Member Article

Sally Hancox, Gentoo Green

Sally Hancox is the director of Gentoo Green, which is dedicated to supporting the actions of housing provider the Gentoo Group. In her role Sally is responsible for a team of individuals who work towards improving the Groups environmental performance. She is a well respected contributor to a number of sustainable housing forums, and was recently appointed to the UKGBC policy committee.

As I speak to Sally Hancox about her achievements at Gentoo, what really strikes me is her humility. Dedication to her role as director of Gentoo Green is what led her to be nominated for an MBE, but throughout out conversation, she mentions the tireless efforts of her staff, rather than her own achievements.

“When I started working at Gentoo over four and a half years ago, it was basically about making Gentoo greener by engaging employees to reduce the company’s impact on the environment.” Sally recounts.

Since then her work has had an enormous impact. She is unafraid to try new things, and has played an instrumental part in the implementation of a range of sustainability activities across the Group. While her explanation is simple it is clear that the work has had a positive impact for many residents.

“We began by engaging in some retrofit work to make homes more energy efficient - looking at energy consumed, carbon out out, the cost of running the house and what people felt about the changes.

“Some people now spend less, others spend the same - but that extra heat can make them feel so much better. Ultimately its about much more than the environment, as it also helps people to improve their lifestyles.”

She now regularly contributes to a range of Environmental Forums, and is in talks with the Government about the Green Deal, and how this will work in the social housing sector. Another of Sally’s priorities is now to work towards commercialising Gentoo Green.

“We are now in the process of forming a new strategy, which will go to the board for approval in March and will consist of four elements.” She explains. “The strategic influences of what we’ve learnt, how to make Gentoo even greener, the benefits which can be passed on to customers, and how we can start thinking about making money from the scheme.

“We are now aiming to make Gentoo into a commercial entity, as this will allow us to improve the quality of life of many more people.”

While Sally and her team have been nominated for a number of awards for their efforts, when asked about her favourite part of her jobs, she is forthcoming with her answer.

“I love meeting people - from the Minister for Climate Change to the pensioner living in Auckland Homes who has just learnt to use her PV panel.

“I also work with some great people, and it’s great to come to work with a team who feel as strongly about Gentoo Green as I do.”

Indeed, they no doubt share her sentiments, especially the person who nominated Sally for her forthcoming MBE.

Describing the moment she found out, she commented: “I couldn’t believe it - I was absolutely speechless.

“What really hit me was the fact that someone had actually put me forward for it, which was incredibly humbling as its rather an onerous submission. I still don’t even know who put me up for it!

“I shall be very proud to represent Gentoo when i go to the Palace on the 29th February.”

Sally is now keen to move forward in the same vein - “I’d love to do what we’re doing, but on a bigger scale and take people along with us.

“It’s not rocket science - it’s just about joining the dots up and adding more value. It’s a great thing to do and we can make a difference, even if it doesn’t always seem possible, it is.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .