ESG accolade for Speedy
18 June 2021
ESG is an abbreviation that we’ll be hearing a lot more of in the future. Standing for Environmental, Social and Governance, it describes non-financial factors that investors and stakeholders are increasingly applying to businesses to identify material risks and growth opportunities.
Speedy has just been recognised for its commitment to best ESG practices by the Institutional Shareholder Services group of companies (ISS).
ISS’s analysis of 57 publicly listed industrial services firms found Speedy to have the top performing ESG strategy, accrediting the hirer with its ‘prime’ status. The organisation supports investors and businesses in building for long-term sustainable growth.
Speedy’s achievement follows the development of its ESG strategy, Energise, and its commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its business. Over the last 12 months, the company has made several multi-million pound investments in low carbon equipment.
This investment will continue into the current year with over 50% of capital expenditure forecast to be on sustainable products, which will further benefit customers’ carbon footprints.
Speedy recently refreshed its company car list, as reported on the blog, which is now almost entirely hybrid and electric. In May, the business appointed its first ESG director, Amelia Woodley, who said of the ISS accreditation: “This achievement reflects how employee decision making at every level of our business is shaped by sustainability and social responsibility.
“It’s a focus that will be vital in meeting the targets we’ve committed to, from becoming a net zero emissions company before 2050 to ensuring equal opportunities for our people,” she added.
Pictured is Speedy’s latest electric delivery van, which was showcased at the Rail Live exhibition this week. I visited the event and I'll be reporting about it on the blog very soon.
● I talk to Andy Connor, Speedy's Group Product Innovation and Supply Chain Director, about the challenges of sustainability in hire and how the company is tackling them here.
