Property consultancy appoints new head of social value
Solihull Chamber members IM Properties have appointed a new head of social value to further strengthen and deliver sustainable futures strategy across the business.
Laura Sherlock (pictured) joins IM Properties from the Leicester and Leicestershire business and skills partnership, where she was operations lead and head of young people programmes.
She led a team delivering education, skills and employability initiatives and developed nationally recognised programmes designed to improve social mobility and create opportunities for those facing barriers to employment and education.
Laura has been involved in the Logistics Beacon programme, which brought together industry and education partners to raise awareness of the wide range of career opportunities available within the logistics sector to help address future skills needs.
In her new role, Laura will focus on initiatives supporting education and skills, economy and enterprise, and strengthening communities through the business’s key pillars of people, planet & place while helping to maximise the impact of the company's project community funds and wider sustainable futures commitments including its volunteering programme.
Rob Hemus, director of asset management and sustainability at IM Properties, said: "Laura's experience aligns perfectly with our ambition to create positive, long-term impact through the developments we deliver.
"What impressed us was her ability to bring together businesses, educators and community partners to create opportunities for people who may not otherwise have access to them.
“Her work on programmes such as Logistics Beacon demonstrates how the right partnerships can raise aspirations, support future workforce needs and create lasting social value for the people who need it most.
"As we continue to deliver major employment developments, Laura's experience will be invaluable in helping us further strengthen and shape our social value legacy and ensure local communities benefit from the opportunities our projects create."
Laura said: "IM Properties has a strong reputation for creating developments that deliver benefits far beyond the built environment, and that was a major factor in my decision to join the business.
"What particularly attracted me was the authenticity of its Sustainable Futures strategy. It's clearly driven by a genuine commitment to creating positive outcomes for people, places and the environment, and that commitment is reflected in the way the business operates and the partnerships it builds.
"Throughout my career I have been passionate about helping people access opportunities they may not otherwise have considered.
“I'm excited to work alongside colleagues, communities and partners to help deliver initiatives that create lasting positive impact."
The appointment forms part of IM Properties' ongoing investment in its Sustainable Futures strategy, which focuses on delivering meaningful social, economic and environmental benefits.