People’s Champion finalist 2017: EnviroBuild

Start-up name: EnviroBuild
Founders: James Brueton and Dr Aidan Bell
Started in: July 2015
Based in: London
Business description: Online supplier of sustainable building materials and environmentally friendly construction solutions

Shortlisted categories:

Retail Business of the Year, The Founders Pledge Social Impact Award

The EnviroBuild story:

An age-old industry, sustainability and good customer service aren’t actually synonymous with the construction section – and that’s what got James Brueton and Dr Aidan Bell thinking.

Having met in consulting roles at Deloitte, the duo quickly discovered that they both shared a strong passion for sustainable progression, and EnviroBuild was born.

A ‘green builders’ merchant, the London-based business sells a range of environmentally-friendly recycled and recyclable building materials, including decking, cladding and fencing.

At least 80% of products sold by EnviroBuild on its e-commerce platform, including packaging, come from recycled woods and plastics, which can be recycled and reused again.

Suppling some the UK’s largest housebuilders including the Berkeley Group, Galliard Homes and Taylor Wimpey, EnvrioBuild has also been involved in some of UK’s most exclusive hospitality projects including Malmaison Hotels and The Groucho Club in London.

While EnviroBuild’s products have been also used to help a range of schools and colleges gain the BREEAM certificate.

Firmly practising what they preach, the company’s own offices were chosen to allow easy access by bicycle for the existing employees, with 75% of the current employees regularly cycling to work, while the start-up also buys all its furniture, laptops and phones second hand.

Determined to provide “exceptional customer service”, the green merchants also donates 10% of its profits to sustainable charities, such as The Rainforest Trust, which protects endangered rain forests with the help of local communities.

Eyeing international expansion once they’ve established EnvrioBuild “as the leading sustainable construction supplier” in the UK, Bruteon and Bell currently expect to double their staff by September 2018 as well as moving to a new office.

A champion of the environment, is EnviroBuild your People’s Champion?

Why EnviroBuild made our shortlist:

Injecting some green-thinking into a very traditional industry, EnviroBuild’s impressive financials coupled with its genuine interest in philanthropy is a sign the start-up is made of strong stuff.

Already counting some of the UK’s largest housebuilders as clients, the two-year-old start-up is already looking to double its headcount and spread its green message across the globe.

Where to find out more about EnviroBuild:

Website: www.envirobuild.com
Twitter: @ENVIROBUILDcom