Salford Giving

At the core of our 125-year-old family-owned business, we have a mission to create better affordable homes, as a foundation for people to build better lives. We do this by undertaking domestic refurbishment and retrofit, new build homes and a wide variety of MEP works.

We have continuously supported the initiative to drive innovative work-leading research to support areas that are critical to a national move towards net-zero housing. Through funding opportunities such as the School Green Summit, we have significantly raised the profile of sustainable construction. This translated in our recent commitment to the Friends of Energy House Initiative.

Our involvement in this project allowed us not only to raise the profile of sustainability on an internal basis, but also review and capture our place in new markets such as Retrofit. The Friends of Energy House has opened up a new network to deliver sustainable work and developmental projects such as an IPHD programme in collaboration with the National Trust Association and the University of Salford.

Energy House 2.0 is supported by partners of Hg, which is a leading investor in European and transatlantic software and services businesses.

Hg invests in and supports business that supply critical software applications or workflow services, delivering a more automated workplace for their customers.

This industry is characterised by digitization trends that are in early stages of adoption and are set to transform the workplace for professionals over decades to come. Hg’s support combines deep end-market knowledge with world class operational resources, together providing compelling support to entrepreneurial leaders looking to scale their business – businesses that are well invested, enduring and serve their customers well.

With a vast European network and strong presence across North America, Hg backs 50 businesses, worth over $135 billion aggregate enterprise value, with over 100,000 employees, consistently growing revenues at more than 20% annually.

A spokesperson at Hg, said: ‘As a technology investor we’re big believers in progress through innovation. Research and technology advancements are going to be a significant part of any net-zero aspirations.  It’s great to see the University of Salford facilitating unique and specialised research, that has the potential to pave the way for a more sustainable and energy-efficient future. We are proud to support a transformative project at the cutting edge of progressing low carbon and net zero housing.’

With three decades of experience, Elmhurst is the UK’s largest independent provider of energy assessment, retrofit and property professional training, software, and accreditation. Elmhurst has trained tens of thousands of individuals, providing them with industry recognised qualifications, and the skills required to build a successful career in energy assessment.

Elmhurst’s unrivalled technical support, innovative software and comprehensive training mean that our members are well-equipped to assess domestic and non-domestic buildings and complete accurate Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). With our expansive membership, Elmhurst now processes over 70% of all EPC submissions in the UK.

Alongside our high-quality products and services, Elmhurst continues to drive the industry forward by pushing for important changes in regulation. We aim to ensure that the topic of energy efficiency is always at the forefront of the political and business agenda and that progress is being made toward a more sustainable and energy efficient future.

Elmhurst’s Involvement in Friends of Energy 2.0

Elmhurst is a proud member of Friends of Energy House 2.0 and a donor to the Impact Fund. We are currently working with the Energy House team on several key areas to better understand how buildings perform and how to address the various challenges of achieving net zero buildings.

The laboratory itself allows us to see and understand the actual performance of buildings and services in ‘real world’ conditions. This includes extreme temperatures and weather conditions, which have become more prominent in recent decades in the UK. Particular focus will also be placed on SAP results modelling for future homes and the systems that are being installed.

Research conducted at the facility will allow the industry to gain a better understanding of the actual energy performance of buildings and consider important changes to the regulations and methodologies. On a wider scale, this will play a crucial role in accelerating the UK’s progress toward low carbon and net zero housing; while also playing a key part in the battle to reduce fuel poverty, tackle climate change, and create more comfortable and safe buildings for everyone.

Andrew Parkin, Technical Development Director

I am thrilled that Elmhurst is a member of Friends of Energy House 2.0. This partnership underscores our unwavering commitment to drive for net zero buildings and create a more sustainable industry.

The research conducted will continue to drive the industry forward. We will not only gain a better understanding of the energy performance of buildings, both old and new, but can start to make vital updates to the regulations and methodologies that govern this environment. Even better, the research has the potential to transcend industry and reshape our collective thinking and understanding of energy efficiency.

I am personally looking forward to seeing how new technologies and measures develop and become part of our armoury of solutions in the battle against climate change, particularly as the country’s 2050 net-zero target approaches the horizon.

I look forward to our continuing work with the Energy House team and to seeing the progress made from this important research.

Thermocill is a solutions company that delivers, affordable, low-emission, and environmentally friendly products. Focused on delivering affordable, effective, low-emission, and sustainable housing. Through the Thermocill Trust, they want to provide energy-efficient modular homes for the homeless.

Through donating £10,000 to the Friends of Energy House 2.0 (FoEH2) Impact Fund, Thermocill has demonstrated its passion for fuelling the development of energy-efficient homes. The FoEH2 Impact Fund is a collective source of funding with an ambition to drive activity and extend the reach of the new Energy House 2.0 facility through supporting Women in STEM PhD Studentships, Educational Outreach Programmes and student and local community initiatives.

Through the Impact Fund, Thermocill’s generosity and mission can be fulfilled through supporting research and education at our Energy House 2.0 facility.

Thermocill’s message is simple, as described by CEO Keith Rimmer: “It really doesn’t need to cost the earth by profiting from simple solutions that will benefit so many and save so much, while waiting for others to invent, innovate and provide sustainable offerings. Our ethos is to provide energy-efficient solutions to today’s issues that have never been investigated or solved due to the lack of innovation and practical approach to heat loss of existing materials & products within the building materials sector – our market is endless…yet our time is limited.”

We cannot wait to see how Thermocill’s donation to the FoEH2 impact fund will support future research, education, and the wider Salford community.

Our family of more than 200 environmental, engineering and technical services businesses work together to provide practical solutions to some of the greatest challenges societies have ever faced. 
 
RSK is enabling clients around the world to do their bit. We operate in most sectors of the economy, including many of those most critical to future global sustainability, such as water, energy, food and drink, infrastructure, urban development, mining and waste. With our integrated offering across research and development, consultancy and on-the-ground application, we can deliver a complete solution that is unrivalled in the market, and drives a ‘just transition’ to a resilient and net zero future for all.

RSK is proud to be an industry partner in the Energy House research, as it supports our commitment to the SDG’s and complements our commitment to deliver market leading sustainable solutions for our clients. Our involvement with the Friends programme recognises the importance of involving and informing the community in the drive to build net zero homes. We are delighted that our contributions will support the development of new skills in green technologies and build a pipeline of future talent which will enable us, and all those involved in new home development, to meet our carbon reduction targets.

It is well documented that the need for a skilled workforce within the sustainability sector is critical, and by partnering with higher education establishments on projects such as Energy House, it ensures students have the awareness and skills needed within priority areas such as renewable energy and net zero. This is something that is also in line with RSK’s own 2030 growth plans.

It is vital that the workforce of the future is aware of the transition to new approaches within house building and energy provisions so that the homes of the future will be fit for purpose and are also well positioned for future moves towards net zero design.

Haydn Keen, Business Development Director for Property and Construction at RSK, says: “Since 1989, RSK has been delivering environmental and engineering services to support clients around the world to minimise their impact on the planet.

“Our long-term vision is to become the world’s largest and most trusted provider of sustainable solutions. To achieve this, RSK has aligned its service offering to the Sustainable Development Goals – a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. These goals have helped to shape our own internal practices and global footprint and are the driving force behind the diversification of our offering.”