_ESG ambassador stories: From Indonesia to Notting Hill
We interviewed Shaun Terry, Partner in the Notting Hills Sales Office, to discuss his interest in ESG and how this has had an impact on his role.
What drove your interest in ESG?
You can’t help but be moved by David Attenborough’s brilliant documentaries. We’ve all seen them on TV. It’s ‘Blue Planet’ that has a personal connection to me.
Before I started my career as an estate agent, I was an open-water diving instructor in Indonesia for a couple of years. Whilst there, I saw first-hand the harm to the coral reefs, which were becoming more bleached yearly. I’m passionate about the environment and conscious that the built environment relies heavily on natural resources – from resource consumption and sustainable materials to wasteful practices.
I was inspired last year when Sarah Beattie introduced ESG to the Notting Hill team. It sparked this dormant drive in me from my background as a diving instructor, and I realised how I could join the firm’s mission to make a positive difference.
I am certain that with our accumulated efforts, we can make a positive impact. But we won’t get there on our own.
Making a difference to ESG in the workplace
When selling houses in Notting Hill, I can advocate for sustainable adjustments. This includes ensuring the properties are adequately insulated, advising on energy efficiency measures, and exploring the possibility of renewables. For instance, improving your home’s EPC rating could increase its value by as much as 20%, analysis by Knight Frank found.
When working with clients, I’ll signpost to other teams at Knight Frank or highlight government guidance and information on grants. Some of my clients don’t know that home energy-improvement grants are available from the UK government, so it’s great to be able to help people consider these.
The view on green residential properties
In the next decade, I believe green premiums become available for those with more sustainable properties. We are starting to see cases where houses on the same street achieve better prices because they are more energy efficient. Knight Frank Research found that buyers are increasingly looking at 'greener homes' to help cut their energy bills. Due to this, they receive increased attention from buyers. This will only increase as more green mortgage products become available.
Recent extreme weather, from flooding to heat waves, is causing more individuals to consider the impact of climate change on their homes. In 2021, we experienced a flash flood in Notting Hill, leaving several streets with serious flood damage. This has caused local buyers to be more aware of a recurrence in the future.
An ESG resolution for 2023
I’ve started to cycle to work to keep my carbon footprint low but to go the extra mile, I will avoid all flights this year. If I do take a flight, I choose to offset my carbon footprint by using tree-planting programmes. For instance, in 2022, I planted 100 trees in Australia when I flew to Ibiza, Spain.
What is the global ESG Ambassador Network at Knight Frank?
At Knight Frank, we are committed to championing sustainable practices within real estate, ensuring we are in the best position to advise and deliver on sustainable agendas. Our team of ESG Ambassadors play a crucial role in helping us to transform the way we think about sustainability at Knight Frank.
Our Ambassadors are helping us to embed these principles across our business, so we can set clear ESG goals and be in the best position to advise our clients.
Want to know more about ESG? Listen to Knight Frank's Head of ESG Consulting Jonathan Hale, property writer Patrick Gower, and Knight Frank's Global Head of Research, Liam Bailey, discuss Mr Skidmore's report, and to explore the challenges ESG presents in both commercial and residential markets. Listen to the podcast.