CPA Bulletin

www.cpa.uk.net CPA Bulletin > November 2023 29 NEWS FROM CPA MEMBERS: 7 NatWest Group Leads Free Retrofit Skills Programme for Construction Sector Shared Vision on Safety A shared vision on safety is the driving force of a successful partnership between two businesses. Speedy Asset Services has been working withWeston-super-Mare-based safety experts FHOSS for around 18 months and has taken the company’s Cycle Lane Early Warning System technology and added it to more than 200 of its HGVs. Gareth Jones, Group Fleet Compliance Manager at Speedy Asset Services, explained: “The FHOSS system shines an orange light down the nearside of the HGV to warn all vulnerable road users of the vehicle’s intention to turn left. Having an extra visual turning aid helps keep our roads safer for all. “There are limited ways for HGV drivers to communicate with other road users and pedestrians and this system really is excellent. When we introduced it to the industry, people were very impressed with the system and we are now looking at other ways in which it can be used on vehicles. We have also introduced the FHOSS Halo Exclusion around our forklift trucks, too.” NatWest Group has become the Supply Chain Sustainability School’s first Partner within the finance sector, with a shared objective of addressing climate change through building the skills of the construction industry, to retrofit the UK’s housing and non-residential buildings. Retrofit plays a critical role in achieving Net Zero. Buildings contribute 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions and as 80% of the buildings that will be standing in 2050 already exist, the UK cannot deliver against its Net Zero ambitions without significant retrofitting of its buildings. As well as carbon reduction, retrofit offers the potential to elevate the quality of life for millions while generating employment opportunities. The School, boasting over 200 Partners within the built environment industry and their supply chains, is uniquely positioned to drive positive change. Its sustainability platform offers free training to 80,000 registered users, covering retrofit as well as 17 key sustainability topics including energy and carbon, waste and circular economy and more. With NatWest Group’s strategic support, the School’s retrofit initiatives will accelerate significantly, bringing Partners together to shape the programme, share knowledge and upskill the wider industry on retrofit. Ian Heptonstall, Director of the Supply Chain Sustainability School, commented: “Our mission is to enable a sustainable built environment through knowledge and collaboration, however most of our work to date has focused on new builds. To truly fulfil our mission, we must pivot towards the existing building stock, crafting and delivering learning experiences that empower the UK to retrofit its structures with cutting-edge technologies and systems, positioning us to fulfil our Net Zero commitments. We look forward to tackling climate change through retrofit with NatWest Group.” NatWest Group aims to support the decarbonisation of UK properties. By working closely with the built environment industry, NatWest aims to build a robust supply chain to develop efficiency upgrades at scale. James Close, Head of Climate Change at NatWest Group commented: “As one of the largest lenders in the UK, we have a key role to play in supporting consumers and businesses in transitioning to more energy efficient homes and buildings that are warmer, cheaper to heat, and generate lower emissions. Decarbonising properties will require retrofitting existing buildings to increase their energy efficiency, constructing new energy efficient buildings and decarbonisation of electricity and heating supply. We want to work at scale to increase demand. But we need the skills and companies to carry out the work and we also want to make it as easy for our customers to retrofit as possible. Our collaboration with the Supply Chain Sustainability School will help cultivate a more mature retrofit supply chain, share knowledge and build the skills needed to retrofit homes and buildings across the UK.” To submit news for consideration for future issues of the CPA Bulletin, please email: lisa @ lisacollinscommunications.co.uk