Cheffins has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Cambridge Independent Business Awards.
The firm’s 200-year woodland project has reached the final round of The Green Award, run by the Cambridge Independent newspaper as part of its yearly well-regarded business awards, with the winner set to be announced on 25th September at a ceremony at King’s College, Cambridge.
The project, which is part of Cheffins’ 200-year anniversary celebrations, is its most ambitious environmental initiative to date. Comprising a five-acre rewilding scheme, it includes the planting of some 2,570 native, deciduous trees to create a new woodland adjacent to Fulbourn Fen Nature Reserve. Previously used as arable land, this location was strategically selected to support biodiversity, reduce habitat fragmentation, and extend the ecological corridor of this already significant landscape. This project will not only allow for carbon offset against the firm’s emissions, but has also already provided significant ecological benefits for local wildlife. To complement the woodland, Cheffins created a native wildflower and grassland meadow beneath the trees, designed to mirror the habitat restoration work on the southern side of Fulbourn Fen.
HRH The Duke of Gloucester officially opens the Cheffins woodland
The woodland was formally opened by His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester on 3rd July, alongside the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Cambridge City Mayor Councillor and other key stakeholders.
Located only five miles from Cambridge city centre, the woodland represents Cheffins’ commitment to biodiversity and carbon capture.
Katie Hilton, Director at Cheffins who has led the project comments: “We are delighted that our woodland project has been shortlisted as a finalist in these prestigious awards. The site is already attracting pollinators, sequestering carbon, and helping us reach our energy efficiency goals, while also creating a haven for wildlife. Cheffins is committed to improving local biodiversity and carbon capture, and it is fantastic that these efforts have been recognised by the Cambridge Independent’s judging panel.”
The woodland is part of a wider philanthropic aim for Cheffins in 2025, as the firm is also looking to raise £200,000 for charity, with the majority being donated to the Addenbrookes Charitable Trust, to provide a new playroom for the Cambridge Children’s Hospital which is currently under construction.
Cheffins is also demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental sustainability with an ambition to significantly reduce its carbon footprint and address climate change. As part of this, the firm has installed solar panels at both its Cambridge and Ely sites and has also been monitoring its water consumption and promoting energy efficiency through all of its operations. As trusted advisors, Cheffins has a unique opportunity to influence and guide its clients. It promotes and provides expertise on sustainable planning, building, and land use, including advocating for energy-efficient designs, promoting green building certifications, and supporting clients in making environmentally responsible choices.
For more information on the woodland project, please contact Katie Hilton on katie.hilton@cheffins.co.uk
For those who haven't yet supported the Cheffins and ACT cause, please visit the Just Giving page here.