Sustainability is a Family Value
What family wouldn’t want to secure a sustainable future for generations yet to be born? That seems perfectly natural, doesn’t it? Perhaps that’s why being a family-owned, family-run construction business gives Osborne a different perspective.
The essence of every business is defined by values and priorities. Sometimes these only become clear when difficult decisions have to be made. Priorities become tested when the competing needs of different stakeholders have to be satisfied.
Doing What’s Right for the Future
In the case of a family-owned business, the landscape of values and competing priorities is easier to negotiate. If the leadership of the company decides that our priority is to deliver sustainable projects with sustainable outcomes – then that’s what we do.
Commercial realities still apply – we can’t deliver anything without a financially sustainable business. But, we can also think longer-term. We don’t have to be driven by the next quarter’s earnings reports and what that might mean for the share price or shareholder value.
Localism Defines Us
Localism is also a critical part of who we are. The south of England is our home. The communities improved by the assets we build and supported by the social value we create are the ones our people live in. They are part of our heritage and the fabric of the business.
This gives us an enormous sense of pride throughout the organisation. It can be the small things like hiring somebody who studied at a school or college we helped to build or who was inspired by one of our education or STEM programmes. It can be when staff or their families are supported by healthcare facilities we helped bring into existence.
All of this matters a great deal. Our legacy isn’t something abstract – it affects the places where we live and work. That’s why sustainability isn’t just one of a set of potentially competing priorities – it’s at the very core of our business, guiding every decision we make.
If you would like to ask us any questions about our commitment to sustainability, contact Caroline Compton-James ([email protected]).
