New Role Saves Energy For Barchester's Sustainability Drive

Newly appointed Energy and Environment Manager, Ben Collard, has been recruited to implement and drive forward part of Barchester’s new sustainability agenda to reduce energy consumption across its care homes.

Ben joins the Property Service team at an exciting time as the company builds 13 new care homes across theUKthat will all open by the end 2012. Barchester, keen to become a market leader in developing environmentally friendly buildings within the care sector, is also committed to modifying the properties in its portfolio.

Bill Wilson, Director of Property Services at Barchester, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Ben on board. The major part of the role is to increase energy efficiency awareness across as part of our carbon reduction pledge. We have already been doing a fair amount in this area, and, as it is so important, we decided to appoint someone with a wealth of experience that can dedicate all their time to it.”

Ben has already started visiting some of the 220 Barchester care homes, and said “I am really looking forward to influencing behaviours and informing homes how they can take a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach. Each home presents its own challenge to reducing energy consumption but identifying and solving common issues is vitally important. Implementing metering and monitoring systems will be key to cutting energy consumption within the care environment.”

Before joining Barchester, Ben worked as a director of North east based gfw-Renewables where he was instrumental in project managing wind energy, solar photovoltaic (PV) and renewable heat projects for landowners and rural businesses across the north of England. 

Prior to this, Ben was an Energy Specialist for Renew at the Centre for Process Innovation on Teesside where he designed, managed and delivered a renewable energy feasibility programme more than 50 regional SMEs across a wide range of renewable technologies.

Ben is also studying for an MSc in renewable energy and enterprise management at the University of Newcastle, which he completes in 2013.