MBA Change Management project with Clegg Group
Clegg Group is a privately owned company that has been delivering solution-focused construction projects for over 90 years. Clegg work across a wide range of sectors including food and drink processing and manufacturing, warehousing and logistics, residential, education, healthcare, industrial and much more. The Group’s head office is based in Nottingham’s historic Lace Market.
Clegg have worked in partnership with Nottingham Trent University on two significant design and build projects over the last four years, including the construction of the university’s award-winning Lyth Building as well as a three-storey, 191-bed student accommodation complex on the Brackenhurst campus. Both projects achieved a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ in testament to their highly sustainable finishes.
Background
In response to a LinkedIn post from Nottingham Trent University (NTU) calling for a report on carbon emissions in heritage buildings, Clegg saw an opportunity to delve deeper into their sustainability practices, characterised by operations in various locations with diverse supply chains. With a strong foundation in sustainable design techniques, including multiple BREEAM-accredited schemes delivered over the last decade, Clegg recognised the importance of further reducing their carbon footprint.
Implementation of recommendations
To explore ways of achieving their sustainability goals, Clegg joined forces with a team of four students from Nottingham Business School (NBS) - Lucy, Guv, James, and Scott. This talented team adopted a comprehensive approach to assess Clegg’s current sustainability practices and culture.
They engaged in insightful conversations with various departments, conducted on-site evaluations at Clegg's head office and its Florence Boot Hall site at the University of Nottingham, and involved all employees through a questionnaire. Armed with a wealth of data, the team presented their findings and recommendations to Clegg Group in an assessed presentation.
The impact
In their presentation, the team’s findings demonstrated that sustainability needed to be integrated into the very fabric of Clegg’s culture. As a result, the company pledged to place greater emphasis on sustainability matters at all levels of the organisation. This commitment fostered increased awareness and encouraged day-to-day discussions of sustainable practices within the company.
Moreover, Clegg embraced the team's recommendations wholeheartedly and expressed enthusiasm for implementing positive, sustainable changes across their divisions - Clegg Construction and Clegg Food Projects. The company's willingness to proactively address their carbon emissions and other sustainability challenges promised to make a significant impact on their environmental footprint.
The student experience
For the students from NBS, this collaboration was an invaluable experience that went beyond textbooks and theoretical concepts. Engaging with a real-world business-like Clegg allowed them to witness sustainability practices in action and understand the challenges and opportunities that arise in an enterprise setting.
The students appreciated the opportunity to interact with various departments, employees, and top-level management during their data-gathering process. These interactions provided them with a deeper understanding of how sustainability initiatives are perceived and implemented within a large organisation.
The chance to contribute meaningfully to Clegg Group's sustainability journey through their assessed presentation filled the students with a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Knowing that their insights and recommendations could lead to tangible changes inspired them to continue their pursuit of sustainable practices in their future careers.
Conclusion
The collaboration between Nottingham Business School and Clegg exemplifies the power of education, collaboration, and sustainability-driven values. By focusing on background research, implementing effective recommendations, measuring the impact, and nurturing a transformative student experience, this partnership has set a precedent for sustainable practices in the enterprise sector. As the journey towards a greener future continues, both organisations are committed to leaving a positive environmental legacy for generations to come.