Simon Hunt, commercial and services director, discussed the supply chain, sustainability and social mobility in Modern Insurance Magazine.
- Given recent supply chain pressures and instability, has incorporating ESG into your processes become more, or less challenging?
Our progress on implementing ESG strategy throughout our operations has moved from strength to strength this year, despite the challenges of global instability. I am delighted to report that, in 2023, National Windscreens achieved carbon neutrality according to ISO 14021:2017.
Whilst the supply chain has been disrupted over recent years, continued investment in storage and distribution infrastructure combined with increased stockholding has given us the platform to maintain a highly effective service to our customers and policyholders.
In the same period, we have focused on embedding ESG processes at every level of the business. I appointed Craig Gibson as our ESG manager this year. Craig has taken our offering to a new level, and our aim is to set the standard for the sector.
Our inaugural sustainability report is a crucial part of our ambitious plans. The report documents our progress and enables the business to benchmark performance, so that we can create a roadmap for emissions reduction. This means utilising the insights and data gathered, making improvements and being accountable according to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).
This data allows us to judge the environmental impact of the business, including the entire journey of the glass, across Scopes 1, 2 and 3. Assessing the impact of Scope 3 is very rare in the industry, and includes emissions from glass manufacturing and movement, employee commuting and policyholder travel to the fitting centre network.
This transparency will allow National Windscreens to track the progress and develop reduction initiatives across procurement, transportation and energy. As a business, we understand that sustainability is an ongoing journey based on accountability, measurement and continuously improving our practices, and we are excited to see the results.
- What opportunities are National Windscreens providing to support the social mobility of the employees?
Recognising the talent and ambition of team members is crucial for providing the opportunities for growth. We have a well-established pipeline for our employees to progress within the business. We are proud that all of our 14 regional operation managers were promoted from fitting centre managers, with the vast majority starting out as technicians at National Windscreens.
This growth is made possible by ensuring that intensive training is provided to new starters, alongside mentoring from experienced team members. Learning and development training cultivates interpersonal skills which supplements the technical training. This generates confidence, creativity, and autonomy through transferable skills that enhance the chances of success in business and personal life.
We are absolutely committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment. This is built upon a workplace culture in which diversity and inclusion is valued and everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
Our team work hard to ensure that National Windscreens is perceived as an attractive company, and we measure the engagement, work satisfaction and loyalty of our employees to achieve this. Bringing the best people possible into the business and providing the tools and guidance to elevate their career is at the very top of our agenda.