Social value

Building a sustainable future

Sustainability is at the core of everything we do at Sutcliffe. We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and promoting resource efficiency through every stage of our projects. By incorporating eco-friendly materials, innovative construction techniques, and adhering to our ISO 14001 accreditation, we ensure that our work contributes to a greener, more sustainable future.

In our offices, we are moving towards a paperless environment and encouraging recycling among all staff. Onsite, we employ Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and lean engineering processes to minimise waste and enhance sustainability. These efforts are part of our broader strategy to embed sustainability into every aspect of our operations.

Supporting local communities

Our commitment to CSR extends beyond environmental sustainability—we are deeply invested in the social well-being of the communities where we operate. Sutcliffe actively supports local charities and initiatives, with all staff encouraged to volunteer and contribute their time to causes that matter.

In 2022, we pledged to generate £48,103 of social value, a goal we surpassed by delivering £88,347 of social impact through 66 outcomes. This included significant contributions to food, fuel, and furniture poverty initiatives, directly supporting those hardest hit by the cost of living crisis.

In 2023, we launched the inaugural Sutcliffe Charity Spring Ball, raising over £51,000 in support of Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Trust. These funds helped implement the SWAN model of care, ensuring excellent end-of-life and bereavement care for patients and their families across the Liverpool City Region. This is just one example of how our fundraising efforts are directed towards causes that have a profound impact on our local community.

Since 2020, we have dedicated 60% of our operations to non-profit housing associations, a strategic move that amplifies our mission of achieving profit with purpose. This approach not only supports local communities but also ensures that wealth is channelled back into areas where it is most needed, helping to build a safer, more inclusive society.

Empowering the next generation of engineers

Sutcliffe is committed to nurturing the next generation of engineers through education, training, and community engagement. We actively support local schools and universities by providing work experience placements, guest lectures, mentoring, and career advice. Our goal is to promote social mobility by offering accessible routes into the engineering industry, particularly for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Since 2020, we have dedicated 1860 hours to STEM outreach, with a focus on achieving gender balance and rectifying underrepresentation in the construction industry by 2030. We also participated in the Kickstart Scheme, which has made us a top choice for school leavers in the Liverpool City Region. In 2022 alone, we provided 380 hours of work experience to local youth, including seven full-time placements and 18 short-term experiences.

We allocate approximately 4% of our turnover to initiatives that promote education, training, and community engagement, ensuring that our CSR efforts are not just an add-on, but a fundamental part of our business strategy.

Our ongoing commitment

At Sutcliffe, our CSR policy is reviewed annually to ensure that we are continuously working towards creating vibrant, sustainable local communities. We are committed to leaving a lasting legacy through our work, building a future that is not only prosperous but also equitable and sustainable for all.

By aligning our business operations with our CSR commitments, Sutcliffe exemplifies what it means to be a responsible, forward-thinking company. Our dedication to sustainability, community support, and educational initiatives reflects our belief that true success is measured not just in financial terms, but in the positive impact we have on the world around us.