Regional accountancy firm Bishop Fleming has again achieved sizeable reductions in its use of paper, energy and company cars despite the business’s continued growth.
The firm, which also gained ‘plastic-free champion’ status last year, has now saved the annual equivalent of 155 trees by cutting the use of paper compared to where it stood when it started its environmental scheme in 2012. 
The figure is a major improvement on the previous year’s total of 110 trees.
The firm also achieved a 11.6% reduction in its electricity and gas usage last year, during which it celebrated its centenary. Its average mileage per employee also fell.
The continual improvement achieved over recent years comes despite Bishop Fleming, which has the largest of its seven offices in Bristol, twice being named as Britain’s fastest-growing accountancy firm.
The firm employs around 370 people across its office network, which stretches from Truro to Worcester.
Part of the environmental savings last year came from the relocation of its founding Torquay office.
The move has enabled the firm to create an agile, contemporary, environmentally friendly workspace for its staff but it has also resulted in a 34% reduction in gas and electricity due to the efficiency of the more-modern building.
The firm is also relocating its Bristol office from Queen Square to 10 Templeback, a move that is likely to trigger more environmental savings.
Bishop Fleming was recognised as a ‘plastic-free champion’ by conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage six months ago for the dramatic reduction of single-use plastics across the business.
Bishop Fleming director Ewan McClymont said: “Our environmental aspirations are very much at the heart of our core values, which includes doing the right thing.
“There is still much more that we can do to minimise our impact on the environment, but it is encouraging to see a reduction across our three key metrics, as well as a team effort to drive down our use of plastics.”
The firm was also awarded ‘Business of the Year’ at the 2019 British Chamber Awards and is ranked in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For.
