We have created a new role for a new Green Funding Manager to unlock funding opportunities for retrofit work on our properties.
Tim Wotton has been appointed to the position after previously working as our Partnership and Funding Manager.
The appointment comes as we prepare to launch our new environmental strategy which aims to beat the government’s target of boosting the energy efficiency of our homes.
Tim will be responsible for drawing in funding to help us achieve our aim of ensuring our existing homes reach an Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) rating of band C and above by 2028 – two years ahead of the proposed government target of 2030.
Managing over 38,000 homes across the region, we are one of the first housing associations in the country to have launched an environmental blueprint with measurable targets.
We have also committed to delivering our new homes to EPC band high B/low A using an enhanced fabric first approach to ensure our homes outperform current building regulations, reducing energy demand and carbon emissions.
The increased EPC rating will support the government’s ambition for the nation to become carbon neutral by 2050 and runs alongside our core ambition to provide homes, support our customers and address fuel poverty.
Tim Wotton said: “I feel very fortunate to work for an organisation which places sustainability at its heart.
“LiveWest is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its activities to create a sustainable future for our customers, employees and our families and there is a real opportunity to drive the strategy forwards by accessing funding streams.
“With local councils declaring climate emergencies across the South West and, as the largest housing provider in this region, we wanted to renew our environmental commitments in order to embed sustainability across the organisation and to assist our local authority partners to achieve the goals outlined in their Climate Action Plans.
“For us, this is about improving the energy efficiency of our homes, either through building new sustainable properties or by refurbishing existing ones.
“We have set ourselves measurable targets, increasing the energy efficiency of our homes and promoting sustainable behaviour change for both customers and colleagues which all contribute to reducing carbon emissions.
“We aim to promote sustainable solutions working with our joint venture partners to help them to meet their needs but also to contribute to creating a low-carbon economy and support thriving, vibrant communities.
“These steps demonstrate our commitment to protecting the environment for today and the future.”
Nathan Cronk, our Director of Asset Management, said: “I am delighted to welcome Tim into the team as we start to address how we meet our environmental targets.
“Tim’s role will be pivotal in helping us to tackle how we can reduce the running costs of our homes and how LiveWest will meet its challenging decarbonisation targets.”
Sustainable approaches run through the design of our offices with a purpose-built head office in Exeter connected to the local district heating network and constructed with energy efficiency in mind.
Our award-winning office in Tolvaddon, Cornwall, has an air source heat pump system, while all three offices, including our newly-refurbished centre in Weston-super-Mare, have charging points for electric vehicles.