2024 Award Winner’s Spotlight: Large Consultancy of the Year

Arcadis Consulting (UK) Ltd

This award was sponsored by:

Arcadis, in their pursuit of enhancing the quality of life while championing nature-positive projects, has achieved significant milestones in 2023. Noteworthy accomplishments include obtaining outline planning permission for Otterpool Park, a project committed to delivering 20% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), evidencing environmental net gain via the EBN tool for which it has been a trial project since 2018 and delivering largely nature-based nutrient neutrality. Their collaboration with National Highways and local land managers resulted in the delivery of over 2000 biodiversity units, showcasing the value of offsetting. Additionally, Coed Elai Business Park’s redesign earned them commendation at the Brownfield Awards for creating valuable brownfield habitats and wetlands.

Their longstanding involvement in Sizewell C demonstrates exemplary mitigation efforts, including wetland creation and badger management, aligning with nature-positive principles. Arcadis has also played a pivotal role in innovative designs for HS2, incorporating no net loss GIS dashboards and green bridges, leaving a lasting ecological legacy.

Furthermore, Arcadis has been instrumental in promoting and delivering nature-based solutions (NbS), such as constructed wetlands and wet woodlands for catchment based phosphate removal across Wales. Their carbon reduction initiatives, commitment to science-based targets, and renewable energy adoption underline their dedication to environmental sustainability. They are NbS carbon reduction innovators with sustainability trackers for major projects driving carbon reduction. The carbon management policy drives changes throughout our company, clients and supply chain, with a Science Based Target Initiative pledge a key part of the Race to Zero campaign. The company is on track for its global targets to achieve net zero by 2035, halving emissions by 2028, transitioning the entire company fleet to electric by 2030 and have renewable energy across all offices.

In addition to project accomplishments, Arcadis has been proactive in knowledge sharing and capacity building. They participated in COP28, delivered training on environmental net gain, and contributed to various conferences and publications.

They are committed to investing in the experts of tomorrow and mentoring their career development and progression. The company’s grow, perform, succeed process drives training and monitors advancement. Personal development plans support career advancement, transparent promotions processes ensure equal opportunities. Training and mentoring provide a strong platform for development monitored by a competency matrix and driven by CIEEM competency to which our promotion progressed is linked.

Internal training programmes cover a wide range of topics, ensuring staff development and competence enhancement. External training sessions attended by colleagues reflect their commitment to staying abreast of industry developments.

Arcadis’s influence extends beyond project delivery to legislative and policy spheres, contributing to the growth and diversification of the profession. Moreover, their active involvement with CIEEM showcases their dedication to professional standards and industry advancement.

They provide pro bono services to charities and community groups, exemplifying their commitment to societal well-being. In 2023, members of their team supported the Urban gardening charity GrowtoKnow (with pro bono ecological and arboricultural advice and surveying), the Canal and Rivers Trust and the Treehouse School for Ambitious about Autism. All of their ecologists have a charity day and over 90% use this time to support nature, sustainability and wellbeing.

In summary, Arcadis’s achievements in 2023 underscore its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility. Through their project work, knowledge sharing initiatives, and community engagement, they continue to make significant contributions towards creating a more sustainable and resilient future.