Cheffins has been named the winner of the Green Award at the Cambridge Independent Business Awards, held on 25 September at Kings College, Cambridge, in recognition of its ambitious woodland rewilding scheme and the wider programme of sustainable initiatives being rolled out across the business.
The firm triumphed over strong competition, including Cambridge Past, Present & Future and the Hilton Cambridge City Centre, making the accolade all the more special in Cheffins’ 200th anniversary year.
At the heart of its sustainability work is a five-acre woodland at Fulbourn, just outside Cambridge, where 2,500 trees have been planted to enhance biodiversity and support carbon capture. Officially opened in July by HRH The Duke of Gloucester, the project was developed in partnership with Natural England, the Forestry Commission and The Wildlife Trust, and forms part of Cheffins’ bicentenary celebrations. The woodland is one of a series of green initiatives introduced by the firm, alongside measures such as solar panel installation and other environmental improvements.
Katie Hilton, Director at Cheffins, said:
“As part of our 200-year anniversary we are making a commitment to future generations across the region. The woodland project is just one part of a significant programme of initiatives we have delivered this year. We have also pledged £200,000 to charity, with the majority of the funding going to the new Cambridge Children’s Hospital.”
In addition, Philip Woolner, former Partner at Cheffins won the Lifetime Achievement Award for his over 30-year career in the Cambridge commercial property market, as well as his contributions to charity in the local region. An ambassador for the Cambridge Community Foundation, Philip has driven many of Cheffins' charitable efforts alongside setting up the firm's commercial property division in 1998.
For further information on the award and Cheffins' charitable work to date, please contact Sophie Richardson, PR Manager, on sophie.richardson@cheffins.co.uk