Members Q+A: Steven Rawding at Richard Irvin Facilities Management

Steven Rawding at Richard Irvin Facilities Management

Health, Safety, Environment, Quality Management and Compliance Director at Richard Irvin Facilities Management, Steven Rawding, discusses the importance of collaboration and why forward thinking ESG companies can always do more.

ESGmark®: Richard Irvin FM has a very comprehensive ESG agenda. What was the original driver for this?

Steven Rawding (SR): During our routine management review of our organisation we were aware our ESG targets were increasingly more complex and challenging. Our client base expects exceptional pro-active ESG alignment and performance. We have further refined our agenda focusing on creating an internal ESG committee, enhancing environmental training, talent development strategies, talent diversification, lifecycle/re-use/recycling innovation and collaborative enablement from our stakeholders, suppliers, partners and clients.

ESGmark®: Richard Irvin FM worked with two sustainability consultants to ensure that your strategy is credible and effective. Were there any surprises or key learnings that came out of that process?

SR: With sustainability I believe it is key you always strive to understand what you didn’t know you didn’t know. It is all to easy to focus on topical easy wins, meaningless jargon and empty victories which are askew to a true ESG path. It always surprises and amazes me how far and deep the ESG thread is embedded in organisations. A key learning output was the fundamental need for an effective internal ESG community within our organisation which learns and promotes successes of other organsiations and their communities.

ESGmark®: In 2020 Richard Irvin FM streamlined its supply chain to just 40% of its original supplier list. Part of the process was vetting suppliers' own environmental and sustainability goals; in the 2 years since how have you found this shortened list of high quality suppliers has changed the way you do business?

SR: Richard Irvin FM Limited conducted a project best buy initiative where we created a PQQ and tender return for suppliers cognizant and weighted on our E & S Agenda. Since streamlining we have managed to eradicate single use plastic from our highest volume supplies. Working with like minded suppliers broadens the relationship beyond transactional into transformational activities which are I believe better for all.

ESGmark®: What are Richard Irvin FM's long term goals in terms of its sustainability strategy?

SR: As we are a building services organisation (Hard facilities management) we have the opportunity to not only improve our own sustainable business practices but that of our clients, understanding what great ESG performance looks like internally will ensure we provide transformational advice and projects to our clients in an informed way.

ESGmark®: What do you see as the main challenges facing companies as they seek to be both more environmentally and socially responsible?

SR: The main challenges I believe are solely commitment based, individuals within organisations are all to often focused on their own task, delivery and agenda whereas ESG requires broader collaborative logic therefore for the most part has to be driven and facilitated by business leaders and senior management who are willing to engage with like minded partners (like the ESG Mark community) who can help them navigate the bear traps.

ESGmark®: What advice would you give other organisations looking to make a start of their own ESG strategy?

SR: Make a start it is irrelevant where start is for your organistaion only that you make it, conduct a review and create meaningful, informed and realistic targets. ESG progression will never be to the detriment of anything in your company as you will always agree the path, it will only ever offer insight and opportunities for sustainable and value driven improvement.


ESGmark®: You are personally very well versed in sustainability - you're a Fellow of the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment and Vice Chair of Building Engineering Services Association. Where does your interest in this area come from?

SR: I grew up and live rurally where the natural world is less taken for granted, I love nature and have been obsessed with the dynamics of the Earth, Geology, energy resources and life systems from an early age. I have worked in the energy and renewables sector and have witnessed first-hand the good, the bad and the truly ugly.

ESGmark®: What are you reading at the moment?

SR: I am currently reading “From Strength to Strength” by Arthur C Brooks “finding success, happiness and deep purpose in the second half of life”. The book considers happiness and fluidity versus crystallized intelligence as we age. Going deep on the forces which hold us back; addiction to work and perceived success, attachment of worldly rewards and fear of decline. The idea is that we pivot these forces to recognize the need for building better personal relationships, starting a spiritual journey of some sort and embracing weakness.

My two favorite quotes from the book are:

1. “Adopt parts of life that will make you happy, even if they don’t make you special”.

2. “Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad”.

For more on Richard Irvin Facilities Management, head over to their website.

Speaking to our members is central to keeping the ESGmark® community connected - read our other interviews with Dandelion on holistic branding, Spark and Bloom on business’ responsibility to take action or Prosody London on natural fragrance and business karma.