Bank of Scotland Coprorate's Specialised Industry Finance (SIF) team appoints Carbon Catalysts

Seven workshops which took place earlier in 2008 have helped make great strides forward in the way nearly 150 Bank of Scotland Corporate colleagues think about climate change.

Following direction from Ceri Richards, Managing Director of SIF, a 'Carbon Catalyst' team was assembled to inspire colleagues to explore potential impacts of climate change on Bank of Scotland Corporate's SIF business.  The brief was to build on the success of a 2007 sustainability workshop which found new ways to engage with customers and assess their carbon footprint.

The team involved the Low Carbon Culture Company, National Energy Foundation and Futerra to really get people thinking about what SIF might look like in the future. Over 93% of participants said the workshops were ‘useful and worthwhile’.

“The workshops were aimed at creating awareness that climate change was a burning issue at many levels,” says Robin Oram, Technical Director, Infrastructure Finance, who headed up the 'Carbon Catalyst' team. “Our brief was to encourage colleagues to engage, and help shape our business by proposing effective ideas responding to climate change.”

Sixteen colleagues from the Bank's SIF team have now volunteered to become ‘Carbon Catalysts’, championing the cause and helping influence with integrity.  

“The 'Carbon Catalysts' have a clear mandate to enhance the way we do business, says Head of CR, Ty Jones. “I'm delighted by the success of these workshops which demonstrate how Bank of Scotland Corporate colleagues are really motivated to look at things differently".