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Sustainability in SMEs: How one company is leading the way
One of Denton’s interiors for Stevens & Bolton LLP, Guildford
Workplace specialist Denton is showing how companies can take their responsible business strategy to the next level.
Since completing the Climate for SMEs: 4 Steps to Action course in 2024, workplace specialist Denton has been actively supporting other SMEs on their net-zero journeys.
Denton recently completed the Net-Zero Accelerator programme in partnership with Heart of the City. To further its commitment, it is now undertaking the Foundations for Responsible Business programme, aiming to fully embed responsible and sustainable practices across the business by August 2025.
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Through partnerships with CIOB, Heart of the City, SKA and other industry bodies, the company is taking its responsible business strategy to the next level.
Denton’s clients and supply chain are supported by its responsible procurement policy (RPP) and in-house Tier 1, 2, 3 Subcontractor Scheme – a new structured framework helping Denton to rapidly respond to project requirements while being sustainable.
“As interior design and fit-out specialists, our responsibility goes beyond creating great spaces. It’s also about minimising the environmental and social impact of our work.”
Richard Douglas, Denton
Denton director Richard Douglas explains: “Operating as a responsible business is about being a force for good, for the benefit of the business, clients and society.”
He continues: “As interior design and fit-out specialists, our responsibility goes beyond creating great spaces. It’s also about minimising the environmental and social impact of our work.”
For many SMEs, setting and achieving ESG targets can feel like a challenge. Limited budgets, pressure for short-term profitability, and value engineering often put sustainability at risk. Add to that the need for cultural change, clear KPIs and a fast-paced commercial environment – and it’s easy to see why progress can stall.
Despite these challenges, Denton is proving that embedding ESG into operations isn’t just possible – it’s a strategic advantage. It puts its success down to aligning ESG with its core values.
Denton’s values align with the nine principles of a sustainable society, as defined by the World Conservation Strategy – particularly Principle 6: Change Attitudes and Practices.
“It’s not about box-ticking; it’s about building a business that thrives commercially while acting responsibly and ethically,” says Douglas.
One of its ongoing challenges is balancing commercial delivery with the level of sustainability guidance typically expected from larger consultancies. Its solution? “To act as a responsible, transparent partner – one that’s just as focused on people and the planet as on profit,” says Douglas.
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