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At Heron Bros, we recognise that our responsibilities extend beyond profitability. We understand that our actions have significant implications for our stakeholders.
We have therefore placed sustainability at the core of our business strategy to ensure we continue to challenge our business and industry to drive the sustainable growth required.
We are already using sustainability to drive efficiency through our processes, engage with our stakeholders, to develop our people, our expertise and our knowledge. We have set ourselves some challenging goals over the coming years and will continue to monitor, measure and report on our performance.
Community & Partnering 2024
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
3
Good Health and Well-Being
4
Quality Education
8
Decent Work and Economic Growth
9
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
11
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Considerate Constructors Scheme average score of 44/50
£121,500
Charitable donations of sponsorship, benefit in kind, good will donated in 2024
49
Organisations supported
Social-Economic Impact Employment
5
recruitment open days
4360
hours of supply chain training
100%
of social value employment weeks achieved
Community Initiatives
- 16 Initiatives
- 165 Participants in Community Initiatives
- 4,562 Hours
- £3,442.23 Fundraised for Community Groups
Education, Community and Partnering
- Bee Bricks installed on projects & wildflowers planted
- Organised 15 interactive STEM workshops for students
- Multiple guided site tours delivered for Primary and Secondary School Pupils
- Swift Bricks Installed
- Wildflower meadows created
- Hosted community bird feeder building events
- Set up community projects to create habitats for local wildlife
Education Initiatives
1,060
Student reached through engagements
30
Education engagements
77
Training hours
Leadership Initiatives
- 7 Responsible leadership events
- 360 Hours dedicated
Volunteering Initiatives
- 5 Volunteering events
- 410 Hours dedicated
Valuing People 2024
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
4
Quality Education
9
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
8
Decent Work and Economic Growth
3
Good Health and Well Being
People
24%
female representation (above industry average)
76%
male workforce within the company
100%
staff supported in flexible working
58%
of staff have a minimum degree standard education qualification
65%
of employees working at Heron Bros have 5+ years of service
Wellbeing Initiatives
24 Health and Wellbeing Initiatives Delivered
4416 Staff and Supply Chain Participation
Training
118 Employee & Supply Chain Training Courses Completed
6065 Hours of Training Completed
Diversity & Inclusion
Diversity & Inclusion- 5 Diversity Initiatives Delivered Between 1st September 2023 and August 31st 2024
- Hosted site visit from Womenstec and Women In Construction Network
Diversity Mark
- Provide Equality and Diversity Training to All Staff and Achieved Diversity Mark Bronze
Apprenticeships
79
Apprenticeships
4,108
Apprenticeships Weeks Delivered
10
Apprenticeships Types Supported
New Entrants
New Entrants- 44 New Entrants Between September 1st 2023 and August 31st 2024
- 1313 New Entrants Weeks Delivered
- 25 New Entrant Types Supported
Inspection and Reporting
- 2578 HBL site H&S inspections
- 213 Independant H&S Inspections
- 4 Quarterly Safety Management Team Meetings
- 10 Safety stand downs
As a result of our ongoing inspections, monitoring and communication processes, we have achieved a 32% reduction in accident incidents.
Environmental Management 2023-24
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
7
Affordable and Clean Energy
11
Sustainable Cities and Communities
13
Climate Action
Waste Management
99.98% of waste diverted from landfill
NI Environmental Benchmarking Survey
Platinum
Water Usage
Average Per 100k 5.21m3
Average Per Site 8256m3
Energy and Carbon
Heron Bros remains ahead of its long-term net-zero pathway, with actual carbon intensity falling faster than projected. Early action on renewable energy sources, material efficiency and supply-chain engagement has delivered sustained reductions, giving us a strong foundation to meet future commitments and continue leading responsible, low-carbon construction.
Heron Energy
Heron Energy continue to advance a diversified pipeline of solar, wind and battery-storage projects across Northern Ireland, strengthening the region’s progress towards a more resilient and sustainable energy system. By harnessing the full potential or renewable technologies and investing in future-focused infrastructure, the business is helping to reduce reliance on traditional power sources while supporting Northern Ireland’s long-term ambition for secure, low-carbon energy generation.
Biodiversity & Sustainable Construction
Enhancing existing habits: We work to improve the quality of the grassland by planting native wildflowers and creating a more diverse plant community.
Creating new habitats: We establish new areas of woodland and wetland to increase habitat diversity.
Installing ecological features: We support local biodiversity by installing bird boxes, bat boxes, insect hotel, swift and bee bricks, and continue our work with charities like Lislagan Farm.
Sustainable Timber: 100% of all timber comes from FSC/PEFC Approved Suppliers.
Responsible Business 2023-24
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
4
Quality Education
13
Environmental Protection
7
Affordable and Clean Energy
Subcontractor Breakdown
Subcontractors – 100%
100% of Tier 1 subcontractors committed to paying the Real Living Wage, supporting fair work and staff retention across the supply chain.
Carbon Literacy Training
Accredited Training Provided to All Staff & Supply Chain
65% Supply Chain Members Trained
Improving Supply Chain Performance
An overall increase in inspections in the last 4 years has led to a 32% decrease in accidents and incidents.
Sustainable Timer
100% of all Timber Sourced in 2023 Comes from an FSC/PEFC Approved Supplier.
Socio-Economic Impact
49
Social Enterprises Partnered or Engaged With
92%
Of Supply Chain Classified as SMEs, with £108.9m Total Supply Chain Spend
53%
Of Suppliers Appointed to Heron Bros Projects in 2024 are Located Within 30 Miles of Projects
95%
Of Suppliers Appointed to Heron Bros Projects in 2024 are Located Within 50 Miles of Projects
Top Achievements 2024
- Investors in People Platinum UK Employer of the year 2023
- BITC NI Biodiversity Chartership Bronze
- CCS Partner
- BITC CORE 2024 BITC CORE Platinum Responsible Business
- Winner 2024 BITC NI Responsible Business Ambassador Valuing People
- BITC Take 5 Accreditation
2024 Awards
NI Safety Group
John Gordon Award for Dedication to H&S
Health & Safety Award
RoSPA Gold
Plant & Civil Engineering Overall H&S Winner
CCS National Site Awards
3 HBL sites achieved Silver award
Irish News Workplace and Employability Awards
Best Digital Transformation Award Innovation
2024 Heritage Angels Awards
Highly Commended – Best Major Regeneration of an Historic Building or Place over £1 million Restoration -Templemore Baths
2024 Standards
Investors in People Platinum
BITC NI Environmental Benchmark Platinum
BITC NI Biodiversity Chartership Bronze
Diversity Mark NI Bronze
ROSPA Gold
ISO 50001 – Energy Management
BITC NI Take 5 Accreditation
All Ireland Bee Pollinator Supporter
