne - Green TV's Decarbonisation Summit 2021 at the COP26 climate conference BLOG COP26 saw the last-minute agreement of the Glasgow Climate Pact to accelerate action on climate change. But, with so many of us wondering whether this deal is enough, it is clear there is no time to lose in swiftly addressing the impacts that we ourselves are having on the environment. "There is no Planet B" VIDEO Designing, constructing and maintaining buildings in response to the challenge of climate change. Watch our video documentary. Connecting innovators with large corporates is key to achieving COP26 goals BLOG Dr. Zainab Dangana discusses how connecting innovators, such as those that are a part of the Wates Innovation Network portal, with large companies is key to achieving the COP26 goals. Changing our habits for COP26 CAMPAIGN With the COP26 climate change summit coming to Glasgow, this is a critical time for us all to work together to avert a crisis. Wates, Arup and HKS launch partnership to decarbonise NHS estate 19 OCTOBER 2021 Decarbonising Health Estates Partnership (DHEP) launched at industry roundtable to discuss NHS’ net zero challenge. Wates Group and the Department For Education begin work on first net-zero schools 24 SEPTEMBER 2021 Wates Group will use pioneering modern methods of construction to build some of the UK’s first net-zero schools, supporting the country’s ambitious climate goals. Wates and Lloyds Banking Group join forces to drive environmental sustainability 05 AUGUST 2021 Wates and Lloyds Banking Group will work together to seek out new energy efficient innovations to form an elite network of green tech businesses, adding to the WIN Portal’s current network of 45 Innovation Partners. Wates supports the Terra Carta - a roadmap to a sustainable future 23 FEBRUARY 2021 We are proud to support the TerraCarta from HRH The Prince of Wales’ Sustainable Markets Initiative. The Terra Carta provides a roadmap to 2030 for businesses to move towards an ambitious and sustainable future. Wates Group commits to zero waste and carbon from operations by 2025 13 JANUARY 2020 The Wates Group has today committed to eliminating waste and carbon from its operations by 2025, well ahead of the Governments own environmental targets. The company has committed to three bold targets to help ensure it does zero harm to the environment… © Copyright Wates 2021 To find out more about the cookies we use, see our Website Privacy Policy. Settings Yes, I agree