SEGRO to support tens of thousands of people through its community investment programme
SEGRO is launching its first round of community investment plans to boost skills, training and employment for tens of thousands of people, as well as enhancing the local environment and biodiversity in the communities where it operates.
The tailored community investment plans are part of its Responsible SEGRO framework, which commits to creating and implementing programmes in all of its key markets by 2025.
SEGRO’s initial community investment plans will cover its major asset areas, which includes Slough, Greater London, the UK Midlands, as well as locations in France, Germany and Poland.
The plans, which will be delivered with the help of local partners and driven by SEGRO employees, will focus on the core objectives of helping young and disadvantaged people into employment; supporting the growth of local economies; and delivering projects that enhance biodiversity and the local environment.
Over a ten-year period, SEGRO has set the target of achieving the following outcomes from the first round of community investment plans:
David Sleath, Chief Executive Officer, SEGRO, said:
“Above and beyond simply behaving as a responsible neighbour, we aim to be a force for societal and environmental good, particularly across the communities where we operate. We believe we can achieve this by delivering bespoke, local, on-the-ground support to improve the lives of those most in need.
“We have established relationships with a range of partners who have knowledge and insight of the most pressing local challenges and the reach to help us deliver a structured and measurable programme, which we believe will make a real and positive difference.”
The initiatives will include local work programmes to help disadvantaged, unemployed and vulnerable members of the community to change their lives through access to training, skills and employment support. This will be delivered by working with schools to help young people from diverse backgrounds develop their employability skills, and by educating and inspiring them on a wide range of careers.
SEGRO will also involve the local community in the adoption of environmental and biodiversity measures in its development programme, and fund community organisations to deliver projects that engage in environmental as well as health and wellbeing activities.
Investment into individual initiatives will typically be made over a three-year period. Among the first tranche of community projects and organisations to benefit from SEGRO’s funding are:
Groundwork
Groundwork is a charity mobilising practical community action on poverty and the environment across the UK. Its partnership with SEGRO will focus on delivering a skills programme which will support routes into employment through practical real-life experience working on local green space projects. The six-week programme will be targeted at the long term unemployed, unskilled or low skilled workers and those who are below the poverty line.
Sarah Reece-Mills, Partnerships and Programmes Director, Groundwork UK, said:
“We’re delighted to be working in partnership with SEGRO to make a real difference to young people’s employment prospects across the country. Together, we will be able to give them the skills they need to be at the forefront of a green economy, by supporting them to access jobs that improve the local environment and protect biodiversity.”
Shaw Trust
Shaw Trust is a social purpose organisation focused on breaking down barriers to enable social mobility. SEGRO will partner with Shaw Trust and the businesses in its supply chain to maximise employment opportunities for local people, providing pre-interview support, qualifications and training, apprenticeships and recruitment advice for employers.
Gavin Lawrie, Employer Services Director, Shaw Trust, said:
“Shaw Trust is excited to be working in partnership with SEGRO on this initiative. This kind of opportunity is integral to Shaw Trust’s mission of creating clear pathways into good work for the disadvantaged people we work with. Finding ways to create social value for organisations and maximise every pound invested will help to strengthen the local communities which we serve.”
Notes to editors:
The initial community investment plans cover the markets in the UK, France, Germany and Poland.
About SEGRO
SEGRO is a UK Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), listed on the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Paris, and is a leading owner, manager and developer of modern warehouses and industrial property. It owns or manages 9.6 million square metres of space (103 million square feet) valued at £21.3 billion serving customers from a wide range of industry sectors. Its properties are located in and around major cities and at key transportation hubs in the UK and in seven other European countries.
For over 100 years SEGRO has been creating the space that enables extraordinary things to happen. From modern big box warehouses, used primarily for regional, national and international distribution hubs, to urban warehousing located close to major population centres and business districts, it provides high-quality assets that allow its customers to thrive.
A commitment to be a force for societal and environmental good is integral to SEGRO’s purpose and strategy. Its Responsible SEGRO framework focuses on three long-term priorities where the company believes it can make the greatest impact: Championing Low-Carbon Growth, Investing in Local Communities and Environments and Nurturing Talent.