Our CSR policy involves:

• Local businesses and charities in the community;
• The environment;
• Our clients;
• Our suppliers ;and
  
• Our employees.

We manage our CSR policy through a CSR Team. Our CSR Team meets quarterly to review and report on CSR activities across the Firm. The CSR is structured to encourage participation across the Firm.

"We take our corporate responsibility seriously by active participation in the wider community as individuals and as a Firm."
Ian Daniells, Chief Executive

Please click on link to view further information and photos for projects Ashfords have recently been involved in.

We believe that the choices we make in the purchase and use of products and services can have a significant impact on the environment. In our purchasing decisions, we recognise the need to carry out such activities in an environmentally responsible manner.

Wherever we reasonably can, we will strive to purchase goods that are:

• Environmentally preferable in terms of production, delivery, use and disposal;
• Ethically sound where such alternatives are reasonably available e.g. fair trade goods;
• Locally produced, to support the local economy and reduce transportation;
• We will include such considerations in our assessment of suppliers and their products with the aim to encourage suppliers to investigate and introduce environmentally friendly processes and products at competitive prices; and
  
• In assessing the environmental impact of goods and services, in addition to the usual value for money and fitness for purpose considerations, we will also take into account:
• Energy efficiency
• Ethical considerations
• Type, sustainability and source of raw materials
  
• Pollution caused in production-stage and in future use
  
• Durability and capacity for repair and upgrade.

Ashfords is member of the following local environmental groups:

• Envision
  
  Envision runs a number of events and manages the Exeter Resource Efficiency Club (REC). As part of this group, Ashfords meet with other businesses and attends environmental topic based workshops. These include subjects such as waste, recycling, energy efficiency, etc.
  
  
  
• Sowton Transport Management Association (Sowton TMA)
  Ashfords meets with other businesses within Sowton and Exeter Business Park to discuss sustainable transport issues, assist other businesses with Green Travel Plans, etc.
  
  
• Sowton Forum
  This forum includes all businesses based on the Sowton Industrial Estate and Exeter Business Park. The businesses meet to discuss general issues on and around the estate. This includes environmental issues relating to transport, improvements to the local area and sharing knowledge on any related issues.
  
  
• DEBI
  DEBI stands for the Devon Environmental Business Initiative. This organisation works to inform, support and motivate businesses, of all sizes and from all sectors, in Devon to adopt environmentally sound and profitable business policies and achieve environmental best practice.
  
  
• BETS
  BETS stands for the Bristol Environmental Technologies and Services project; an initiative set up by Bristol City Council to encourage the development of environmental technologies and services in the Bristol area through partnerships and networks.
  
  
• REGEN SOUTH WEST
  Regen SW is the sustainable energy agency for South West England. Regen's mission is to speed up the transition to a low-carbon economy in South West England, by unlocking sustainable-energy business opportunities, accelerating the uptake of the region's renewable energy resources and championing effective energy-demand-reduction initiatives in the region.