SEGRO Community Investment Plan launched to benefit thousands of local people in Slough

The plan will be delivered in partnership with six community delivery partners – Learning to Work, Groundwork South, Local Supply Chain, FEDCAP, YMCA and Slough Hub – to undertake a range of projects with the aim of achieving the following outcomes for 2022:

• 100 unemployed people will benefit from a Skills, Training and Employment Programme
• 3,500 young people will be engaged and inspired through a Schools Programme
• A pilot SME supply chain initiative, which aims to enable more local businesses to compete for supply chain opportunities on the Slough Trading Estate
• A customer connect programme – Together SEGRO – designed to promote business networking amongst 60 customers within SEGRO’s Thames Valley portfolio
• Five outdoor spaces will be reinvigorated to improve biodiversity and support community wellbeing

The Slough Community Investment Plan is a key element of the company’s Responsible SEGRO commitments to boost skills, training and employment, as well as enhancing the local environment and biodiversity in the communities where it operates across the UK and Continental Europe.

James Craddock, Managing Director, Thames Valley at SEGRO, said:

“Community investment is not just a nice to do, it is a crucial and integral part of SEGRO’s purpose and strategy. It is about doing the right thing and wanting to make a real and positive impact on the lives of people in Slough, especially those facing a range of economic, social and health barriers.

“Community investment has been at the heart of the Slough Trading Estate for over a hundred years. However, our new plan builds on this legacy, and will enable us to work with our customers, suppliers and charity partners to deliver some amazing local initiatives this year and in the years ahead.”

Pictured: (L-R) Cllr Christine Hulme (Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Lifelong Learning & Skills, Slough Borough Council); Colette Sharp (Partnership Development Manager, SEGRO); Cllr James Swindlehurst (Leader of the Council, Slough Borough Council); Stephen Brown (Chief Operating Officer, Slough Borough Council); James Craddock, Managing Director – Thames Valley, SEGRO; Neil Impiazzi (Partnership Development Director, SEGRO)

Councillor James Swindlehurst at Slough Borough Council, said:

“SEGRO has been a leading example of a responsible business throughout its 102 year history in Slough. They have worked in partnership with the Council on various projects for the local community over the years, but we welcome the strengthening of this work via the direction, vision and certainty of themes provided in the new community investment plan. Slough Borough Council is pleased to support the launch of the plan and we look forward to working with SEGRO and our community on its delivery going forward.”

SEGRO has already secured the support of a number of Slough Trading Estate customers, suppliers and partners to help deliver the community investment plan including Virgin media, O2, City Fibre, Montmartre Patisserie, Karl Storz, Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce and Divine Musiq, Wates, Hestons, Calibre and Business Watch. These organisations have stepped forward because they too see the value of supporting the programme from a social value and business improvement perspective. SEGRO would also welcome the opportunity to work with other businesses in Slough to maximise the benefits of the Community Investment Plan.

SEGRO’s Community Investment Plans include national partnerships with charities such as Groundwork, which focus on delivering skills programmes to support routes into employment, particularly via working on local green space projects, and Shaw Trust, a social purpose organisation focused on breaking down barriers to enable social mobility.

The project was launched at 350 Edinburgh Avenue, Slough Trading Estate, and included stands from Learning to Work, Groundwork South, Local Supply Chain and FEDCAP.

Notes to editors:

About SEGRO

SEGRO is a UK Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), listed on the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Paris, and is a leading owner, manager and developer of modern warehouses and industrial property. It owns or manages 9.6 million square metres of space (103 million square feet) valued at £21.3 billion serving customers from a wide range of industry sectors. Its properties are located in and around major cities and at key transportation hubs in the UK and in seven other European countries.

For over 100 years SEGRO has been creating the space that enables extraordinary things to happen. From modern big box warehouses, used primarily for regional, national and international distribution hubs, to urban warehousing located close to major population centres and business districts, it provides high-quality assets that allow its customers to thrive.

A commitment to be a force for societal and environmental good is integral to SEGRO’ purpose and strategy. Its Responsible SEGRO framework focuses on three long-term priorities where the company believes it can make the greatest impact: Championing Low-Carbon Growth, Investing in Local Communities and Environments and Nurturing Talent.