Lendlease

Lendlease collected its ‘Net Zero Hero’ Award, sponsored by NOCN, at the appropriately green Barbican Conservatory this week, the location for the Get the Nation Learning Awards this year. The awards panel chose Lendlease for their work in creating routes to employment for Newham learners and supporting Newham’s net zero goals at the same time. The organisation is an example to other employers for going beyond corporate social responsibility to fully embed skills development into the fabric of its projects. Learners, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds and with special educational needs and disabilities, are supported to achieve personal and professional goals through tailored programmes and supported internships, creating pathways to jobs. Learners gain insights into sustainable urban development, a crucial element of the Government’s plan to reduce the UK’s net emissions by 100% by 2050 compared with 1990 levels. Reducing emissions through residential buildings is a key lever for this and Lendlease’s work as a real estate business was seen to show how this can be achieved through investment in people, skills and communities, supporting both national targets and Newham’s own Net Zero and ‘Fairer Newham’ strategies.

The Get the Nation Learning Campaign was launched in May 2025 and aims to make and win the case for lifelong learning. This week is Get the Nation Learning Week, an opportunity for the campaign’s supporters to promote the benefits of learning on economy and the society.

Andrea Ruckstuhl, Managing Director for Development in the UK and Italy at Lendlease, said:
“At Lendlease we believe that sustainable development is not just about buildings; it’s about people, skills, and opportunity. And this award reflects our commitment to embedding learning and inclusive employment pathways into the heart of regeneration. By working closely with Our Newham Learning and Skills, we’re helping to equip local communities with the green and digital skills they need to thrive in a net zero future. It’s a powerful example of how collaboration can drive both social impact and environmental progress.”

Graham Hasting-Evans, Chief Executive at NOCN, sponsors of the award, said:
“We’re thrilled that Lendlease has won the Net Zero Hero Award for its partnership with Our Newham Learning and Skills. This recognition highlights how collaborative efforts can build a future-ready workforce equipped with green skills. At NOCN Group, we’re investing in skill solutions that support the UK’s net zero ambitions, and this award shows the power of embedding skills development into sustainable urban projects. Lendlease’s approach, supporting learners from diverse backgrounds and aligning with Newham’s Net Zero and Fairer Newham strategies, is a model for how employers can create meaningful pathways into employment while driving environmental and social impact.”

Stephen Evans, Chief Executive of Learning and Work Institute, said:
“Lifelong learning is crucial in supporting local and national net zero goals, and it’s vital that people keep their skills up to date in a transitioning economy. The partnership between Lendlease and Our Newham Learning and Skills shows just how that can be done. Through this partnership, learners have been given the chance to progress in their learning and secure jobs, gaining skills that will be evermore important to our economy and society in the years to come.”

Tim Balcon, Chief Executive at CITB, said:

“Now more than ever, it’s vital we are supporting the construction industry to train, develop and retain its workforce and develop a skills system that is able to meet today’s challenges, and resilient enough to meet future needs. The Learning and Work Institute’s lifelong learning awards shine a spotlight on the very best of what the construction industry can achieve when we invest in our people. As we look to the future, it’s vital that more employers embrace lifelong learning and invest in upskilling and reskilling.”