Copyright expressandstar
The Fort Dunlop Sustainability Network, founded by communications consultancy Whistle PR and supported by building manager Savills, brings together like-minded businesses to pursue shared environmental, social and governance (ESG) ambitions. What began in October 2024 as a simple idea from a small business has flourished into a thriving and action-focused forum. The network has met quarterly in its first year and now counts more than 10 regular organisations among its members, including AX-UK, Balfour Beatty Vinci, Consilium, G&P, ITG, Novelis, Teleste and Woods Hardwick. Each session includes external speakers, collaborative planning and peer-led updates, with the aim being to share best practice, identify opportunities to collaborate and influence wider change across the building and the region. The network was initiated and is co-led by Whistle, whose internal sustainability steering group – Amy Ahmed-Dolphin, Claire Saltmarshe and Alice Wilson – has been the driving force behind its development. Their shared commitment to influencing others, one of Whistle’s three ESG pillars, helped shape both the purpose and the collaborative spirit of the network. Amy Ahmed-Dolphin, senior account director and head of ESG communications at Whistle, said: “As a small consultancy, we know we can’t change the world; but this network shows that by harnessing the appetite among tenants to run more sustainable operations, we can help create a much bigger impact together. “On a purely personal note, one of the unexpected joys of this network has been simply getting to know our neighbours better. It’s created a real sense of connection across the building. “The network’s desire as we enter our second year is to encourage more tenants to join so that we can push sustainability initiatives even further.” Since launching, the network has welcomed guest speakers from Sustainability West Midlands, The Air Ambulance and Aztec Solar Energy as well as holding a joint volunteering day where 11 employees across five businesses spent 30-plus hours improving local green space with the Community Environmental Trust. It has also coordinated an IT recycling initiative, collecting 36 computers, 27 mobile phones, seven tablets and 61 desk phones for reuse through The Air Ambulance’s tech donation scheme; as well as providing a platform for tenants like ITG and Whistle to relay their individual ESG journeys and lessons learned Building on Savills’ work to date around energy performance upgrades – including the installation of 379 solar panels in February 2025 and a commitment for Fort Dunlop to reach an EPC rating of B – members have also contributed to conversations around communal waste stream improvements, wildflower planting across the Birmingham site and recycling office furniture through initiatives such as A Good Thing. Looking ahead, the group plans further volunteering efforts, a group site visit to understand more about waste minimisation, plus sessions on embedding ESG in the supply chain, and climate resilience and adaptation. Wildflower walks, centralised recycling points and themed meetings on digital emissions and ethical procurement are also in the offing. Nick Batt, Savills’ building manager for Fort Dunlop, said: “Fort Dunlop has a unique mix of businesses, from SMEs to multinationals. Collaborating closely with our tenants is crucial as we strive for excellence in sustainability and ensure that Fort Dunlop continues to thrive. “We’re proud of the progress so far and grateful to all the businesses taking part – especially those helping shape the network.”
