As North East businesses push towards their Net Zero targets, construction companies in particular are leading the charge.
One such business is RE:GEN Group, the large business category and overall winner of the 2024 Ward Hadaway Fastest 50 Awards which celebrate the fastest growing businesses across the region.
RE:GEN Group is a purpose driven organisation with a strategy centred around decarbonising the social housing sector. It has become a trusted partner for housing associations including Gentoo, believe housing, Thirteen, Bernicia and Karbon Homes. Its approach combines a deep understanding of the needs of housing providers and communities with the delivery of high-quality, sustainable housing solutions.
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“Our clients trust us because we bring innovative, forward-thinking solutions that help them achieve their goals of providing safe and sustainable homes,” explains RE:GEN’s CEO Lee Francis. “We’ve aligned our business to meet the sector’s decarbonisation targets, enhancing both the energy efficiency and quality of people’s homes. The demand for these services has been extraordinary, and we’ve responded with a proactive and impactful approach.”
That demand has seen RE:GEN responsible for delivering more than one third of retrofit measures nationally, which has improved the quality of homes and, by extension, lives of thousands of people across the North East.
“Our sustainability team has been instrumental in delivering Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) works and we’ve created significant green job opportunities through the process. We’re not just improving homes - we’re improving lives by creating warmer, more energy-efficient living conditions.”
While decarbonisation offers vast potential for the region, there are challenges ahead. The shortage of skilled workers continues to impact the sector’s ability to meet demand as the need for green building projects increases.
“It’s estimated that 1,500 new skilled workers are needed annually to sustain development projects,” says Lee. “This shortage affects not just our group but also the wider supply chain, which relies heavily on SMEs to deliver projects on the ground.”
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To tackle this, RE:GEN has invested heavily in its non-profit RE:GEN Academy, which offers training and employment opportunities for those looking to enter the sector. The academy is helping to bridge the gap between the current skills shortage and the future workforce needed to meet the region’s decarbonisation goals.
Coleman James, the region’s third fastest-growing small business in this year’s Ward Hadaway Fastest 50, is also playing a pivotal role in helping the North East construction industry meet its sustainability targets. The recruitment firm specialises in finding talent for the built environment and infrastructure sectors, with a growing focus on sustainability-related roles.
Andrew Mackay, CEO of Coleman James, said: “Over the past five years, we’ve seen increasing demand for candidates with skills in green building and sustainability. From directors of sustainability to compliance officers, we’re working with talented individuals who can drive innovation and help construction businesses deliver on the government’s Net Zero agenda.”
The success of RE:GEN Group and Coleman James highlights the North East’s ability to adapt and innovate. By continuing to prioritise decarbonisation, investing in skills and fostering innovation, the region is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable construction, ensuring that business growth benefits both the environment and the communities it serves.
Nick Gholkar, executive partner for Ward Hadaway’s Newcastle office, said: “The North East has always been a hub for innovation in construction and development and, as we face the challenges of decarbonisation, this is more important than ever. What’s exciting now is the breadth of opportunities across sectors, whether it’s green energy, infrastructure or housing.
“The real strength of the North East lies in its ability to seize new opportunities. Construction firms, both large and small, are stepping up to meet the demands of the green agenda. But what’s crucial is the collaboration across the industry - whether it’s recruitment, engineering or training - to ensure construction continues to play a fundamental role in delivering sustainable growth for the region.”
* To see the 2024 North East Fastest 50 in full, click :