Stonewater bolsters leadership team to deliver on net zero agenda
Leading housing provider Stonewater has taken another step towards achieving its sustainability goals by appointing a new Assistant Director of Environment and Sustainability.
Adam Masters, who has more than 10 years’ experience leading on energy efficiency and sustainability projects across social housing, has been promoted to the role and will be responsible for overseeing the provider’s environmental strategy.
The appointment follows news of Stonewater, in partnership with Shropshire Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, being awarded more than half a million pounds from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) to improve the energy performance of nearly 70 homes.
Commenting on the appointment, Patrick Chauvin, Executive Director of New Homes at Stonewater, said: “From the Energy Superhub Oxford project to us achieving the Gold SHIFT accreditation, Adam has played an integral role in spearheading us towards our ambitions of improving the energy efficiency of our homes and minimising our overall impact on the environment.
“Delivering on our sustainability objectives requires us to continue challenging ourselves and adopting the right technologies and approaches for our customers. Whilst we still have some way to go, I’m confident that Adam is the right person to lead us on this journey.”
In addition to the creation of Adam’s new role, Stonewater is also looking to bolster its sustainability team by appointing six specialist Sustainability Business Partners. This includes one for each of the organisation’s directorates (development, customer experience, homes and finance), as well as a partner to oversee water efficiency and another to manage Stonewater’s materials and supply chain.
Taking this approach will put Stonewater in a unique position to truly embed sustainability throughout the organisation.
Adam added: “A core focus for us, especially given the current climate, is exploring how we can further reduce the running cost of our homes for our customers, allowing them to sustain their tenancies more easily. In conjunction with this, we want to bring as many customers as we can on our retrofit journey to create advocacy and tackle any misconceptions people may have around low-carbon alternatives.
“I’m really pleased with what we’ve been able to achieve to date but looking forward to scaling up our retrofit plans with the team and deliver on our commitment to do the right thing for our customers and the environment.”
On the funding announcement, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Tackling the climate emergency gives us an opportunity to invest in projects which really make a difference to peoples’ lives.
“It’s vital that we ensure no one is left behind in the transition to a net zero economy and that all communities feel the benefit.
“Improving energy efficiency in homes will not only help our region lower its carbon emissions, but it will also enable people to save money on their ever-increasing bills, tackle fuel poverty and create new skilled jobs.”
Ian Nellins, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for climate change, natural assets and the green economy, said: “We want to keep people warm and well in their homes, whether they are tenants or owner-occupiers.
“Fuel poverty is a real concern, and we are pleased to be able to offer access to the resources available for people to better protect themselves and retrofit appropriate energy saving measures for their homes.
"Shropshire Council is leading the way in securing this combination of funds and we are determined to help ease people out of the difficulties of fuel poverty.”