Being a responsible business isn't something we step back from when conditions get tough – Henry Boot reaffirms ESG commitment for 2026

Responsible business practice isn’t something we should step back from when conditions get tough, rather it’s exactly what helps us remain resilient as the landscape shifts. I'd encourage businesses across Yorkshire to maintain their focus on these commitments – the organisations that continue investing now will be better positioned as the market evolves. The way we manage our environmental impact, develop our people and invest in our communities is directly linked to how we as businesses create long-term value. For Henry Boot, responsible business is central to how we achieve our overarching vision. As a business that's been around since 1886, we understand that longevity comes from being willing to evolve. The environmental landscape and socio-economic issues we face today require a different response than they did even five years ago. But what hasn't changed is our belief that businesses have a responsibility beyond commercial gain – to our people, to the communities we work in, and to the environments we shape.

Serena Lang

Across the property and development sector, we're seeing how these commitments help businesses manage risk, operate more efficiently and meet the expectations of clients, planners and partners. It's about demonstrating quality, compliance and long-term value for colleagues, clients and the wider communities we operate in. These stakeholders are increasingly asking more sophisticated questions of businesses about carbon reduction, biodiversity net gain and sustainability of procurement processes. This isn't unique to Henry Boot or the property sector, however. It's becoming the baseline expectation for how businesses demonstrate their credentials and secure their long-term license to operate. The businesses that recognise this early and embed it into their operations will be better positioned to compete and grow.

Serena Lang

2025 has been a really positive year of progress across several of our responsible business priorities. However, as with any business in real estate and construction, the path to decarbonisation is rarely straightforward. What we've learned is that no single solution delivers on all our objectives – some interventions scale faster than others, some require more investment, and some depend on supply chain readiness that's beyond our direct control. That's the reality of pursuing ambitious targets in this industry. The important thing is that we've maintained focus even when implementation has proved more complex than anticipated, and we're using those insights to develop more robust and focused targets for our 2026 strategy. Progress on ESG rarely follows a straight line. It’s the setbacks and complexities where the real learning happens. The businesses that will come out stronger are those that stay committed to the agenda and keep investing even when the path forward isn't perfectly clear.

Serena Lang

We remain focused on progressing our commitments and further embedding responsible business principles across the group. We can’t afford to stand still, so we’re focused on building on what we've achieved and setting ourselves even more ambitious goals for the future.

Serena Lang