2025 was another busy year for Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd (SBS).
We are proud our energy efficiency, low-carbon heating and microgeneration schemes help reduce fuel poverty, enabling thousands to enjoy improved living conditions and healthier homes across the UK.
As we look forward to what 2026 will bring, we reflect on just some of the highlights from 2025, including new project and client wins, new partnerships, supporting community initiates, award success and more.
January
We started the year with significant impact as SBS signed the West Yorkshire Strategic Climate Environment Partnership Memorandum of Understanding.
Along with other strategic partners, SBS will be playing a key role in Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin’s ambitions to hit net zero by 2038. The shared vision is to become “greener, quicker” by delivering decarbonisation at scale, and this collaboration marked an exciting step in accelerating the region’s transition.
Read more here: https://www.sustainablebuildinguk.com/sbs-sign-the-west-yorkshire-strategic-climate-environment-partnership-memorandum-of-understanding/
February
In February, we launched our new Careers website. The website provides a platform to showcase and list live vacancies across all of our purpose-led businesses – including SBS and sister companies Sustainable Energy Services, Sustainable Smart Technologies Ltd, and Permarock Products Ltd – with a view to support people in growing their sustainable careers.
View our new Careers website here: www.sustainable-careers.co.uk
March
In March we were thrilled to win Best Social Housing-led Retrofit Programme at the prestigious Retrofit Academy Awards 2025 for our project with Rykneld Homes. This achievement highlighted the real, positive impact of our long-standing partnership.
Read more here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sustainable-building-services-uk-ltd_rykneldsbspartnership-activity-7302977894081851392-MW2H/
April
In April, we promoted from within by appointing Daniel Owens, a long-standing SBS team member, as regional director and the sixth addition to our board.
Since joining the business ten years ago as a quantity surveyor, Daniel earned a series of promotions, ultimately now joining the senior leadership team.
Read what Daniel had to say on his promotion here: https://www.sustainablebuildinguk.com/new-regional-director-daniel-owens-joins-the-board/
May
North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC) secured Local Grant funding to help homeowners and private landlords reduce their energy use and enjoy warmer, healthier homes. SBS played a key role in securing the initiative, appointed as principal contractor/turnkey provider for the upgrades including insulation, solar PV installations, and other energy-saving improvements.
As part of this, our team launched the Warm Homes North-East Derbyshire website, creating accessible guidance for residents and giving the Council a strong foundation to roll out the scheme confidently.
You can explore the initiative here: https://www.warmhomes-nederbyshire.co.uk
This is now one of a number of Warm Homes: Local Grant schemes being managed by SBS, totalling £20m+ and helping over a thousand households, such as those also with Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council and Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.
June/July
June and July were action-packed as SBS exhibitied at Housing 2025, one of the sector’s largest events, with over 9,000 attendees and 350 exhibitors. The atmosphere reflected a sector committed to improving people’s lives through long-term funding and strategic retrofit initiatives.
SBS Owner and Chair, Derek Horrocks described this as: “For the first time in a long time, through the Warm Homes Plan, we’re seeing long-term funding aligned with long-term ambition. That kind of certainty is essential — not just in the decarbonisation space but the sector as a whole.”
Additionally, Sustainable Investments Limited – SBS’s parent company – placed 11th at the prestigious Ward Hadaway North West Fastest 50 Awards, up from 15th place the previous year. This award recognises the 50 fastest-growing, privately-owned, profitable companies in the North West, reflecting the dedication and momentum of our team.
Read more about this fantastic achievement here: https://www.sustainablebuildinguk.com/sustainable-investments-ranks-in-north-wests-fastest-50-for-second-consecutive-year/
August/September
SBS welcomed the UK Government’s Spending Review, reaffirming the £13.2 billion Warm Homes Plan. SBS Owner and Chair, Derek Horrocks highlighted the plan’s potential to deliver large-scale upgrades such as insulation, heat pumps, and solar panels for millions of households, cutting bills by around £600 annually while supporting green jobs and strengthening the supply chain.
Read more about the plan here: https://www.sustainablebuildinguk.com/sbs-responds-to-warm-homes-plan-commitment-in-spending-review/
October
SBS highlighted the importance of creating safe, healthy homes during Damp and Mould Awareness Week in October. Our retrofit programmes across the UK improve energy efficiency, comfort, and wellbeing for thousands of residents.
Sustainable Smart Technologies Ltd, our sister company, uses data-driven technology to monitor mould, damp, and air quality, providing actionable insights to improve living conditions.
Read the thoughts of our Owner and Chair, Derek Horrocks, on the importance of maintaining healthy, well-ventilated homes: https://www.sustainablebuildinguk.com/raising-awareness-of-damp-and-mould-to-protect-healthier-homes/
November
In November, Our Owner and Chair, Derek Horrocks spoke at two leading industry events – Construction News RE:NEW Retrofit in Focus and Homes UK.
Both events looked at how to scale up retrofit in a more collaborative and strategic manner, while tackling what can be done to tackle the key issues of the industry.
Discover our key takeaways from the events here: https://www.sustainablebuildinguk.com/key-takeaways-from-construction-news-renew-retrofit-in-focus-and-homes-uk/
December
In December, SBS were the headline sponsor of the prestigious annual National Home Decarbonisation Group (NHDG) and the National Insulation Association (NIA) Parliamentary Reception at the House of Lords.
The event was hosted by Lord Best and featured insightful contributions from a range of speakers, including SBS Owner and Chair, Derek Horrocks, also Chair of both the NHDG and NIA. We were also pleased to see Minister Martin McCluskey in attendance, reinforcing the importance of continued collaboration between government and industry.
You can read more about the Parliamentary Reception here: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7404899212225630208
As 2025 drew to a close, SBS were again delighted to help one of the many social and community initiatives we look to support with the Efficiency East Midlands’ Christmas Community Event. SBS donated vital supplies to two local food banks, The Trussell Trust Food Bank and Bassetlaw Food Bank to help families during the festive season. Our Senior Business Development Manager, Robin Evans, was on hand to deliver the much-needed donations.
You can see more about SBS’ donation here: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7400184804769476608
2025 reminded us that opportunities are not just found; they are created through collaboration, innovation, and a relentless commitment to our mission. From award-winning retrofit projects and strengthened partnerships to community support and driving the UK’s decarbonisation goals, it has been a remarkable year for SBS. We are excited to see what 2026 brings!
