Raising awareness and consumer knowledge regarding how our investments, pensions and other financial aspects of life can build a cleaner future for everyone.

At the core of TEDx is the goal of discovering ideas worth spreading. Federated Hermes is equally dedicated to a new form of investment which puts the community at the core of its approach while having a positive impact on the environment. The partnership with TEDx aims to support the development or new ideas that can further improve communities in Glasgow and help the city become a hotbed of innovation, delivering solutions to some of the most pressing challenges we face.

Investing in a net carbon future

The City of Glasgow is working on ambitious plans to be the first UK city to cut greenhouse emissions to a neutral level by 2030, that includes Liveable Neighbourhoods - Glasgow City Council, a 10-year plan for improved walking and cycling spaces across the City.

Glasgow is also part of a UK research report by Liminal commissioned by UK Innovate The Journey to Net Zero Carbon Towns and Cities 2020. The research reveals recommendations that give organisational leaders a route map to action and fundamentally change behaviour in meeting the City’s carbon neutral climate target.

As the owner of Skypark, one of Scotland’s biggest business destinations, Federated Hermes is an early example on the outcomes of Liminal’s research; by investing in a collaboration with TEDx Glasgow, to facilitate conversations so that leaders can work on a framework that can be shared to ensure that Glasgow can fulfil its commitment.

In placemaking, it considers the environmental and social impacts of all its investments and is an early adopter of a carbon neutral journey in Glasgow, in prioritising tenant access to cycling ahead of Glasgow’s first cycling village aspiration for Yorkhill, Kelvingrove and Finnieston where Skypark is located. A 10-year Liveable Neighbourhood plan will bring active travel and commuting programs alongside state of the art cycling facilities where our tenants can enjoy reinvigorated streetscapes, enhanced local architectural heritage, green spaces within the local environment, resulting in better public spaces and improved health for all.

Skypark is a vibrant 560,000 sq ft business campus located on the western fringe of Glasgow. Comprised over 6 buildings, it houses 32 businesses across the office, research, light manufacturing and leisure sectors.

Federated Hermes, a leader in responsible investment and the developer behind Skypark, approaches real estate by investing in places rather than buildings. This means creating places where people want to play, work and live. For each area and place, the requirements are different.

Although the UN Sustainable Development Goals are highly interdependent, the primary goal that Skypark is most closely aligned to is the eleventh, which is to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. This goal sits at the core of successful real estate investment.

From a sustainability perspective, it is essential to provide tenants and their employees with the opportunity to minimise their carbon footprint by encouraging cycling to work. Alongside the City’s biggest private business cycle facility, Skypark is recognised by Cycling Scotland for making cycling to work easier and holds a Platinum Certification by CyclingScore for a best-in-class cycle friendly infrastructure. Facilities include eBike charging points, 236 lockers, segregated showers and changing facilities, a drying room, a dedicated cycle repair space. Working with partners including Cycling Scotland, CyclingScore and Bike for Good, they offer all employers the support to access cycling.

A fundamental aspect of successful real estate development is in creating and investing in a sustainable community that can build a cleaner future for all that live, work and play as part of it. Founded in 1997, Skypark is a benchmark for how sustainable communities can be fostered through carefully considered investment. The conversations are ongoing so that leaders can work on a framework that can be shared to ensure that the city can fulfil its commitment. Their ultimate aim is to set the standard for sustainable community development within the commercial real estate industry.

Fraser Proctor, Blythe and Blythe

Skypark tenant, Fraser Proctor of Blythe and Blythe said:

“The opening of this new cycle store facility is tremendous for those who currently cycle, but equally provides an opportunity for those who don’t cycle at the moment. The store houses racks to suit every style of bike with simple to use lockers in a range of sizes to store all your gear. There’s a plethora of high-quality tools provided for any issues which may arise during the morning commute, and don’t forget the spacious individual shower cubicles and changing facilities.
“I can also see the space becoming a cycle social hub when offices return, where other users will no doubt aid anyone new to the game. This is the dream cycle store and should be replicated in other office buildings to encourage and promote this environmentally sound method of transport which of course provides mental and physical benefits to those who engage. In other words, it’s a cracking wee store that even Greta Thunberg would be proud of!”

Investing in health and wellbeing for environmental impact