This week, we co-hosted an interactive workshop with Stepnell to help attendees consider the challenges of sustainability standards, as well as engage with peers from across the industry.
With an early rallying cry that “net zero is impossible in isolation,” the session was a collaborative “listening exercise,” designed to understand the regional supply chain’s current position and identify the support they need to thrive. Led by Jennie Pollard (Strategic Sustainability Manager, Stepnell) and Dan August (Group Buyer, Stepnell), the morning was facilitated by Tan Knowles (North West Regional Business Development Manager, Stepnell) and Preston Partnership to a range of local and regional businesses.
The event acted as a networking catalyst, fostering new relationships between local architects, consultants, and suppliers who identified opportunities for mutually beneficial working partnerships.
The advantage of the group approach to activities such as the ESG Maturity Assessment, was the resulting collaborative feeling in the room. The room came alive with conversation as participants used a RAG framework to score their businesses against six key focus areas, an activity which will help Stepnell identify blockers like technical data gaps and client specification constraints.
One attendee commented that the information being shared “makes you think about what you can do in your own company, and what you can achieve working with others.” The strategic role of design partners was a key takeaway from the session. Even when restricted by client budgets, architects and consultants are the primary stewards of a building’s sustainability legacy.
Businesses at the event also benefited from direct access to the Stepnell Procurement and Sustainability teams, and the opportunity to influence their 2027 supply chain strategy.
The insights gathered will be used by Stepnell to build a mentorship and upskilling hub—providing the templates and workshops the local supply chain actually needs to remain competitive.
Tan Knowles said,
‘Participant feedback clearly shows that open discussion and collaboration genuinely allow people to work more closely and effectively together. By creating space for honest conversations, we strengthen relationships and drive more meaningful outcomes across our projects.
As a business relatively new to the region, this was a particularly positive experience for us. It’s been a great way to get to know local businesses purposefully and supportively, helping us build strong foundations for future partnership working. We’re committed to continuing this approach: working with Preston Partnership and our supply chain partners to deliver sustainable outcomes and long-term value for the communities we serve.’
Are you interested in collaborating on a special interest event with Preston Partnership? Get in touch to discuss how we may work together.
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