Pictured above: George Martin being congratulated
by Jonathon Porritt, chairman of the UK Sustainable
Development Commission
George Martin, Willmott Dixon's head of sustainability has been
voted one of the region's first Top 50 Green Leaders. The
Sustainability West Midlands ranking, launched this week,
celebrates the region's greatest contributors to a low carbon
economy by 2020.
As well as using the accolade to drive the green agenda
throughout the private sector, George will also be invited to
develop and influence policy by contributing to research and
Government initiatives such as the 'Big Society'.
The Willmott Dixon Group, the 3rd largest privately owned
construction, regeneration and support services group is famed in
construction circles for investment in sustainable, low carbon
practices and has invested over £5 million in the last three
years. At Group level this has resulted in 85% of
construction waste being recycled and the company is on target to
achieve zero carbon and send zero waste to landfill by 2012.
"We were absolutely overwhelmed by the response and what it
clearly shows, is the appetite from the West Midlands to meet the
2020 low carbon vision," explained Dr. Simon Slater, executive
director of sustainability West Midlands.
Commenting on the accolade, Willmott Dixon Midlands construction
office MD, Peter Owen said: "The success of any sustainability
innovation or business practice is the result of team effort and
sheer determination. George and his team recognise that it's
not just about achieving targets, it's about being role models to
younger professionals and leading the way in sustainability best
practice.
"It's gratifying for George and Willmott Dixon to be recognised
in this way. A low carbon economy can only be achieved by team
work."
The Top 50 Green Leaders ranking marks further success for
Willmott Dixon's approach to sustainability after the company was
named Building magazine's sustainable company of the year. The
company's commitment to sustainability was also recognised in 2009
when it came 3rd in the Sunday Times Best Green Companies list, the
highest ranked company in the construction industry.