As we publish our latest Environment, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) report, it feels like the right moment to pause and reflect on what has been a pivotal year for Corps Security.
With clear targets set and robust data collection systems in place, 2024 became the year we could truly measure our progress and see the tangible results of our ESG commitments. The outcomes have reinforced our belief that the more we do, the more we discover – and the more there is to achieve.
Gold-standard reporting and environmental progress
Perhaps the headline achievement this year has been earning Gold certification from Neutral Carbon Zone – a recognition that reflects the comprehensive nature of our emissions reporting across all scopes.
The numbers themselves are promising. We’ve achieved a 7.15% reduction in total emissions compared to our 2023 baseline, with particularly strong progress in Scope 1 emissions (down 14.44%) and Scope 2 emissions (down 14.90%).
Key to this has been the transformation of our fleet. 15 out of 42 company vehicles are now electric or hybrid, up from just four in 2023. Our Glasgow and Bristol offices now run on green energy tariffs, and we’ve installed EV charging points at our London and Glasgow locations.
One of our most significant discoveries came from a survey to help us understand our commuting and homeworking footprint, which accounts for nearly half of our total emissions. Through 2024, thanks in part to this increased understanding, these emissions fell by 18.70%, with initiatives like expanding our Cycle to Work scheme limit to £1,000 proving popular.
Building stronger communities
On the social front, we’ve deepened our community-based commitments in ways that go beyond our already strong veteran support heritage.
Nearly 99% of our colleagues now earn at or above the Real Living Wage, and every single bid we submit meets this standard as it speaks to our belief that good security starts with fairly paid, valued people.
Our Corps Together initiative has evolved from aspiration to embedded practice. For the first time, we published a comprehensive ED&I Survey and Action Plan Report, giving us new insight into our workforce. The findings revealed both our strengths and our challenges – from our diverse ethnic representation (44% of respondents from minority ethnic backgrounds) to areas where we need to do better, particularly around gender representation in our male-dominated industry.
Some of our most meaningful progress has come through targeted support networks. Head Room, our mental health support group specifically for men in security, addresses the unique challenges faced by colleagues in our industry. Meanwhile, our Disability Buddy System pairs colleagues with lived experience of disabilities with new starters.
Meanwhile, participation in our diversity networks has grown by 50% over the past year, with particularly strong growth in our Women’s and Pride networks.
Putting our money where our values are through ethical procurement
As a Social Enterprise, we understand that every purchasing decision is an opportunity to create a positive impact.
This year, our spend with social enterprises grew by 88%. Behind that statistic are real partnerships that align with our values. For example, our 675% increase in spend with Brightkidz means our new starter welcome packs now feature sustainable, high-quality educational resources focused on workplace safety and wellbeing. Our 51% increase with Clean for Good, meanwhile, supports an ethical office cleaning company that, like us, pays the Real Living Wage.
Our newly established Supplier Diversity Programme is already showing results, with over 55% of our suppliers owned by individuals from underrepresented groups. It’s early days, but it shows how systematic approaches to ethical procurement can drive meaningful change.
Governance that drives real operational change
The evolution of our ESG Scrutiny Group has been transformative. Once an oversight body, it is now a central driver of operational change, influencing everything from travel policies to procurement practices.
This integration extends beyond environmental measures into practical safety governance. Our Health & Safety Advocates programme now reflects broader ESG thinking, with updated company vehicle policies, enhanced stress management protocols, and improved accident reporting procedures that align with our environmental and social commitments.
Looking ahead
As we reflect on 2025, we’re proud of the progress we’ve made, but we’re also realistic about the journey ahead. The security industry continues to face challenges around gender representation, with women making up just 15.4% of our workforce. We’re committed to addressing these systemic issues by working collaboratively with industry partners, clients and colleagues.
Our ambitions for 2025-2026 are bold. We seek to host our first ED&I conference, develop science-based targets for emissions reduction and launch a comprehensive veteran engagement programme.
Why does this matter?
At its heart, our ESG journey is about ensuring that our 166-year heritage of service remains relevant and impactful in a rapidly changing world. We’re proving that a company with deep historical roots can be at the forefront of modern sustainability practices.
The feedback from our colleagues tells us we’re on the right track. In our latest Your View Matters survey, 73% of colleagues feel proud to work for Corps and would recommend us as a good place to work – up from 70% the previous year. Understanding of our Social Enterprise significance increased by 12%, and perception that we actively promote ED&I grew by 11%.
As we look towards the future, we don’t want to simply maintain our position as the UK’s oldest security company. We’re building its most sustainable future, and that’s something worth celebrating.
