Bristol-based outsourcing group Mitie has made a significant increase in its sustainability performance for the ninth consecutive year and strong progress towards strict targets it adopted for 2020.
Its Sustainability Report highlights initiatives such as its Women of Work network, launched during the year with the aim to raise the profile of women in the group. 
A new partnership to create greater diversity in the workplace was also established with Remploy, the provider of specialist employment services to people who experience complex barriers to work.
Mitie is one of the largest private sector employers of apprentices in the UK, with more than 1,700 in training – a 25% increase on the prior year.
Health and safety was also a top performing area for Mitie. Its Work Safe Home Safe! campaign raised awareness of safety at work and resulted in a 10% reduction in the major injury rate and a 28% reduction in the incident severity rate.
The Mitie Foundation, set up last year to focus on the group’s community engagement activities, increased overall community investment by 14% to £834,240. The group’s award-winning apprentice scheme Ready2Work helped more than 50 people to become ‘work ready’.
Mitie employs more than 7,000 people in the South West working for clients such as Bristol Airport, South West Water and the University of Exeter.
Mitie chief executive Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE said: “Sustainability is more than a business strategy, it is part of every decision we make. We are building a business that is all about long-term relationships with clients, our people and the communities in which we work. Our sustainability strategy plays a critical role in our ongoing success.”
