18 sustainability
Deloitte Reading gains a 'home gold' for sustainable operations
As Team GB show off their medals from the Olympic Games, Deloitte’s Reading office, Abbots House, has become the firm’s first office to gain a BREEAM Excellent sustainability rating. This coveted rating was secured following 16 months of extensive refurbishment and significant investment
The new energy efficient office demonstrates Deloitte’s commitment to its environmental agenda and embraces modern day working practices. Abbots House has become a great space to do sustainable business.
The renovation is the largest property undertaking for the firm since the construction of its London headquarters in 2008. The firm began developing plans for the renovation by consulting its staff and clients. Deloitte recognised the need to cater for the changing work practices of its employees, whilst ensuring the refurbishment delivered the firm’s environmental objectives.
Carol MacKinnon, partner in charge of the Reading office, said: “This project is a great example of how Deloitte continues to prioritise its ‘Green Journey’ environmental programme, and demonstrates the firm’s commitment to the region. As one of the biggest local employers (c 500 employees), the building now enables the firm to accommodate natural growth as the regional team continues to expand.”
Abbots House will reduce the overall energy consumption of the building through maximising the use of natural light and high-efficient building systems. There are also roof-top solar panels, enhanced waste and recycling solutions, and water efficient fixtures and fittings throughout the building.
Anna Marks, partner and head of audit explained: “We feel very strongly that we have a corporate responsibility to future- proof our projects to ensure we are being as ‘green’ as we can be.”
In addition to aligning the refurbishment with the firm’s sustainability agenda, another key driver was to cater for changing work practices.
Marks continued: “Technology, communication, social attitudes, and the way we do our work nowadays, demonstrated by our staff and with our clients, is changing and we have to embrace that, while retaining our high professional service standards.
“We are a multi-disciplinary professional services firm and different functions within the firm will now be able to work differently,
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In the new atrium at Abbots House, Deloitte’s three Reading Office service line lead partners, left to right, Carol MacKinnon (corporate finance, and partner in charge), Lisa Stott (tax) and Anna Marks (audit).
in environments that are conducive for great work.”
MacKinnon added: “The change in our styles of working is being reflected in increased workspace flexibility and Deloitte’s ongoing upgrading of its premises.
“People like flexibility. As long as we are delivering a fantastic professional service for our clients, it doesn’t matter how, where or when we do that. But, it is about getting the balance right.
“Today’s companies need to have the right premises and facilities available to enable them to provide a tailored business environment.”
Lisa Stott, partner and head of tax, commented: “Our staff were involved in the project from day one. They contributed ideas and views through the working party and helped steer the project.”
Deloitte worked with landlords to create a refurbishment programme that has increased usable floorspace, while providing flexibility and a fresh open-plan design. Meeting rooms offer a flexible layout and house state-of-the-art global video- conferencing facilities. In addition, the firm has focused on staff well-being with the
provision of cycle facilities and an on-site gym.
Stott explained: “Our ambition was not only to create a green building, but also to modernise the environment for our clients and our people, because we had been in the building for 25 years. We deal with a lot of innovative and high-growth companies across all sectors and it is important to invest in our presence here in the Thames Valley.”
MacKinnon added: “The Thames Valley region is really important to the UK economy and to us. It is the UK’s Silicon Valley but there are many other industries besides technology, media and telecommunications that we are involved with – including aviation, travel, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and consumer businesses – and they are all doing amazing things.”
Deloitte’s refurbished Reading office opened on Monday July 30.
Details:
www.deloitte.co.uk
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – SEPTEMBER 2012
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