RICS in Scotland scoops ethical
accolade
Our Edinburgh office has become the first workplace
in Scotland to be awarded the prestigious Fairplace
Award®.
At a time when businesses must demonstrate that they
are part of a wider society, Fairplace is a comprehen-
sive accreditation which aligns good ethics with best
practice across finance, procurement, HR, and facili-
ties management as part of core business planning.
We moved into 125 Princes Street almost three years
ago, from its former split-level offices in an A-listed
townhouse in Edinburgh’s Manor Place. The new office
was designed to deliver a transformational workspace,
bringing staff together in a bespoke, open-plan envi-
ronment that would act as a hub for staff and mem-
bers, while offering facilities for conferences and other
events.
The accolade is a second first in Scotland for the Princ-
es Street office, which also earned a gold SKA rating
for the sustainable nature of the fit-out. The Fairplace
Award® is also the third for RICS, with our London
and Coventry offices previously receiving the accredi-
tation.
Notable activity across the year
Agreement with suppliers of staff employed to manage
the workplace (ie cleaners, security and waiting staff)
that they will be paid the living wage as stated by the
Living Wage Foundation.
Enacting policies, targets and monitoring of its GHG
emissions/carbon footprint and to increase the recy-
cling of waste year-on-year for the office.
Strong culture and policies promoting diversity, inclu-
sion and wellbeing.
Staff are provided a team volunteering day per year.
Discounts on room hire for charities.
Energy provided to the office comes from 92% renew-
ables.
Commitment to a 3% decrease in energy use year-on-
year.
To be the first workplace in Scotland to win a fairplace
Award® is a real honour, and recognises the thought
and planning that went into the office, our working en-
vironment and practices. Our intention when design-
ing 125 Princes Street was to deliver a flagship office
that would revolutionise the working environment
for everyone who used it, and this award is a ringing
endorsement of that vision.
David Lamont, Facilities Co-ordinator at 125 Princes
Steet
I’m delighted that our office has won this recognition
— all credit to David Lamont for his hard work on
this. The team who worked on the planning and design
of the office in 2013–14 also must be congratulated on
a first-class job. It really is a joy to work in such a mod-
ern and efficient work space and it has undoubtedly
had a positive impact on all the staff who work here.
Gail Hunter, RICS Regional Director, Scotland