Corporate responsibility

Through collaborative, science-based research, we develop digital products, services, standards, and qualifications that are adopted around the world to drive positive change. Responsibility - amongst ourselves, towards our customers and wider society - is at the heart of our purpose. We apply a responsible business ethos to every aspect of our organisation. We are governed by the BRE Group Board of Directors, made up of experienced senior business leaders, who guide, review and approve BRE Group’s business plans that are developed by the Executive Team. We are wholly owned by the charity BRE Trust whose governance model is adopted from the Charity Governance Code for larger charities. The governing body comprises up to ten Trustees at any point in time and typically meets 4 times a year. T he BRE Trust invests it's profit into research programmes for public benefit and upgrading our research facilities at the BRE Science Park.

Our values

We’re an ambitious business. Our teams take responsibility for the integrity of our science and solutions, while providing value for our customers and stakeholders. Our values help guide us:

• We are ambitious for the planet, our clients, our business and our team

• We take responsibility for the integrity of our science and the development of collaborative solutions to global challenges

• We provide value for our customers, their customers, economies and society

• We work as a whole team and with others. We know that diversity leads to better teamwork, better ideas, and better answers

• We have a positive influence in everything we do, through which we earn our reputation as the leading building science centre

• We deliver value to our customers through profitable and sustainable solutions.

Sustainable solutions at the heart of our corporate responsibility

Our research and certification have revolutionised the environmental impact and energy consumption of buildings across the world. Our BREEAM standards support our clients in being more sustainable throughout the design, development, and life of their buildings. We also provide an extensive range of services including certification, testing,expert witness, standards, research, training, and advisory covering all aspects of the built environment and associated industries. And, as a profit-for-purpose organisation, the profit we make is ploughed back into the business, so we can continue to invest in building safety and sustainability. We are certified to ISO 14001 (environmental management systems), ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety management), and ISO 9001 (quality management systems). Our continuous improvement approach to environmental management is guided by our Environmental Policy and carbon reduction plan (CRP), confirming our commitment to avoid adverse environmental impacts, maximise positive impact and achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Our Quality Policy enables consistency in the delivery of our services, helps to increase the productivity and efficiency of all processes, and helps with identifying and addressing risks. We are also certified to the Government backed Cyber Essentials Plus scheme.

Supporting diversity and inclusivity 

We promote a diverse, inclusive and equal working environment:

• We promote two-way engagement and actively listen to our colleagues’ views through quarterly surveys.

• We have EDI working groups that foster understanding and mutual respect for our differences

• We are a signatory to BITC’s  Race at Work Charter to help improve the quality of opportunity for Black, Asian, Mixed Race and other ethnically diverse people

• We have a zero-tolerance approach towards discrimination, bullying and harassment and we are committed to appointing, developing, and rewarding colleagues fairly and objectively.

• Our Colleague Forum provides a safe and collaborative space for colleagues to discuss their honest perspectives on topics that affect the people they represent

• Our ‘Ask the CEO’ channel provides all colleagues with a direct line to leaders, with questions and responses shared on our intranet. At BRE we also have group-level policies supporting diversity and wellbeing including:

• Equal opportunities

• Dignity at work

• Speaking up

• Whistleblowing

• Code of conduct and ethics. Occupational health and safety is embedded in our processes to help reduce workplace incidents, reduce absenteeism and employee turnover, and create a proactive health and safety culture.

Sharing our expertise

Neighbourly, a social enterprise platform for volunteering.